(WC3) Outside Eden's Fall

Outside Eden’s Fall
PART I - “Face To Face”


(Wow. This room is impressive…a library, den sort of thing? …my God, is that a Rembrandt?…Holy heck, yep, it is. But what did I expect? Sooo…where is he? I suppose he’ll keep me waiting…)

Do come in, and have a seat…

(Oh! For the love of…! He scared me. He’s on the giant screen there…of course. Okaaaay. I’ll sit here…)

No, not there, if you please. That seat is mine.

(What? I picked the least assuming place…now I feel like a total jerk. And he’s not even in the room with me. He doesn’t even need a chair. Video conference in his own house…of course its the size of a small city on his own l’il private island paradise…Whatever…I’ll sit over here…)

Was your flight comfortable? Your room is to your satisfaction?

(Comfortable? I’ve never had an in-flight mani-pedi before, complete with champagne and shrimp spring rolls as appetizer, nor a chef at my disposal who was so deeply concerned that I enjoy my steak and fries, salad and dang that chocolate mousse was to die for…) “Of course, sir. Thank you, sir.”

Your room is to your satisfaction?

(…The wine was amazing. The rooms, oh Heck Yeah!! I have my own FLOOR with an ocean view in every direction…) “Perfection.”

Good, good. I want my guests to feel at home.

(Yeah…at home…in a freaking palace…)

Well, since with you I am going to be entirely honest, I must tell you that I don’t want my guests to feel at home, so much as awed and filled with insecurity. Ah-ha-ah.

(Check! Already there…Weird laugh.)

There, you see? I’m fulfilling my pact with you to give you the most complete history of myself, which you will then, for a considerable sum, mostly ignore and convert into a beautiful lie. Right?

(I can feel his smile, his teeth like razors, the humor not reaching his eyes. Oh God. What have I gotten myself into?)

“You will have accuracy of time and place, and will be seen as a heroic icon for our generation, sir, as you requested.” (smile back…all friendly here…even if he is an evil bastard…)


All this talk about “good” and “evil” in the world, Glen - what does that matter to one such as I? My bloodline must have passed over the eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, because frankly, I don’t feel or understand either one. We are outside Eden’s Fall, as it were.

(Huh? This is getting weird, fast!)

To understand it, I would need something I don’t have: a conscience.

Does that scare you?

(Yes!!!) “I understand, sir. I am here to get your story out, as you want it to be read. You can tell me whatever you like, and my job remains the same. I will only share what you want shared.” (Am I sweating? Why am I sweating?)


I don’t know why people become frightened. After all, I’m the very visage of the American Dream come to ultimate expression! I serve my own self-interest, and serve it well, in complete and utter freedom from any restrictions imposed by others, whether it be moral or philosophical or religious in nature. I am my own man, through and through.

(He didn’t mention ‘legal’ in his list…hmmm…)

Do I know that my vast empire has caused economic and physical harm to others?

(I would think so…)

A better question, is, do I care? I don’t. I can’t, you see, it is not in my nature. In this system, I am the ultimate warrior, the best of the best, the Wolf among sheep; the real definition of a lycanthrope. A-ha a-ha a-ha. Or vampire, but I prefer lycanthrope.

(Heh - creepy laugh, too. Lycanthrope…were-wolf? Wolf-man? Oh great…)

I have earned my way by the standards of rugged individualism and I do as I please within the laws that I help to create in my favor and for my benefit - well, mostly, let’s just say I make sure I am not caught if something is outside the bounds of men’s laws. I am a purist. Greed is good.

(Greed is good. That old saw. And rugged, whaaaat? He got his fortune handed to him by his daddy! Before that, he was a nobody, a bastard child no one had ever heard of and who frankly wasn’t all that impressive. Oops, best not let that show on my face, I’m sure he’ll see it.)

I know what you are thinking…

(Uh oh.)

You are thinking that I had everything handed to me.

(Bingo!)

I assure you that the moment I stepped into the role of heir to this fortune, I demonstrated a power to lead and manage these interests to a whole new level of the word “wealth.” People don’t even know what I’m really worth, you see. It was a matter of opportunity being handed to the right person; a lesser man would have botched the job.

(Ah yes. Key word. “Opportunity.” Those who are poor just don’t get the opportunity - and if they did they’d screw it up, that’s the message, eh?)


It matters not, the bleating of the poor; they are not equipped for survival and I don’t care that I have helped to make their lives more impossible. Whether it be bad genes or rough circumstances, I don’t feel responsible for them or their problems. Why should I? Why should anyone, except them, of course, feel responsible for their lives?

(Is he really reading my mind? Or just perceptive? Better school my thoughts here…)

Again: I have no conscience. I have mine, as they say. My wealth, my Corporations, my Boardrooms, my well-deserved home and my income streams. I’ve worked for it, it matters not if I got lucky or if I was more connected or better positioned or held advantages at birth: my forefathers paid for my superiority and gave me my greatest weapons. If Kings can inherit countries, why can I not feel good in my own inheritance? It may sound cruel to those with feelings - or so I’ve been told - but to me and my kind, “I’ve got mine” is the ultimate satisfaction.

(Blank….stay blank…nod…just nod…)

You see, I compete on an entirely different level, with my own kind, all of us lycanthropes and vampires, those you call social and psychological “monsters” - I compete with all who are without conscience, and who have amassed power enough to go against my wishes. We are like gods, moving the tectonic plates of the world economy and governments to our advantage, making alliances and working against them in the next breath, as those are the rules of engagement. I don’t expect lesser souls, those burdened with the shackles of conscience, to understand.

(God, that smile again…just nod…just…nod.)

So. How is my book coming along, Glen? You received the recordings I sent you, I know. Do you have something to show for it?

(Right here…the thumb drive…) “Yes, sir, of course. I have a full outline and the chapters are coming along nicely. I brought an in-progress file, if you want to see it.” (Show him the thumb drive…smile pleasantly…everything is on-track here…con-fi-dence!)

Very good. No need for the in-progress file. You will remain here until my book is finished, and we will continue having these illuminating talks… I hope that will not be a burden to your life.

(What? What? Stay?? Oh man…gotta call Jill…dang. She’s going to flip! I’ve got at least a month’s work left, but…the money is so good. I’m setting us up for life…she’ll understand…I hope…) “I will explain it to my wife, sir.”

Good. You may ask her to come and visit when you have finished. Make a vacation of it.

“Thank you sir. She would love that.” (That will help, if she can get the kids taken care of…)

Unless you’d rather have your mistress? I can arrange that as well…

(Oh. My. God. He knows about that…how does anyone know about that? He’s investigated me. Got me by the short hairs, is what…But he doesn’t know I’ve decided to end it. That was the worst mistake of my life…I don’t even know how it happened…)

I appreciate the inconvenience but I decided this morning that I’d rather have you close at hand. I will compensate you, additionally, for your trouble. You will find a check for $100,000 on your desk in your work room.

(Oh, yes, that will definitely help. My god. This will make it a total of a million up front! Plus royalty points! Yes!!!)

“Thank you, sir! The wife will definitely understand…and I think its best to invite her.”

Of course. Arrangements will be made.

(What the? The video screen just went blank…What do I..? Oh, here comes someone…)

“Follow me, sir, your computer has been set up in your work room, and I’m instructed to take you directly there. We have provided a buffet for your needs - anything at all is our pleasure to provide. Master Viperia suggests you begin immediately on his book.”

(Hm. Well, I guess I’m in it now…) “Thanks. I was planning on it.”

* *

Outside Eden’s Fall

PART II: Storylies…


How is the work going, Glen?

“Wonderfully, sir. This week has been extremely productive. I have the first five chapters completed except for final editing. Would you like to see them?” (Maybe its my screen, but he’s not looking so good. Is he sick? I’m going to be sick if I don’t get out of here for a bit. I haven’t left this floor - its like a prison with five star accommodations and food.)

I would appreciate seeing them after they are edited to perfection, Glen, not a day before. At that point, I may have some suggestions. Are you on-track for your month-end reveal?

“Yes, sir. I’m working day and night here. I was wondering…”

Yes? Is something not to your liking?

“Everything is fine, sir, really wonderful, but I’d very much like to get outside and stretch my legs a bit. Clear my head, you know? It would refresh me for the work.” (Let’s see what the Prison Warden says…do I get ‘exercise’ time?)

Of course. Michael will set you up for dinner on the beach. We will provide a fresh seafood buffet for you; I’ll order it immediately. There is a lovely waterfall that Donald can guide you to before you eat. It is about a two mile walk in all, mostly gentle with a bit of climbing at the end. Would that suffice?

(Heck yeah!) “Thank you, sir. That would be perfect.”

Well, I can’t be having your energy flag, or let you get too stir crazy. You show remarkable ability to focus, Glen. It has not gone unnoticed. It is one of the reasons I chose you. We will make evenings on the beach a regular reward for your hard work, if the weather is clear.

“Thank you, sir.” (Why does everything he say come out with that creepy vibe?)

You have four hours until your walk. I hope you will renew your energy and continue working until then? I so look forward to seeing your progress.

“Of course, sir. I was planning on it.”

Very good…but…

“Sir?”

I feel the need to have another of our little chats, Glen. Something to, I don’t know, ease my need for order and to take care of the business of tying up personal loose ends and such.

“Of course, sir.” (What does that mean…is he dying or something? Just OCD? That wouldn’t surprise me…he doesn’t look well…)

I’ve told you about my efforts to create my wealth as far as my chemical companies are concerned - no doubt I will miraculously find a “cure” for all the destruction I’ve caused, but not until my goals of population containment have been fulfilled.

(…and that was some of the scariest ## I’d ever heard in my life! Autism rates, cancer rates, the list of diseases…just sick!)

I have not told you about my arms sales and how I have billion dollar contracts with the United States for black budget projects, all aimed at enhancing the military capabilities of America in the world, not to mention my own personal military abilities. Yes, I have the weapons I sell at my own disposal should I need them. I’ve also not told you how I helped to orchestrate the latest middle east conflict. Would you care to hear?

“Of course, sir, you are free to tell me anything.” (Holy crap!)


Let’s just say nineteen men with box cutters makes a nice story, doesn’t it? Ever considered why some of those same men are still alive and wondering why their names were used? Oh! What a joke that was! Ah-haha! *cough - cough- COUGH*

(Crap crap crap I do NOT want to know this! Is he okay?)

“Are you okay, sir?”

*Cough*

Not entirely, Glen. You have observed my state of health, or lack thereof. No matter. I will need to choose an heir very soon! As you know I never married. I had an “indiscretion” or two, but they are unaware of their status, just as I was, before I inherited all this.

(God, his smile! Looks like the devil himself when he does that!)

*Cough*

Now where was I? Oh, yes. Nine eleven. No one needed to hijack planes. I have the ability to do so, and the manpower and expertise, to, “hack,” as they say, into the controls of whatever plane I wish. You may notice, on occasion, odd disappearances or malfunctions in planes?

(Please stop grinning like that!! Please!!!) “Um. Yes sir, you mean like that Malaysian flight 370 back in 2014?”

Precisely. I took control of the planes. I developed the technology through my black budget programs, that allows me to hack into planes from my own private jets at quite a distance!

(Well that explains a lot…)

Your President and my dear friend, your then Vice President, knew it would happen. They could do nothing to stop me. Did you find it remarkable that all the American military powers were off somewhere on exercises related to hijacked planes? Oh - that was another little joke of mine! Dick helped me with that…

(Dear God…oh please, make him shut up… I don’t want to know this! I have to make him look like a freaking saint and I don’t want to know this!)

It allowed me to obtain important leverage, so that the US government, and other world governments, would dance to my tune, so to speak. The oil revenue and control were peace offerings to the American power structure and, I must say, quite beneficial to myself. I wanted Sadam gone - he was trying to defy me. I wanted the oil under my control, you see, as well as the income from the war itself. I wanted governments to obey me, and they do. Simple, really.

(God. He is evil…I can’t…God I want this deal to be done already!)

So you see, this is the level of gamesmanship I perform, Glen. I am quite amazingly good at it - and that is not bragging, mind you, but the pride I take in my impeccable track record. Oh - and the downed plane over Russia…that was me as well. We needed to send a message, and there was someone on that flight, like on the Malaysian plane, that needed to be…removed…from the playing field.

(blank…just nod…look interested…just…nod…) “Yes, sir, you are amazingly good at it. I see, sir.”

Not really. But you are beginning to, Glen. Now back to work on my book. You are doing such an exemplary job of it! *cough*


* * *

Outside Eden’s Fall
PART III: “Face to Face” for Real


So good to see that glow from the sun on your face, Glen. You have been enjoying your month here?

“Yes, sir.”

Your wife will be arriving tomorrow. Now we will finally meet in person, a real ‘face to face,’ as it were…Aha-ha.

“Indeed? I look forward to that. I’ve sent you the files, did you receive them?”

Yes, I’ve taken the opportunity the last twenty-four hours to read through them. Your work is superlative, Glen. I don’t have any corrections.

“Really? That’s great, sir! I’m so glad you like it.”

Michael is behind you. He’ll guide you to see me…

“Oh! Yes, there he is, I see him. Hello, Michael. Thank you sir, I…” (Talking to another blank screen. God he is rude!)

“This way, sir, I will guide you.”

* *
(Dang…It’s like a museum, or like some kind of art and architecture orgy in this place. Total opulence! I guess I was staying in the poor quarter and didn’t know it! Dang. Is that gold?!? Wow… It’s still all so tastefully done at the same time. Stately, or something…Okay, another elevator? No…this is for a Tram! An actual train. Where the heck are we going? Must be in some entire other building or something…)

* *

“We’ve arrived, sir, please enter quietly.”

(What the? This is like a …hospital…)

I see you have found me. The reality of why I did not meet with you before this, should be clear.

“Yes sir,” (My God - he is barely hanging on here…I had no idea really it was this bad…)

It is time for your final reward, Glen. I know it will come as a shock to you, but, I find it best to be blunt in these matters. YOU, Glen, were my little indiscretion. You are my heir.

(WHAT!) “WHAT?” (No. He did not just say that…)

It isn’t quite what you think though. We do have to complete the transfer first!

“Um. Of course, sir. The transfer…” (This is MINE? Oh my God! NO way! I was adopted, but NO Way!!!  )

Of course, I needed someone who I could control, who’s own weak-mindedness and flaws would be easily superseded by my perfection. You will be glorious, Glen.

(What the hell is he talking about? What??  Of course...this is how he does it...I was RIGHT...Uh oh.)

Michael?







* *


(I look so much better now. Glen has integrated nicely with me - he is so weak-minded in comparison to my thousand years of mental perfection. Easily done! He’s barely fighting back. Ah - no more skeletal rictus! Hello, handsome young Heir! He is…quite perfect. I have my new book coming out, and my new body. Beautifully done.

His wife will be here soon. He has three children…not optimal, as they will not survive, but - I don’t really care. I’m in this for the long haul. What kind of accident will it be? A plane! Yes, of course! They will crash on the way out to my island to start their amazing new life. I will be such the sympathetic figure! My book sales will soar! Now…Michael should have picked her up from the Hellipad. I should go down and meet her.

Ah. I feel so good! Normal, everyday people - they are so limited in their technology - my own technology is so vastly older, so vastly superior. Poor little people. They will never understand. Well, better go meet the wifey! It might be a very happy reunion, assuming she’s worth looking at…it’s been a long long time…)

* *


Outside Eden’s Fall
PART IV: The Apple of My Eye


“Glen!” Jill rushed up to hug me. I was unprepared for her vivaciousness, for her beauty. It was as if I was seeing her as Glen did. It was an odd feeling. I hugged her back, and on impulse, picked her up and twirled her around. “Oh, Glen, you look amazing! This place has done you some good!”  She laughed. Oh - it was like music!

“You look…so good, Jill!” I hugged her again, the scent of her familiar and fresh. She fit in my arms like she was made to be here. How could Glen have ever cheated on her? Well, it was my work. I found his every weakness, and exploited it. It was hard to get him to do it. I think, now that I have access, that he was going to leave that little mistress of his…Good for Glen. More spine than I gave him credit for.

“Did Michael give you the news?”

“YES! I - I can’t believe it! We will be able to do so much GOOD with this, Glen. We will help so many people and roll back some of the damage in this world. My heart is so full right now…I just love you so much!”

“I - “ and then it hit me. Glen. God’s be damned Glen. He WAS fighting back. Smarter than I realized. Oh…the ache of it! “I - I love you too, Jill.” What is that, that FEELING. It’s HER! I can’t stand it. I - she’s - I LOVE HER! I can’t harm her…and the kids…I love the kids… Oh…oh no…This won’t do…Glen…fighting…back…

“Baby? What’s wrong…are you okay? What’s wrong…Oh my God! Help! Someone help me! Baby, baby, it’s all right! You are going to be fine, sweetheart…someone HELP ME!”

* *

I woke up in that same hospital where I’d first seen the man. Somewhere inside, he still slithered around, waiting his chance to come back to the front. It’s hard to believe he could have made such a stupid mistake. Perhaps, as I discovered the mistress part was his doing, he thought I didn’t love my wife, that I would happily leave my family. He thought I was weak.

I had started to piece together something as I looked at his history, at the radical personality departure of the young man who inherited the fortune and became a monster. It was so strange. One moment he’s a normal guy, the next, he was a master of the corporate world, a captain of industry, a brilliant financier and totally ruthless. He kept giving little hints, but nothing that made sense unless you thought he wasn’t what he seemed to be.  Unless you thought so far outside the box it seemed crazy.  And it was. 

He said he was outside Eden’s fall - well, not any more. I am firmly rooted in the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and Jill, who knows what is going on, and who is my strongest ally, we will keep the Serpent in check. We are stronger than ever. Now the world is going to get those “clean up” technologies he was withholding. They are going to get a major dent in income inequality, too. They are all going to find out what this kind of amassed power can do, in the hands of a normal person - a sane person - with the one thing my body-snatching enemies do not possess: a conscience. The Fruit of the Tree. I hope they like the taste of apples…

THE END