8.u.
John Q Public
sat in his office. The walls were once
again black and all the lights were off except for the malicious red glow of
the console buttons at the desk. A low
hum buzzed and he took a deep breath.
“Come in,” he
said.
A door slid
open, white light poured in, and a man strode into the room.
“I have the
samples,” the man said.
“Ah…
Wonderful. Let’s see them,” said John Q
Public.
The man held up
a t-shirt. On it was a slogan.
Light ‘Em Up
Then Light ‘Em Up.
“The crosshairs
are a nice touch,” said John Q Public.
“But don’t you think the pot leaf cheapens it?”
The man
shrugged and said, “Focus groups show a twenty percent higher return on drug
related merchandise and the pot leaf–”
“Yes, yes. I know all about focus groups,” said John Q
Public. He continued to scrutinize the
shirt. “Is there any news?”
“Yes,” the man
said, apparently understanding his boss’s vagaries. “Senior Executive, as you know, has accepted
and is settling in quite well. He and
General Apathy appear to have patched things up. Business Woman has declined. She has convinced Franklin Buck to do the
same and has taken on the girl, Molly, as an apprentice of sorts dubbing her,
Junior Partner. They are currently in
the old Union headquarters by the river.”
“As expected,”
said John Q Public. “No doubt working in
secret with Senior Executive. Acquire
majority shares in any businesses investing in her enterprise. Offer direct funding as well.”
“Already
implemented,” said the man.
“You have my
approval on the shirt.”
“Of course,
sir.”
John Q Public
sighed and then said, “Well then. On to
business. New t-shirt design. Possible poster offering. A headstone with glasses and a tie. Epitaph reads, “Here lies Corporate Man, the
unbearable dream. Subheading, lower
case, in quotes and fancy script, to read:
do not succumb to death, oh
dream
rebel
subject yourself not to
financial slavery
rebel, revolt, rebel
hold accountable the fiscal
tyrants
demand reparation with
intelligent
revolution
-Don Jones
“Seems a bit
long for a t-shirt,” said the man.
“Yes. Also, spread rumors to insinuate that the
previously mentioned quotation was Corporate Man’s final words,” said John Q
Public.
“Is this true?”
“Undoubtedly.”
“Then you’re
positive that we should proceed with this?” the man asked.
John Q Public
stroked his luscious moustache, but said nothing.
“Sir? Shall I place the order?”
Again, the Big
Bossman made no response.
“Sir?”
