Chapter 197

7.c.vi.

“Anything broken or sprained real bad?” Business Woman asked.

“My shoulder,” said Demand.  “But nothing that’ll keep me from moving.”

“I’m fine,” said Supply.

Business Woman looked around.  It was dark in the trench.  The walls were charcoal grey and there were marks, like cliff shearing, scraping down them.  She pushed her way past an errand boy and a couple of day traders and called out, “Bull!  Bull Market?  You okay?  Are you hurt?”

She rounded a corner easing past two of the polo-clad sect as they helped a fine-suited trader gain his feet.  Both had visible injuries.  A gashed and bleeding head, a leg that seemed to attach incorrectly, a broken nose, and extremely dislocated fingers. Beyond them was Bull Market.  He was doubled over, writhing and moaning.

“Bull, buddy, what’s wrong?” Business Woman asked, ignoring the pleads of the injured day traders nearby.

“Get away from me,” he grunted.  “Go!  While you still can.”

“Bull Market, listen to–”

“Go!  I can’t stop him.  He’s coming.  Run!” Bull Market screamed.  Then his back arched and something deep inside him cracked.  He howled, in agony, and tore at his chest, ripped open the buttons of his shirt, and yanked frantically at his tie.

“Oh shit,” said Business Woman.  She turned and ran back down the corridor, shouting, “Go!  Go!  It’s nineteen eighty-seven all over again.  Run!”

“What is it?  What’s happened?”  Supply said as she and Demand took their cues and ran.  Several of the more intelligent day traders followed suit.

“It’s Bull Market,” said Business Woman.  “He’s gone Bear!”

Bull Market’s thick, bovine face contorted unnaturally as he shrieked.  Hollow, wet sounds, like rocks scraping together in a bowl of oatmeal, grated beneath his skin.  His blunted teeth cracked and then splintered into sharp, jagged points.  Tufts of coarse, musky hair sprouted all over his body.  His suit, ragged and torn, clung to him in tatters.

And then Bear Market roared.

A couple of the less intelligent day traders, having ignored Business Woman’s subtle hints that they should vacate the area, caught sight of Bear Market.  Realization came too late.  The beast was upon them, clawing and gnashing and growling.  Jagged teeth ripped away huge chunks of spurting flesh.

Blood and screams painted the dark walls of the labyrinth.

Chapter 194

7.c.iii.

“Prosperity.  That’s the key folks.  Once we prosper, then we’ll find that we’re not disprosperous anymore,” said George W. Bush, tilting his head and cocking his cowboy hat in a reassuring manner.  “Tax cuts will ensure prosperity and deregulation enables businesses to take advantage of this prosperity and grow.  And growth is the only way …”  He jangled his hand as if jostling man-fruit.  Then he redoubled the intensity of the movement to emphasize each of his next statements. “Prosperity.  Tax cuts.  Deregulation.  Change my diaper.  War on poverty.”

The crowd roared.  The applause of deafening.  George W. adjusted his diaper in quick thrusting movements and the crowd roared again.

“Wait,” said Corporate Man.  “Did he make these kind of speeches during his terms in office?”

“Yes,” said Business Woman, jaw clenching.

“And he got elected for a second term?”

Business Woman sighed and said, “Yes.  People are that stupid.”

Bull Market paced frantically, scratching haphazardly.  “This is not good.  Not good at all.”

“We all want the same things, right?” George W. Bush continued.  “We want to live life, have our things, be happy Americans, and kill terrorists.  Am I right?”

Cheers from the crowd.

“Sure I’m right.  No terrorist left behind!”

An earthquake of crowd noise.

“The only way we can do all that is by prospering and the only way we can prospersize is by fixing this economy and then only was we can fix this economy is by having a conversation.  Starting a dialogue with economists and trusting in our business leaders who are already very prosperous because they know how to do it.  And we can all follow their example.  So spend money.  Stimulate the economy.  And trust in the system.  Let the economy correct itself.  Prosper.  And that alone will create prosperity.  And prosperity for the nation means that we can continue our war on children.”

The response to this was disparately flat.  A secret serviceman shuffled onto the stage and positioned himself behind and to the side of George W. Bush.  He reached a tentative finger toward the waistband of the former President’s diaper, pulled it open slightly, and peered down inside.  His brow furrowed and his lips pulled back from his teeth.  The agent nodded and was joined by more secret servicemen.  They carried W. off the stage.

An alarm bell sounded, signally the start of trading.

Bull Market charged forward shouting, “Sell!  Sell!  Sell!”

The arena became a frenzy of aggressive activity and overpowering noise.  Everyone trying desperately to outmaneuver and out hand-signal each other.  Bull Market’s cries were drown out by the crowd and he was swept away into a boiling mass as mob panic consumed the floor.

Tele-screens and digital tickers displayed falling numbers as the market plummeted.  A noise, like a high pitched whine, pierced the air then grew higher and higher.

“Oh damn.  This is bad,” said Business Woman.

“We gotta get out of here,” Senior Executive hissed.

“It’s too late,” said Corporate Man.  “It’s here.”

Commander Credit’s eyes gleamed and smile cut across his face.  He checked the weapon systems on his arm and said, “Yes.  And it’s about damn time.”

Chapter 192

7.c.i.

The Union walked through the set of double doors into a room the size of an arena.  It was bustling with people in suits, runners in collared shirts, and polo-clad coffee fetchers.  Everyone made complex hand signals at everyone else.  A smell, covetous and sweaty, like a locker room papered with decommissioned dollar bills, permeated the space.  The noise was overpowering, like the engines of a private jet to the basic rights of the needy.

“Ah… This is where it all goes down,” said Bull Market. 

He led them through the sea of people to a small platformed area sectioned off with velvet ropes.  Here were gathered those whose previous day’s trading had garnered acclaim and this slightly elevated place of honor was their reward.

The arena space was so massive that more than one member of the Union wondered how a place with ceiling so high could fit on one floor.  Even if that floor was the equivalent of three floors combined.  Giant tele-screens hung from huge steel rafters and electronic ticker displays scrolled in every direction the eye could possibly look.

“When’s the big show start?” asked Business Woman.

“In a couple of minutes,” said Bull Market.  “Apparently, they’ve got a guest speaker coming in who’ll kick things off today.  Rumor has it that it’s the President.”

“Really?” asked Corporate Man.  “Barack knows about this place?”

“How could he not?” said Bull Market.  “This place is the economy.”

There was an eruption of cheers and applause which replaced the already roaring sound in the arena.  At the far end of the arena was a tall stage with huge speakers flanking either side.  The lights dimmed and a spotlight flashed upon a lone figure as he walked toward center stage.  He wore a large brown Stetson hat, spurred cowboy boots, and a man-sized disposable diaper.

“Oh god,” said Bull Market.  “Not him.  Not him!”

“What?  Who is it?” asked Corporate Man.

“Ah shit,” said Business Woman. “That’s W.”

“As in George W? asked Corporate Man.

“Yep,” Business Woman said, her head shaking instead of nodding.

Bull Market scratched nervously at his neck.  And then his forearm.  And then his scalp.

“This will not end well,” he said.

Chapter 190

7.b.v.

As it turned out, Bull Market’s wish was granted.  Partially.  There was only one available room left when the Union made their accommodations so it was decided that the ladies would get their own suite and the guys would bunk in with the Bull.

Bull Market found this slightly disappointing, and more dissatisfaction came his way when his much anticipated guests began falling asleep during the second replaying of his bright and shining fiscal moment.  Disappointed, he gave up and they all turned in for the night.

He woke them in the morning with a vast, room service catered breakfast during which they watched the replay of his successes of the previous day complete with analysis of same and forecasts for the coming day.  Bull Market had taken the liberty of having the Union’s clothes laundered and pressed during the night so they would all be fresh and clean and sharp for the days trading.  Couldn’t go in with blood stains and torn fabric after all.

“Why don’t you come with us?” said Corporate Man.

“What do you mean?” asked Bull Market.

“Well, we aren’t here to trade stocks, we’re trying to get to the top.  Find the man upstairs if you will, the one responsible for it all,” said Senior Executive.

“Are you kidding?  This is the biggest and best thing that’s ever happened to me.  I’ve never made more money,” said Bull Market.

“Yeah, we get that,” said Business Woman.  “But when are you gonna go home and do something will that money?”

Bull Market looked puzzled.  He’d never considered this.  “I don’t know.  When they ask me to leave, I guess.  I mean, I can’t stop now, right?  I’m winning.  I’m on a roll.  You’ll see.  Let’s head to the floor and take up positions.  Once you feel that buzz, score that first big trade, then you’ll see.”

Chapter 187

7.b.ii.

“So apparently these booths were used for lap dances in the old days,” said Bull Market squirming around chairs that rode up against glossy leathered walls and crowded around a small table.  “That’s why the room’s so small.  Normally there’s only two or three chairs in here at a time.  It’s not so snug then.  OH!  Here it is.  Look.”

Bull Market gestured to a television screen which hung from the wall like a framed landscape.  On it was a man making a series of complex gestures and emphatic facial expressions.  That man was Bull Market.  Text scrolled across the bottom of the screen displaying financial figures. Pie charts and graphs popped in and out of the upper right corner.

“Watch this.  I dump a tech stock just before the price plummets.  Made a killing.”

The image reset, displayed the same footage, but this time in slow motion.  A voiceover, which was far too excited for the material being shown, offered a play by play of the event and then went on to examine gains figures and percentage yields.  He passed it back over to the studio and three people in slick green blazers discussed the amazing portfolio of the man called Bull Market.

“Awesome!  Wasn’t that awesome?” said Bull Market.  Before any response was made, a waitress, dressed like a very skilled secretary, arrived with food.  The Union, realizing how starved they all were, forwent politeness and etiquette and converged on the platters like chortling pigs.

“Good God, when did you guys last eat?” Bull Market asked.

“Thirteenth floor,” Business Woman replied.

Bull Market looked confused.

“What day is this?” asked Corporate Man.

Bull Market looked even more confused.

“I… I don’t know,” said Bull Market.  Then he smiled.  “I haven’t thought a lot about dates and stuff.  You know, with all this money making I’ve been doing.”

“Yeah, you mentioned that.  And we saw you on the instant replay,” said Corporate Man.  “But what is this place exactly?  It looks like Wall Street.”

Bull Market laughed.  “Wall Street’s like a backwater, country road compared to this place.  Everything happens here first.  If the Dow Jones drops, or NASDAQ shows a gain, you can bet it’s because of what we did here the day before.  This is the true stock market.”

“Can you show us?” asked Senior Executive.

“Well, yeah, obviously.  I mean you guys wouldn’t be here if they weren’t going to let you compete.”

“Then let’s go,” said Corporate Man.

“Wait, wait, wait.  No rush.  I’m still eating,” said Business Woman.

This comment spurred a collection of head tilts, deep sighs, eye rolls, grins, and even some nods of approval.  Those nodding followed the gesture with an increased shoveling of food into mouth.

“Market’s closed right now,” Bull Market said.  “It’ll open up again in the morning.”

A moment of silence followed.  As much silence as can be expected while at a table full of heartily eating business types.

“Are there hotel rooms on this floor?” asked Senior Executive.

“Oh yeah.  Hey!  You should all come back to my suite,” Bull Market said.

“That’s tempting, but we should get some rooms and get some sleep,” said Corporate Man.  “I don’t know when any of us has had a chance to sleep recently.”

“No, you got to come.  Besides, these rooms are huge.  We could have them bring in a few more beds and we’d all fit.  With room to spare.”

Chapter 185

7.a.viii.

“Welcome to the After Hours Lounge,” said a man in a very expensive suit.  “Am I correct in assuming that you are virgins to this establishment?”

“This is our first time here, yes,” said Corporate Man.

The well dressed host escorted them into a large room with a very long bar along one side.

“I’m afraid you’re a little too late to beat the dinner rush and a bit too early to benefit from the settling up.  As soon as something becomes available, I will seat you.  I’m sure you will find the bar to be an adequate distraction.”

The host shuffled away and the Union approached the long counter.  An amber light bathed the dark stained wood and brass fixtures.  Recessed in the wall behind the bar were thousands of bottles of various shapes displayed in a rich cobalt light.  Five or six bartenders slid and writhed from customer to customer, mixing up every kind of cocktail imaginable.

“You think there might be some food at the bar?” Demand asked.

“Why don’t you guys find out.  And get us some drinks,” said Business Woman.  “Me and Supply are gonna run off to the ladies room.”

The women quickly strode away, Business Woman muttering something about how she should have peed when they were in that fake gym and that she was shocked her bladder hadn’t burst.

Corporate Man and Senior Executive went up to the bar to get the drinks and make inquiries about food while Commander Credit and Demand sought out and empty space and stools enough to seat them all.

“Junior?  Junior is that you?” a man snorted as Senior Executive tried to flag down the bartender.  The man was large and stout, like an aging football player or an old professional wrestler.  His face was bovine and thick.

Senior Executive looked at the man and then, after a moment, he said, “Bull?  God, what are you doing here?  And it’s Senior Executive now.”

The man tilted his head, eyes rolling, and made an exasperated sound.  “Oh you won’t believe the things I’ve been through in the past few–  Wait.  Is that… Is that Corporate Man?”

Corporate Man smiled and said, “Good to see you, Bull Market.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet.  This all started because of you, you know?” Bull Market said, shaking his head.  “These guys in suits came up to me saying, ‘Codename: Bull?’  I said, no.  That it was just, Bull.  Bull Market to be exact, but that, yeah, that was me.  And these guys rough me up, pop me into the trunk of their car.”

Senior Executive gave Corporate Man a puzzled look.   Corporate Man shrugged and said, “I’m sorry you got hassled.”

“No. No.  It all worked out.  They took me to their base and this hard-assed bitch on the east side of town ripped her boys new assholes when she saw me.  Said something about how she’d nearly sent out a report announcing the capture of Codename: Bull.  These guys tell her that I said that I was the Bull and she said, ‘No.  This is Bull Market.  He worked with Corporate Man, but he isn’t Corporate Man.’  Well, I was about to get into it with them, seeing as how we’re teammates, when she dismisses her lackeys and buzzes for a sniveling secretary guy who apologizes to me, assures me that they meant me no harm, and that they’d like to invite me in on a little business opportunity to make amends.  Anyway, long story short, they brought me here and I’ve been making bank ever since.  I see they finally found you and got you involved, too.”

Corporate Man narrowed his eyes and took a slow breath.  Then he said, “Yeah.  Something like that.  What can you tell me about this place Bull?”

“You don’t know?”

“We just arrived.”

“Oh.  Awesome!  Come with me.  I did really well today and booked a private booth in the back.  I’ll explain everything.”

“Wait a second,” said Senior Executive.  “We need to get the others.”

“Others?  Who else is here?  Oh!  Is Business Woman with you?  I’d kill to see her again.”