I had a sit-down with an old friend, and it inspired the thoughts that later gelled into this little blurb of writing. I may not agree with it, in whole or part, but it inspired some neurons to move about.
"Mongol, the structure in America has changed from the ideals. Ignore the patriotic rhetoric, we're in an Oligarchy now. We have generational families of politicians. We have mega-corporations, who pass the power internally or along family lines. THOSE are the new royalty."
I sat my drink down and considered his words. "Could you expand that please?"
"We have, from one of the most backward states in the union, a sixth-generation politician, who after being governor of his state, became a congressman. He's the second in his family to be governor, first to be a senator. His grandfather was a politician, and a business mogul. His father was the same. Each first-born child in that family is groomed for succession... if they can't achieve the necessary steps to hit the planned goals, they manufacture them. Consistently."
"Unfortunately, the senator didn't have a son... he's got a daughter. She was an awful student, her true grades reflect that, but were hushed up. She got into college on false credentials, because her father is on that universities board of governors, and she was handed a diploma in... nobody knows. Her grades were consistently failing, but 'somehow,' she got a diploma. Since that state has a rather backwards distaste for female politicians, no matter their merits, her father planned things differently for her..."
"Her father got her a job in a then in-state pharmaceutical company... one of the medium sized ones... that was at that time, a bit lacking in leadership. She started there making labels for files. In a few years, thanks to political influence, she was the CEO... and she was a puppet. For her father, and certain special interests."
"That company, which was the only physical industry in that town and a lynchpin in their economy, was under her 'leadership,' gutted, sold, and moved away to foreign countries."
"Along the way, her father, the senator, profited untold riches, she herself netted at least eighteen million in a 'golden parachute' deal, and there was plenty of scandals to go around."
"Because of the scandals, the daughter had too much of a spotlight, so she wasn't of much use to her father anymore... she's in 'retirement,'... while her father has announced that he's considering a run for presidency."
"Much of that was planned. It wasn't the initial plan... that started with a first-born son being born, inheriting the sword from his father, and him becoming president. Still, the backup plans worked well, power was gathered, reputations were protected, hush contracts were used, and now some truly reprehensible people continue to move about the halls of power."
"Understand, if you deal with these people, they use the law to their advantage. They have people sign NDA's (Non-Disclosure Agreements) that are life-destroying, they restrict peoples actions, and they are liberal with the punishment... especially long-term. They USE the law to break people to their will."
He then took a drink, looking thoughtful, and considered his words.
"I know I sound like a conspiracy theorist, but this is a consistent thing now. If you even want a date, or in some cases, to talk to a scion, you have to go through certain procedures and be vetted. Then you sign contracts. Randomness is eliminated."
"Everything is planned. With backup plans. Backups for the backups. Chance is only allowed in competition, and in that is our last hope, if things don't change."
We talked a bit more, on this and other subjects, and our meeting ended positively.
But it was thought provoking.
________________________________________
I sat there, awaiting my fiancée.
She was the best thing to ever happen to me, and in another three months, we were going to be before the altar, and a huge audience, to be married.
I don't know how I snagged her. She was trifecta of amazing: rich, intelligent, and drop-dead gorgeous. She had two degrees, economics and business management. Her father owned the company she worked at, and they were very successful. She'd been a state-level beauty pageant winner.
She was going to be my wife!
I didn't care much about the money she had. She didn't have to work, let alone accomplish all the things she had. She'd done that because she had a fierce amount of drive. She was extremely goal oriented. She had her life mapped out for the next 20 years.
We'd met at a university function. I was just given tenure, and was second chair in the Business school, which was something since I was only thirty-six. I was probably going to be second chair for another fifteen years, but that was okay. I'd made my parents, both teachers themselves, incredibly proud.
Beverly had simply walked up to me after all the hubbub was over, I'd had my promotion and position announced, and introduced herself. It was strange, I consider myself mostly average in looks, unremarkable physically, but I have to say that I'm pretty smart. I was one of the youngest in my field to get my doctorate, and I had early on started a "side-business" in which I was available for consultation. I charged a hefty penny to those who could afford it, and mostly gave my advice for free to hopeful people doing startups.
Beverly walked up, extended her hand while holding a drink in the other and simply said "I'm Beverly Madison, pleased to meet you."
"Hello!" I said as we shook. "Mark Hofer, delighted to make your acquaintance. I take it you're the Ms. Madison of Madison Tech?"
"I am." She said, a little pleased to be recognized. "This is my personal assistant, Maddie Schweibel." She gestured to a smaller woman who was behind her slightly and to the side. The woman smiled at me and gave a slight nod with a finger-wave.
That introduction and short conversation led to me making an offer to be available for consultation, which she had conversationally led me to.
The first consult call happened a month later, which happened in a meeting room at one of MadTechs office buildings, with four other people. They were trying to plot out some projections, and I was familiar with what they were looking for.
That led to the second, and then the third consultation.
The third consultation led to Beverly and myself getting dinner on her expense account.
That dinner led to another dinner, without a consult in front of it.
Then I was asked to a two day tech show with her, of which she was treated like royalty, and I followed along happily. In the evenings, there was an early dinner, a visit to a museum, dancing, and real affection on our part toward each other. The only damper was her entourage, which goes everywhere with her.
Then we started going to dinner and doing things without her entourage, and things got interesting.
After a year, and much prodding on her part, I asked her to marry me, and unbelievably, she'd said yes (she knew it was coming, it was obviously her idea, she just let me think it was mine. She's cute like that, in a vicious CEO kind of way).
So here I sat, in the Micheline Star winning restaurant, awaiting the sight of her point security man Geoff, who would then give an all-clear and my bride-to-be would appear.
Five minutes before eight, I saw Geoff near the entrance, he gave me a nod and I smiled back at him. He scanned the room, I could see his lips move slightly, then he went and had a conversation with the manager.
At exactly eight, Beverly walked in. She was in her light tan pantsuit, with the white silk blouse. Her hair was done up high, she wore minimal jewelry, her makeup was tasteful, and she'd worn the two-inch heels that she favored.
Her entourage followed right behind her. Maddie gave me a big smile and small wave as she followed in Beverly's wake. The man and woman team of her security detail peeled off halfway to our table, and sat at their own, a respectful distance away. I didn't know who the other gentleman following behind Beverly was, he must be new.
As expected, Maddie sat at the table near us, within Beverly's casual speaking distance. What I didn't expect was the new gentleman followed Beverly to our table. I stood to hold Beverly's chair, but I noticed the new security man had also started to reach for her chair, presumably to do the same thing. I flashed him a smile, and he looked at me, without the usual stoic but polite expression I'm used to seeing, he actually looked slightly embarrassed.
"Hello dear." Beverly said, sending me an air kiss over her shoulder as I slid the chair under her.
"Hello gorgeous." I said in return, moving to my seat.
That's when the manager set the extra chair at our table. This was odd, as generally only Beverly and I sat at our table.
