As I stared blankly at the bullet I considered Dempsey’s offer; no, not an offer, this was an ultimatum plain and simple. I kept weighing my options, but the more I did that, the more I realized there was only one real exit; though I hoped to delay taking it at least for a short while. “Just out of curiosity, what would have happened had I been able to palm the ace?” I know with the fresh deck I couldn’t, but just suppose I had managed to do it.”
“Do you mean what would be happening to you if instead of being special you were merely a common cheat?” Not trusting my voice I simply nodded. “Well Marcus, we wouldn’t be having this conversation for one thing. Nor would you have awoken in such luxury. Now if you would be so kind, I’m in rather a bit of a rush so I’ll need your answer now.”
It was now or never and while I did feel warmer I was worried it wouldn’t be enough. But I was running out of time so I decided to try to power a transformation. Unfortunately, I couldn’t focus the little heat I found, it appeared that the drugs were doing their job. I finally resigned myself to the only real option laid out before me. I answered in a very meek voice, “It would appear that you have yourself a new employee.” Dempsey clapped his hands together like a child seeing his Christmas presents on that special morning. Ignoring the outright glee I went on, forcing sarcasm to drip from every word. “You have quite the recruiting technique, it’s no wonder you have such quality employees.”
“It does work rather well doesn’t it?” He replied, either missing or more likely, ignoring my sarcasm.
Keeping my eyes on his threat I quipped back, “Only if that bullet is really mine.”
As he returned the bullet to its case he spun it around so I could see him close the lid. On the side that was facing him, just to the right of that single latch, there engraved on a plate was one word. As I read it and swallowed, I had a hard time keeping myself from vomiting. The case and bullet were indeed reserved for me. Apparently Dempsey felt the need to gloat, “I have a bullet and case just like this for every one of my employees.”
At this point I mumbled something slightly incoherent, but whatever it was; I managed to catch his response. “Like you said, for this kind of recruitment to work I would need a bullet for everyone. Once my employees start, I set their case aside and, for the most part, I forget that they even exist. Though, should any employee of mine try and betray me or fail to do as they’re instructed…” Dempsey lifted the case up, brandishing it in front of me as he concluded, “Well they know what to expect. Motivation is the key to a good working environment!”
“You hold your people ransom?” I asked with more anger than I think I ever used before, I was beyond the point of trying to not display emotion.
“No, I would never do that,” began Dempsey behind a slighted face. “Their own actions hold them ransom. I merely hold them accountable to those actions.”
“One and done is that it?”
“It does ensure compliance, don’t you think?” With a smile breaking out across his face he pressed on, “More businesses should adopt the practice.”
As I looked into Dempsey’s wicked smile I wondered what he had forced me into. No, I wouldn’t, couldn’t, feel sorry for myself, that was the only thing that monster had right. I had made a choice. It hadn’t been a good one, but it had been my choice. Still flashing me that genuine smile Dempsey continued without missing a beat.
“Now that we’re all one big happy family, would you be so kind as to remove all of Marcus’ restraints? Dante, including the chemical one.” With those words there was immediate movement behind me as one of the goons began to loosen my bonds.
“Now Marcus, was this really such a horrible experience? As of this moment you are gainfully employed with terrific benefits. What more could you want out of life?” As he looked at my dead eyes Dempsey snapped his fingers as an idea came to him. “I can think of something else that you might want, your winnings from the tournament.”
I was beginning to think that I had everything figured out when Dempsey dropped that bombshell on me. He was going to let him keep my winnings from his tournament?! What was going on here? Something was wrong with the universe. He must have either read my mind or my surprise showed clearly on my face because he gave me a very plain answer. “You work for me. I’m surprised you’re still confused at this point; I have employees working in the tournament. The only thing you were mistaken about was how much of their winnings my employee’s get to keep. Fair is fair, you earned it.”
“But… I wasn’t working for you when I won it.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“Which is part of the reason why all of this unpleasantness was required,” Dempsey replied in a much more serious tone.
“But…”
“Don’t worry about the fact that you cheated. Just don’t do it next year and there won’t be a problem. Is that clear?”
“But…”
“How have you managed to accomplish anything in life with such a limited vocabulary?”
His verbal jab was just what I needed to force my frustration out of the way of my words. “You would have killed me if not for the last hand.”
“Yes. And where’s your difficulty?” Dempsey asked honestly not understanding why I was so frustrated.
“So, just because I’m your employee now it becomes no harm no foul?”