The group sat down in order while waiting for the ringmaster who assigned the officials in that rectangular table. All powerful men lined up with middle-aged histories and yet none with a respectable educational background. What could they say, anyway? The people could give them only so much power, and they could give enough to impress the people. Until then, whatever dirty secrets they have could be just a small issue---or not at all.
"Is it a done deal, then?" The old man asked while impatiently tapping his fingers on his partially bearded face.
"I said none of that. I am willing to take the contracts I promised myself to, down, to, my, grave! What can I get from all of this anyway?!" The handsome man in his late 50s shouted from another corner of the table. His expensive suit glittered.
"As we have discussed many times before, you'd get more power. Power. Better us than them. At least we have our great identities, don't we?" All the other men on the table nodded.
He scoffed. "Identities, you say? If there's something I know about business, parade the good ones before the fake. Build quality before reputation. Others do it the other way around, but ha! I did not, build my empire, by giving my clients scraps!"
"Are you saying we are fake?" Another man answered from the right.
"Are you not? You have the identities--you said it yourself! You're like...front pages. If I get into business with you, I'd be suffering major trauma. You started with lies, showing off, promises?" He emphasized the word while pointing up. "And we all have dirt, come on! But it takes a matter of time before secrets get revealed. We are all given chances to make up good quality products to cover up for our dirt. And you, my friend, have a lot of dirt, covered up by plastic. A shovel would be too much of an effort then!" He laughed at the men, clearly mocking them as fools.
"We won't be here if we are mere morons." The leader spoke with a firm voice.
The man just fixed the collar of his suit and stood up with a confident stride. "Then you do not need me. I respect my partners. And it takes a lot, to gain my respect. Good day, gentlemen."
Closed doors echoed, followed by mumbles from the powerful men in all their shining glory and prideful suits. It won't be long until he too, becomes a part of their reign.
________
Welcome to Rimford Circle, and the short prologue offered as a small clue. Try to pay close attention, because this, might be boring.