The Tragic Death of Corporate
Man
a hero for
capitalism;
champion of the
working class
by Tom Landaluce
Section 5:
Betty Bots, Sharky,
and the Big Squeeze.
5.a.
The stairwell
glowed blue like the numbers on a digital cash register display. There were no guard rails and the steps were
backless platforms which added to the company’s unease. The most disconcerting aspect of the endless
stair was its positioning in large shaft.
It did not hug the outer wall of the chamber or curl tightly against
itself. Instead, the steps hovered at
least two feet away from the exterior walls and left a five foot void running
down the center.
The trip was
slow going. Fair Wage was winded after
the first couple of flights and frequent rests were necessary. The journey seemed to last for hours; days if
someone had bothered to ask Fair Wage.
It was even suggested that the staircase ran all the way to the top of
the building.
“The stairs
are moving,” Business Woman said.
Everyone
froze.
She was
standing a few flights below with her arm held over the drop, touching the
exterior wall.
“Well, it’s
stopped now, but when you were all climbing it felt like the wall was moving
up. This suggests that the stairs are
probably going down.”
“You’re
joking,” said Supply.
“Afraid not.”
“Oh god. How many more flights do we have to go?” Fair
Wage gasped.
“I don’t
know,” Business Woman said, “but I suggest that the majority of us stand still
while Fair Wage and Senior Executive continue the climb.”
“Wait, what?”
said Fair Wage.
“Yeah, what’s
that going to accomplish?” asked Senior Executive.
“Maybe nothing
but, in the business world, procedures are often put in place in order to screw
the majority. So when most or all of us
move, we all get screwed. If only a
couple of people move…”
After a long
pause Corporate Man said, “That actually makes sense in a ridiculous sort of
way.”
He nodded and
both Senior Executive and Fair Wage continued the climb.
“Why Fair
Wage?” asked Demand. “Shouldn’t we give
him a break?”
“Well, in all
likelihood, the stairs will move against us as soon as the majority resumes the
climb. This way Fair Wage won’t have to
mount so many steps.”
A few minutes
later Senior Executive called down, “Hey, we found it. There’s a landing up here with a door. It’s only about ten or eleven flights above
you.”
The party made
their way up to the door. The stairs
remained stationary so long as Fair Wage and Senior Executive stood on the
landing.
When they were
all gathered in front of the door Corporate Man said, “I don’t know what we can
expect on the other side, but if these stairs are any indication the
environment will not be friendly. Be
prepared and stick together.”
He reached for
the handle and opened the door.