Prodigal

[Guest]

The following chronicles are not set to be specifically in novel or essay form. The posts may seem awkward, but a story is present, trust me. The format is more of a cross between text book briefings and scripts.

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Prodigal

Presentation

In 2119 a young man, not well known by his neighbors ran into a large sum of money after the unfornuate passing of an uncle he never knew. The uncle had owned a large amount of stock divided amongst several companies and overseas investments. He also owned a powerful privatized commercial organization known as Brethren. Brethren specialized in multimedia, journalism, and international broadcasting. It was one of the most revered media organizations in the world; and since it was privately owned, they could report about whatever they felt like. Owning a series of public radio and TV stations, Brethren could easily communicate their latest findings around the globe.

The nephew, Carl Reeves, was the next in line to inherit the fortune that he never knew existed. So many questions surged through his mind. Why had he never known about his uncle? Why was he chosen as the "president" of this organization? How will he break the news to the rest of his known family?

In April of that year, Carl assumed the duties of the position that had been passed down to him. His uncle's board of advisers instructed him in everything he needed to know about running the company. He was sick at first. but soon got the hang of things. After all, the CEO of a private organization should only need to rely on his staff to do most of the work for him....at least that's what his advisers had told him.

"Leave it to us," they said. "Enjoy your new life, Mr. Reeves."

Carl was only 21 when he had accepted the position. Now, he is 23 and living a life of luxury, fame, and fortune. He has a beautiful wife, Cheyenne; an adopted son, Kyle; and fourteen sports cars. Yeah...he was living the good life.

But all will soon change....

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Stay tuned for episode one: Fork in the Road

[Guest]

Prodigal

Episode One: Fork in the Road

In late June, Carl Reeves was on his way to a meeting in New Hampshire when he received a phone call from one of his advisers, Stephanie Dowers. Stephanie informs him that there is a significant amount of corruption circulating within Brethren and that is puts Carl and his family at risk. Carl is concerned with the news and pumps Stephanie for more information. After chatting for a while, Carl learns that Peter Casterson, the vice president of the Internal Communications department, was using company credit to purchase personal assets, keeping everything out of the books since early October of last year. Since that time, Casterson had rung up a grand total over forty-three million dollars.

Carl was so shocked at the amount of credit that had been stolen from the Brethren funds. He had trusted Casterson to hold on to the company expenditures items. Casterson had gone behind Carl's back and did this to his company. His uncle's company.

"Here's the thing though, Carl," Stephanie said. "This has been kept quiet for a long time now, but the credit bureau is becoming increasingly agitated with us. If we don't do something to make them happy then they're taking us to court. And chance are...we won't be covering our own story in the headlines the following morning."

"So what am I supposed to do then, Steph? You're my financial adviser, here."

"I recommend that you continue to pay no attention to it, sir. Retain the innocent face you've had all along and let me deal with this. If necessary...I'll take the fall for this one."

'I won't let you do that. You're a good friend of mine and my wife, especially. I can't just let the guillotine take your head for something's that not your fault."

"If you rush in to save the day, sir, then the world is going to be looking at you for having knowledge of this fiasco."

"I already do, don't I?"

Carl and Stephanie end their conversation several minutes later. The final decision was made by Carl, who resolved that first and foremost, he would contact the credit bureau the next morning and work out an arrangement. He would then, personally, terminate Casterson's contract for being in violation of contrat policy...theft. Stephanie would handle regaining all lost assets with the aid of the federal government seizing stolen assets from Casterson. In the mean time, Carl would redirect rivaling media attention by introducing some of Brethren's latest operations a few weeks ahead of schedule.

While Carl continued his traveling to New Hampshire, his European Relations Liaison contacted him and explained that Stephanie had just informed him of orders to release one of Brethren's latest projects in the United Kingdom....Operation: Bound Blood. Carl confirmed the order and the liaison understood; informing Carl that he would make preparations for the operation's presentation immediately.

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Stay tuned for episode two: Single, Married, or Married but Separated?

[Guest]

Prodigal

Episode Two: Single, Married, or Married but Separated?

After Carl made it home from his out-of-state meeting with other Brethren executives, his wife was found tapping her foot in the kitcken, leaning against the counter, in front of the sink. Carl raised a brow and asked what the matter was. It easy to see that Cheyenne was pissed for some reason. She immediately broke into a yelling contest with Carl about his excessive carelessness and unethical work habit. She lashed accusations towards him for being far too lazy to even keep his executives in check - referring to the Casterson scandle that he so-narrowly avoided.

After about an hour and a half of arguing about several other Brethren-related matters and his lack of care for his work, Cheyenne persued to further pressure him over matters regarding Kyle, their recently-adopted, fourteen year-old son. When she began accusing him of not caring for his family, Carl snapped back rather viciously:

"If you recall, I'm the one who brought forth the idea of adoption! I'm the one who actually took him to get new clothes! I'm the one that drove him to school every damn day! And I'm the one that approved him to play on his school's baseball team! Don't you go 'round accusing me of being a bad father! What the hell have you done Cheyenne?"

At this point, Cheyenne had finally given up yelling and just threw her hands in the air and walked out - not just out of the kitchen, but out of the house entirely, slamming the large glass door behind her. With Cheyenne out of the house, Carl began contemplating the status of their marriage. They were like two star-crossed lovers before they signed the papers for Kyle. It seemed that the introduction of Kyle into their lives had changed things dramatically...but Carl refused to believe that the changes were for the worse. He loved Kyle and Cheyenne, and he would do anything to protect his family.

....But perhaps it was time to take a well-deserved vacation...from both work and home.

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Stay tuned for episode three: AirFrance 8802

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