Corporate Man is called in to investigate reports of vile, unethical business practices at Great American Business Company. What he finds there just might destroy him (except we all know the ending to The Tragic Death of Corporate Man so it should be fairly obvious that it can't really destroy him, though it can come close).

Enslaved by the Bonus Whores is an all new Corporate Man Adventure Serial. Chapters will post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

After nearly a decade of imprisonment, Corporate Man returns to find the economy in ruins and his deadliest enemies in control of all but a fraction of society's wealth. He embarks upon a quest to set right the wrongs of the business world; a task that will ultimately destroy him.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Chapter 205


7.c.xiv.
Bear Market’s body swelled like an overstuffed tick.  Supply’s head, and most of her upper arms, jutted above the trench wall.  Her body, still in the shaft below, was squeezed unnaturally in the narrow corridor.
“Demand!  You’ve got to help her!  You have to increase.  You have to grow!” Business Woman shouted.  Her hands gripped and gouged at Bear Market’s lips.  She yanked, trying to unclench his teeth and jaws.
“Do it Demand!  Now or else–”
Bear Market exploded.
A burst of blood geysered from Supply’s neck.  The initial crimson shock wave hit The Crash, spilling it into the trench.  The Crash dropped Franklin Buck as it tried to grasp the trench wall, but its hands slipped, unable to grip for all the blood.
Pieces of Bear Market rained down onto the maze and into the labyrinth; fluttering flaps of skin and chunks of matted hair-fur.  His jaw, still lodged in Supply’s neck, the source of a scarlet fountain.  Supply writhed and twisted and slowly shrank into the depths of the trench.
Business Woman lay strewn across a wall, gasping for breath, clinging to the unexpected perch.
“Help Franklin Buck,” Corporate Man shouted as he dropped down from above, necktie-cape fluttering behind him, landing near Business Woman.  He was coated with a fine spray of red mist and a shrapneling of bear meat.
“I’ve got you,” Corporate Man said, clutching her wrist.  “Can you stand?”
Business Woman nodded and, with his help, she regained her feet.  Across the maze Senior Executive helped Franklin Buck find his footing.  Then both men lifted Commander Credit, supporting him on their shoulders.
“We’re making for the exit,” Senior Executive called out.  “Where are Supply and Demand?”
Corporate Man looked into the trench.  Supply lay there, deflated and still.  Face down in her own blood.  He shook his head.
“What about Demand?  He could still be alive,” said Business Woman.
“I doubt it.  You can’t have one without the other.  I could head down there and take a–”
A roar shook the arena and then everything started to quake.  The Crash rumbled through the trenches, swinging its huge arms, breaking walls, toppling whole sections of the maze into the dark spaces of the labyrinth.
“Run!” Corporate Man yelled.
They dashed across the maze, turning haphazardly at intersections, choosing a course that took them away from The Crash’s rampage, but in the general direction of the stage. 
The labyrinth was fast becoming a pile of rubble.
The pathway veered twice and put them on an intersecting path with the destroyer below.
“We have to turn back,” Corporate Man said.
“No.  I think this well lead us out,” said Business Woman.
“It’s gonna lead us out of this life.”
“Trust me.  This is the way.”
The maze banked again putting The Crash on their right instead of directly ahead.
“See.  We’ll be alright,” said Business Woman. 
The Crash swerved toward them.  Debris, papers, shattered wall, and mangled body parts rose about the giant like a dust devil.  It exploded through the maze wall that Corporate Man and Business Woman were running along leaving an expansive gap in their path.
“Hang on!” Corporate Man called out as they reached the edge. He grabbed Business Woman around the waist and jumped.  His necktie unfurled behind him and they dropped down onto the ledge on the far side of the Crash created chasm.  They raced down the walkway, huge television monitors fell from the ceiling and shattered all around them.  Amidst a shower of broken glass and ruined diodes they made it to the stage area.
Senior Executive, Franklin Buck, and a very groggy Commander Credit awaited them.
“The elevator’s this way,” said Senior Executive.
They ran to the exit door and out into a hallway.  Behind them The Crash continued its ruinous assault on the stock market floor.