Morning all. I have to admit the overly dramatic sentence chosen for today’s writing prompt made me smile. So let’s set the timer and see what comes out of it, shall we?
I had fun with this. I like the idea of working for one goal with tunnel vision and then when it is done trying to figure out what to do with yourself. It seems like a fun idea to play with. I also like following it with him breaking down the skills he used in his revenge plan as he tries to forge a life plan, which is I think where this is going. Fun with the overly dramatic, huh?
Thursday, July 10th: Revenge is at hand.
“Revenge is at hand,” Colin said to himself. He was standing in his living room and noticed his fist was clenched with the words. It made him feel like an old school movie villain. He uncurled his fingers, flattening out his hand.
‘The sentence doesn’t help either,’ he decided as he deflated onto the couch. He took a deep breath and let it out. He planned years for this. Ever since he learned the truth. He had one goal and that was to destroy the Harrisons. He was specifically interested in ruining Franklin Harrison but he would happily throw in the rest with them.
The problem was figuring out exactly what ruining them meant. They had money and power but more, they had pride. He knew that hitting their pride was what would hurt the most. He wanted them humiliated. The rest of it, their money and power were simply bonus items. Public humiliation was the goal.
At first he worried. The Harrisons employed so many people, were responsible for so many jobs and much of the economy of the area. Then he began looking at the details. Their local factories were closed down and even the overseas ones were predominantly automated. They caused damage to the town with their behavior or the behavior of their guests. They paid to have it covered up but it was still a financial loss to the community when he did the math. The town lost after every incident with the Harrisons.
“They don’t even stock their food and alcohol locally or hire local help for their events.”
Wine and food was brought in from elsewhere for all their events as it was seen as a cut above what could be found locally. They also contracted with a company for their staffing of the events so that no one local was ever hired on as wait staff. ‘And locals were certainly not invited to the events.’
The charities they championed were national or international causes and never benefited the town. They took from the town without giving back. The family was not good for the town even though they still commanded the same level of respect they had when they employed most of the community.
Once he realized that taking down the Harrisons would not impact the community too badly, he went ahead with his plan. Each element was meticulous and designed to slowly tip the balance. He had been delighted to find they did much of the work for him. Their sins were well hidden, but he slowly uncovered them, bringing them to the light. And now it was over.
He watched as the story broke on the television. He saw the family in tears, cheeks stained with the public humiliation. He saw the vast sums they were required to pay to make reparations for the crimes now spread out before the public. The court case was complete. The Harrisons were not as powerful as some and were used as an example to prove no one was above the law while not going after the truly powerful people. The judge had political ambitions, and it worked in his favor.
He watched the last of the news coverage. There would be no reprieve. There would be no buy out. The Harrisons were done. He sighed with relief. His revenge was complete. He turned off the television and frowned. What on earth was he supposed to do with himself now?
Ten til Midnight 