God's Factory
Page 6
caring side and to encourage a reversion to the good type. I have to say there are now many billions of different types and the sheer number gives me a real headache on my databases. So, occasionally, just now and again, I start a redundancy campaign. Changing the climate often does the trick. It's experience you see.
"In your case, however, you are running with some very outdated human characteristics. Frankly I've had more difficulty with humans than any other and you sit fairy high up in my league of weaknesses. In fact, the way you are playing, Godley, you could well end up winning the league.
"You see, my business is a bit like running a factory. The more complex your end product, the more likely it is to have quality issues and rejects. Learn from my business, Godley. Keep your gnomes simple. Never introduce any high technology and never try getting too clever."
The Voice stopped and the silence descended once more.
"I don't like this," Godley muttered. "Who the fuck are you?"
"As I said, Godley, I'm your Chief Executive just out on a trouble shoot. You see, Godley, you can't just take a company name without it being ratified - particularly one called Godley Investments. You see, I already own the trade name, the brand name and the marketing and distribution rights. With your record, I wouldn't even be willing to grant you a franchise. I started my business long before you stole that poor kid's sausage.
"Where does it say in your Memorandum and Articles of Association that you can act as a banker, Godley? And how do you define investments? You see, I think you invest in Arthur Godley whereas I have always invested in people."
"So, for the hundredth time, who the fuck are you?" shouted Godley. "And where has my five million quid gone?"
"Your money is safe, Godley. It will be re-invested. I have an 'Investors in People' plaque on my office wall. I don't see one on yours. Also, I'm not the Chief Executive of Godley Investments but the Chief Executive of Godly Investments. There is a subtle difference in the spelling as you should have spotted when transferring the money. Never trust anyone, Godley, you should know that by now. But, in brief, you have become a victim of just the sort of deals you specialise in. You win some and you lose some. Live and learn, Mr Godley. Learn to take the rough with the smooth. Goodbye."
Arthur Smedley Godley, still sitting in his white leather executive swivel chair, stared into the total darkness. Churning inside his stomach were some new and very strange feelings. He felt nervous, vulnerable, unimportant, lonely and victimised. He felt small and insignificant like one of his gnomes. Worst of all, he felt poor.
Suddenly, without warning, the office lights came on. Godley looked around, blinking in the brightness. Everything was exactly as it had been before his visitor arrived. He switched on his computer and went quickly online to check his bank statement. Somehow, he had, within the last half hour, transferred five million pounds to a company called Godly Investments.
"Oh, my God," Godley screamed and burst into tears.
THE END
About the author
Terry Morgan started writing stories and poetry while travelling worldwide with his own exporting company. Having worked in over seventy countries (“some so many times I lost count”) he now lives in Petchabun, Thailand. He writes mainly serious novels with a strong international background but intersperses it with less serious satire and humour like ‘God’s Factory’.
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