Lets pretend you work in a franchise operation as a mid level kind of dude. Heck, you could swing from the top of the tree and be a branch manager, if you wish, as that much is irrelevant. What matters is there is a structure and you’re within a position where you know the guys who know the guy who runs the whole thing. He is a busy man but, according to legend, he started this whole thing from zilch and values nothing but honesty and clear feedback from those handling his biz on his behalf. Here is where it gets interesting.
You are poring over the ins and outs one day and notice the math isn’t mathing. Your business doesn’t work in mere currencies printed out of nothing. No, it deals with the fabric of life itself:
Emotions.
What you’ve noticed is an immense irregularity that seems to, somehow, keep on handing out the best to a limited section whilst the rest get a fairly equal smattering of the detritus with some occasional samples of bliss thrown in. There is another quadrant that seems to get nothing but stick without even a hint of carrot and they have the roughest time of all. Because you’re linked in you are above all of this but have a curious intent along with a sympathetic chest plus you adhere to the Prime principles of doing unto others as you’d have them do unto you. Here’s the problem:
There is no way this can be chance. You have no idea if the past was like this as those datasets are beyond your spec but, based on intuition, you comprehend that something is very, very wrong with the script. You do not know, yet, what the true cause is and thus don’t wish to present half a case and thus you keep it in the back of your mindset. You note that one of your cases is due a huge win and this makes you grin as he deserves it as he’s steered his ship through some pretty wild seas and thus the feeling of a nice breeze and some warming sun on his skill will most certainly be welcome. Fortuitously, you bump into him a few months hence and notice there is a problem as he seems immensely stressed. When questioned he responds that the mess just gets more intense but says less and keeps it moving. In the office you check his recs and, to your surprise, his credit became a debit for the same event which makes absolutely no sense so you decide to approach your branch manager. Before you can do this your secretary says he’s called for a meet and has invited you, via jet, to come to the island where the execs manage things. You can’t quite believe your luck as its a thing of legend and often means a pay elevation so you are full of pith and vinegar as you step onto the tarmac and are greeted, well.
Settling in your take in the surroundings and they are super plush. Like far beyond what you’d expect. There are others there too from various branches and they too are bowled over by the sheer luxury presented and you are all wondering what you’re doing there. The leader of operations states:
“Welcome to the island of the team of which we are requesting you become a piece“. He then launches into a spiel about how the parts make up the whole thing and how the work is mysterious and important whilst stroking the egos of all those present as hey’re about to be educated in the real ins and outs of the Game. He says:
“This is mere window dressing. A treadmill, if you will. We call it a class in session that never ends for the plebs as they’ll never comprehend and thus will not pass the test“. This is totally new news to you as, as far as you can tell, the aim of this thing was whatever the person wished. At least, thats what the charter of incorporation said. He continues:
“If the people are too stupid to rebel and accept steadily worsening conditions then its a sign we need to up the repression and withdraw privileges in order to ensure they get the lesson we’re teaching”. A glint appears in his eye. You cannot really yet, tell the depth of this message but listen, nonetheless. “You are on the cusp of something that can change your life. Not just yours but your family as well, for generations”. He hands out loads of envelopes, intricate, that contain the staff members names etched in block capital text. You open yours and discover two pieces of paper that sport an identical letterhead that looks very similar to company print except there is one difference. For now, we’ll skip this as what catches your attention is a very detailed list of every T you didn’t cross and I’s that remained undotted. “What the heck?” you said, under your breath. A quick glance around the office shows similar looks of consternation and thus the stage is set. The lights dim and another voice, unfamiliar, says:
“Understand that you would not have progressed, at all, if it had not been for us. You have all been screened and tested. As you can see we know you better than god himself and thus, for you, we are his representatives so think very carefully about your next step as there will be consequences”. He goes on to detail something that seems to make no sense to a small percent of the delegates whilst the others readily grin at the premise and promise. You remember the simple boatswain and his slip, back at the office, as the horrifying truth kicks in that you’re not only within a Matrix but that there is another, more dense, erected around it. Your mind is reeling as your heart thunders in its chest. The speaker requests you all move your attention to the next slip and sign your name against the X. Thats it. No further explanations or requirements. Stranger still, the page is blank beyond the opening statement that read:
Thats it. You turn it over and see if you’re missing something. Nope. Thats the sketch. Everyone looks perplexed. Some have already signed up and folded into the envelope as their personal inventory depth has them scared to death and, to be honest, the surroundings are a bit movie villainesque. They are removed from the table by very attractive women who take them by the hand, with a grin, and state “Welcome. This you will get, times ten, along with anything else you wish“. A few more push the pen after eyeing the temptresses that are, unbeknownst to them, perfectly specced to the fantasies and wishes of each recipient. Its like a cross between a meeting with Don Corleone at the Playboy mansion with a bit of Jekyll Island thrown in. The woman are top shelf and you have never seen such a dazzling array of flesh in all shades, hues, sizes and tones with the faces of angels and grins of devils that hint at whats coming next for the lucky recipients. There are a handful of people left. The man shrouded in darkness grins as he says:
“Ah yes, now we’re getting to the heart of the matter. If I still had one in my chest I’d say you gents are of the same ilk but that isn’t correct as I knew what was good for me and pushed the pen but can respect your hesitance. What are your questions. You all have one per person that can be asked in public or private, as you wish”. One of the triumvirate scuttles up to him and whispers in his ear. The man nods his head. The other grins, signs and hands his paperwork over with a flourish. And then there were two. You look at the other. You’ve never met but he seems decent based on his posture and bearing. He requests clarification as to what, exactly, they’re signing. You think this is a great question. Another voice responds with:
“Its the invitation to a better life. Simple as this”.
“But why does it only state-” he starts before he is interrupted with a raised hand is reminded he is only allowed to ask one question. This now places a pressure that is immense on you, the last man left. You struggle to take it all in and make sense of this predicament because, on one hand, you want what they offer but, in your chest, this feels a tad sketch and even though you don’t know the CEO the official blurb states a man of high principles and moral fiber, unquestionable. A bulb flashes in your head:
You state the boatswains reference and request clarification as to why his intended credit became a debit instead and are met with silence. Knowing the Game of who speaks first is on the losing end you decide to stand firm and see what happens. Eventually, the man at the head of the table responds and says:
“That is a very intelligent question. Very well. We take from those with less so we may have excess. Simple as this. Are you in?”.
Now you wished you’d asked if this is all above board and in full accordance with the CEOs whims. Oh how you wish there had been even one more left to ask another question as, based on the dataset, it seems Self evident the sketch involves some type of theft and misappropriation mixed with backslapping and nepotism for the in clique. You wonder how long this secret war has been raging in quiet as well as your part in this and how you didn’t spot what is now Self evident. The other man gets up and says:
“No thank you” and is walked to the exit by a burly security guard with an earpiece connected who appeared, out of darkness. And then there was one. You feel their eyes boring into you. Eventually another man says:
“You know what, I like you. It takes guts and mettle to stand this firm in the face of what we present so I’m going to allow you to ask another question but it cannot be if this is all above board and in full accordance with the CEOs whims”.
Your mind is reeling. “How the heck did he peer within my awareness to pluck out not only the exact sentence but perfect cadence?” you think. You sense something in the room shifts and it feels like wolves dressed as sheep have just shed their skins. You wonder how things went for the man that just left then you consider the pleasures of the flesh the others are engaging in at this very moment. Your family, their future and, seemingly, your life as well all hang in the balance.
What would you do next, in this sketch? Better yet, what do you think is happening and what are the implications for this intense conglomerate that has an immense amount of departments, is completely compartmentalized and seems to work like a well oiled machine as, in all the time you’ve been there, there has never, ever been a problem or cause for complaint for those working or the ones they service. Your mind is reeling at what all of this could mean and rep because, logically, either CEO is in on it and these are his whims and how he runs his business and the image he sells is all fronting and this is what actually kicks in the sausage factory or this is a breakaway operation that rules from the shadows by using an all encompassing form of corruption and manipulation. What would your question be? How would handle or decline what they’re offering? Would you shake the hand extended in friendship by these men, illustrious, who simply request your name by an X on a paper, blank, that only states you did this of your own free will?
Is it a battle of area managers Vs the CEO or is this all part of the test? Could this be an interview within an interview as you recollect, back when, there was a thing you’d seen being used during recruitment in which all of the adepts were placed in a room with a piece of paper as the regulator said:
“This is a timed test of intellect and acumen. There are as many positions as people so your only competition is with Self, in that respect. When we say go, the clock ticks and we wish you all the best”.
Everyone in the room hand tunnel vision as you heard the pencils scribbling responses to obtuse threads like:
“If this is the answer then what is the question?” and such things. To everyones surprise a man got up and walked to the front with a grin on his countenance with an air of confidence that made it seem like he hadn’t even broke a sweat and was totally certain he’d aced the test. Eventually, you would all click why this is as you, individually, get to the last bit which said:
“All of the other questions are mere filler and the only request we have is you sign your name next to the X and hand it in at the desk with no other marks present anywhere on the slip”.
Upon reaching this bit there are audible groans, yelps and shouts of discontent from the people taking the test. Some attempt to rub out the answers, provided, whilst others tear the paper to shreds to vent their frustration. The instructor turned it into a life lesson about how things may not be what they present and all is a test. Its at this moment you recollect that he is the same one who spoke the words of introduction in this session and when he sees that you click he responds with a knowing grin that states “I knew you’d get it, eventually“.
What would you do, my friend, if you were in this mans position? You have, in effect, glimpsed behind the curtain to see the code of the Matrix and it means things will never, ever be the same again. In many ways the list of indiscretions was a coded threat that showed the extent of their influence and, as for the mind reading, who the heck knows how they did this. In many ways you were more content with life before this invitation. You think of the men next door, afloat in their private islands of bliss as well as the one who left with a firm grip present on his shoulders as well as the look he gave back as he was guided to the exit. You’d never met before this but the glance spoke volumes. You may have won previous rounds of the silence Game but its them who now sit with zipped lips and ye who must formulate one question that provides the only answer worth seeking in this predicament. What is it it?
Tell me. I’m genuinely interested in not just this but hearing what you think about this predicament and its implications in this purely hypothetical trip to the shadows depth of what kicks behind the curtain.
Till we meet again
