“Liar! I know this is your doing! Stop it, now!” John cried.

“I swear to you, John. It’s not me,” Danny said.

“You’re lying!” John insisted.

Tired of John’s accusations and ramblings, Danny threw himself before the bulldozer. “What’s going on here!?”

The bulldozer halted, and a car suddenly pulled up next to it. A man in a flashy suit jumped out of the car, yelling at the bulldozer driver in frustration. “Who told you to stop! I don’t pay you to laze about! Get to work!”

“Excuse me! Just what do you think you’re doing?” Danny snapped at the man.

“Mr. Cooper?” John said, surprised.

“What? You know this guy?” Danny asked, confused.

“Yeah, he owns a chain of local stores,” John explained to Danny. “What’s going on here?” John asked Mr. Cooper.

“Hi, John. Gentlemen, you are slowing down progress. But, if it helps get you out of my way, I’ll tell you. This will be the venue of my brand new store,” Mr. Cooper explained with a smug grin.

“Are you insane? You can’t do that! This is my…” John stopped and looked at Danny, reconsidering his words. Then he continued with full conviction, “This is our property!” Danny gave him a nod, acknowledging John’s sudden change of heart and their solidarity.

“Not according to this,” Mr. Cooper said, handing John a document. Danny joined John as they both read it in awe.

“This says that you’re the rightful owner of the property. This can’t be right!” a shocked John said.

“It also says he’ll be bulldozing our houses next, John. This is ridiculous!” Danny added.

“Well, you better believe it,” Mr. Cooper said, grabbing the document and getting into his car. “And you! Tear this down!” Mr. Cooper said to the bulldozer driver. “Get your affairs in order, boys! Because your houses are next! Ready or not… Change is coming!” Mr. Cooper concluded before driving off.

“I know he’s some big-shot business owner around here, but can he really do that, John?” Danny asked John, deeply worried.

“I don’t know, Danny. Those papers looked legit,” a disheartened John said softly.

“We can’t allow him to do that, John! Think about our families. What will I tell Kevin and Cindy? What will you tell Tommy and Judy?” Danny cried desperately.

“I don’t know, man! People like Mr. Cooper make things happen! We don’t stand a chance,” John said, defeated.

“No… No… No, I don’t believe that. You make things happen, John. I’ve seen it. Remember how you rallied everyone for the barbecue? People respect you. Maybe we can convince them to help us,” Danny said. “We can save our homes, John. C’mon! What do you say?” Danny concluded, putting out his hand for a handshake. John hesitated.