To all,
The following is a revamp of a screen play I was in the process of writing. After my desires and hopes of standing on a stage for the movie I helped write/create, I have washed it out of my system.
I decided to take this manuscript into a story line.
I have no idea how many chapters it will be. This is an adventure in writing and so it shall be what it shall be.
And yes, the first chapter is the set up and very, very much based on the Media Moguls we have in our midst right now.
This is not based on sex, there will be inferences, but this is not geared to sex as any part of the plot. I am fleshing out the story I presented in the screen play and hope you enjoy it.
This is a story of human power struggles, greed and Karma.
"ESCAPING MY LIFE"
Chapter 1
The banging of a gavel hammers through the room.
Senator Hector Sloan sets down the gavel looks at his notes and then raises his eyes to the assembled crowd and especially the multitude of network cameras.
"The Committees on the Judiciary and Commerce, Science and Transportation will come to order. We welcome everyone to today's hearing on '
My Life
's social media privacy, the use and abuse of Data," Senator Sloan paused for effect in front of the camera.
'
Alleged
asshole,
alleged
abuse, you fucking asshole,' thought Charles from the table facing the committees Chairperson, sitting so pompous in front of the cameras.
"Although not unprecedented, this is a unique hearing. The issues we will consider range from data privacy and security to Consumer Protection and the Federal Trade Commission enforcement. We will be touching on the jurisdictions of these two committees.' Stated Chairperson Sloan.
"We have over 40 members between these two Senatorial committees, and it is significant here for a hearing in the United States Senate. We will begin with opening statements from the Chairpersons and ranking members based on seniority. We will then hear from Mr. Hensley of MyLife and his opening statement."
Charles sat back and listened to all the 'esteemed and ranking members' of such and such committee give their formal, staff created speeches. All the speeches were geared for the 10 second sound bite that will appear on their favorite old school media outlet. All twisted and word spun to be generic so as not to offend anyone but to buttress their 'give'em hell' trope.
It was finally his time to lay out a trap he hoped would better his position in the hearing.
"Chairman Sloan, Chairman Butte and esteemed and ranking members of the Committees, we face a number of important issues around privacy, safety and democracy. You will rightfully have some hard questions for me to answer. But in the spirit of democracy, I hope to have some hard questions in return." Charles paused for effect allowing the sound bite to be added to the stream of the media.
Charles turned his head and looked into the eyes of Chairman Sloan. "It has been a long time Senator since we sat in a room together. Things have changed...but in an odd way, stayed the same in those long intervening years."
Charles paused briefly, more to keep his anger in check and then continued, "In the vein of democracy and free speech Senator Sloan, I wish to disagree with one word, or lack thereof in your opening statement. I would add the word 'alleged' in front of the phrase 'abuse of data."
Charles paused again, to let the sound bites pile up.
"That is why we are here isn't it? To discuss what is abusive and what is freely given?"
And the game was on.
***
Several years in the past...
Chuck entered the quad and smiled at the bedlam. It was the beginning of the semester, and all the freshmen were on display, both with their awkwardness and their mommy-just-bought me clothes
He wound his way up the exterior staircase brushing by some sultrily dressed newbies that he knew would be bent over and taken before the night was out, by someone.
He burst into the dorm common space not paying attention to who was there. He did slowdown to kiss his fingers and put them firmly on the bottom of Ms. September 2001 on the SI swimsuit calendar...just for luck.
"Hey roomy, Welcome back Bro. Hope you had a good summer break. We have orders flooding in for fake Id's. What's the going price this semester?" asked Brian as Chuck swept by.
"That business is shut down and gone. Too little profit on investment and too high a risk," answered Chuck.
Brian gasped and Chuck heard it from across the room.
"Return on investment, Bubba, ROI," continued Chuck.
"No fucking way! We have been running this scam since junior year in HS." He paused briefly thinking of all that would be lost, "I was looking forward to that cash for beer and pussy. Why?" whined Brian
"Asked and answered...too much risk. The Administration has already put out the word that they are trying to find the 'perpetrators' of last year's wave of fakes. If we get popped this year, they will go after us for last year." Chuck responded looking in the fridge and deciding what beer to choose.
"Not worth it bro." he finished as an afterthought.
Chuck paused in the middle of the living room and tipped back the long neck, "I have other ideas in the works. No short-term cash, but the potential for real bucks. You can go give it a try with the ID's. Not like you cannot do the easy ones. Just leave me out of the drama if it comes unhooked."
Chuck heard whining from other side of the room as he took a second long pull, "You knew it was coming to an end, so quit whining and being a pussy."
"What did you do this summer to turn you into your dad? What is all this ROI...this ROI bullshit?" responded Brian very miffed at his loss of liquid income.
"Exactly, I learned something about my dad. He is not as stupid as I once thought. I got my ass drug to my dad's investment firm to fix all the computers his employees fuck'd up." Chuck paused briefly.
"But I found something...Know what? All those rich assholes are as screwed up socially as we little college kids. Helped a whole bunch of the stupid rich guys with their online dating. Man, those guys are deep in cash but stupid when it comes to on-line presence. Thought of an idea to bring it all together. Spent a lot of Dad's company's hours building a platform and now it's time to bring it to life and sell it to the college crowd."
"Is it going to bring me fame, fortune, and pussy?" smiled Brian
"That is your problem brother. I am just trying to build an empire," replied Chuck.
"Well before you build your empire and buy your mansion, can we go look at all the welcoming sorority babes. Let's go hunting and see what we can catch," enthused Brian asked.