Ray howled sarcastically out of shock behind Rove as he stood up. Rove never felt nervous much anymore in his life, however at that moment it shook him to the core. When he stood and saw the smiling face of Riddle, and all the applauding people he felt remarkably small. The excitement due to the announcement carried its way through dinner, and into dessert, as the table was abuzz with healthy conversation. Dinner came to a close, and Riddle and Larynx retook the stage.
“And now the time you’ve all been waiting for,” Eric Larynx announced excitedly. Peter Riddle continued, “We have already announced the final three candidates, and I am happy to allow Eric this year to have the honor of announcing the winner.”
Eric pulled out an envelope, opened it, and paused for a moment, “Let me take this anxious moment to remind you of the purpose of this award. The Larynx-Riddle Harmony Prize is awarded to someone that has truly made a difference in the world, and to the people they serve. They have also promoted the values of the Larynx-Riddle Foundation, and will wear the medal proudly. In addition to a solid gold medal, the recipient receives a monetary prize of over fifteen million dollars to go towards any philanthropic organization of their choosing. I would like to take this time to thank all of our contributors, both public and private, that have made that monetary amount what it is today.” The people in the room clapped, with a bit of hesitation clearly waiting eagerly for the name to be announced. Smiling, Eric Larynx smoothed the paper out, and announced, “The recipient of the tenth annual Larynx-Riddle Harmony Prize is…our own President of Virtagwalla, Xavier Rove!”
27
The room erupted into applause and fanfare. Hampton Ray smacked Xavier Rove on the back as he stood to approach the stage. Quickly ascending he shook hands with the two men, and bowed his head to receive the metal. Pushing him to Larynx’s vacated lectern, Rove removed a series of note cards from his jacket.
Clearing his throat and observing the metal, “Wow! If only my father could see me today, he would surely be proud,” he looked back at the audience, “I am extremely honored and thrilled to be receiving this award. Even more so, I am deeply humbled to be the first Virtagwallan to ever obtain this unbelievable honor,” he paused and looked at the two men, “Mr. Larynx, and Mr. Riddle, you are titans that walk amongst us. If each and every person dedicated half of the time to helping others as you two have, than our society would be that much better for it. Thank you for this nobility. I don’t think I can put into words the pride that I carry and the humility I feel by wearing this metal. So I say simply thank you,” he turned back to the audience who applauded at this comments of appreciation, “Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I come to you tonight not as your president, or to some of you a president of a foreign land, but as a friend and fellow human. Many of you may not know this, but my father, David Rove, besides being a shrewd businessman was also the first philanthropist I ever knew. My father ran a pretty tight ship, but he surely had a heart. Every evening my father would take the food from the bakery and produce sections of our little shop that was extra, and dropped it off, personally, at different food shelters all over the city of Villaggio. My father, for Christmas, would take us to give presents to children that wouldn’t be receiving any in the neighborhood, and would quite frequently give shoes or cloths to those who came into the store and simply could not afford them. He would tell me stories of when he was young, and his mother and father barely made ends meet. It was a neighborhood store, much like his own, which would frequently, quietly, support him and his siblings, along with my grandparents, with clothing and food. My father said it was his mission to give back, just as he was once given. My father was truly an admirable man.”
Looking around he continued, “Growing up with an influence like that, has made me sympathetic to the simple underlying fact of the humanity that connects us all. I am honored to receive this award, and even more deeply honored to know that even in days like this, when the world outside of these walls seems to be unsure, afraid, and challenging, we can come together to celebrate the simplicity of one man offering a helping hand to another. Much like my father did on the most basic and fundamental of levels. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to announce the establishment of the David Rove Memorial Foundation. This foundation, based off my father David Rove’s style of simple generosity and neighborhood assistance, will work to improve the quality of life of every single person, of this island, and as we expand, of nations around the world.” There was thundering applause.
Lyons turned to Ray, and he smiled nodding his head, and telling her to turn forward, as Rove continued, “I will take this initial fifteen million and invest it in a long term wealth generating endowment that will help to sustain this foundation well into the future. To lead this charge, I am naming my Chief of Staff and close personal friend Hampton Ray as the president and CEO of the David Rove Memorial Foundation,” there was another brief round of applause as Lyons turned to look at Ray, who smiled even larger and again pointed to the front. Rove took a brief pause, “In conclusion, my friends we have a fabulous opportunity to go into our communities and make a difference; a difference that you may not automatically see, but will be felt for generations to come. If you aren’t already, please, take your place of power or reliance of wealth and change someone’s life. You will not regret it. Thank you again, and good night.” He shook Larynx and Riddle’s hands again. Settling down in his chair the entire table congratulated him, and he shook Ray’s hand winking at him. Lyons simply sat by stunned, attempting to put all the pieces together.
Riddle and Larynx again resumed their lecterns, but this time simply to thank everyone for coming and wishing them a safe journey home and to have a fantastic night. Rove was quickly approached by what seemed like everyone in the room to congratulate him, and ask how they can help to contribute to the new foundation. Funnel them to Hampton Ray, Rove moved through the line of suitors. At one point he leaned back to Ray, and whispered sarcastically, “So much for my slumping approval rating.”
After an hour of schmoozing, Riddle and Larynx finally approached. Riddle quickly said his congrats again, but was just as quickly taken away by someone wanting him for a picture. Being left with Larynx, Rove instantly felt a sense of tension.
Sliding his hands in his pockets, Eric Larynx nodded politely, “Congratulations Mr. President, you truly deserve it.”
“Well thank you Eric I sincerely appreciate it,” he examined the metal, “It’s too bad you can’t give yourselves the award because the two of you surely deserve it more than I do.”
“That’s the nice thing about giving the award,” he winked, “I never have to receive it,” changing in the subject, “So Xavier where is your wife this evening?”
Laughing casually, “Oh she said she was going to have a long night at the lab with some of her students. Did you give her another assignment? A round of congratulations in order, I have been told, your hwy 100 project has been approved?”
Larynx nodded, “Yes it was. Barely, however, I had to do some serious negations but we got it done,” he rolled his eyes, “But no, I did not give her anymore work. In fact I haven’t even heard from her since she came to deliver the report’s results over a week ago.”
“Well yes she got stuck at the lab tonight. Oh the life of a scientist,” he snickered.
“It’s a shame she didn’t get to see you win this award, I mean personally I think it’s a pretty impressive achievement. I just wanted to let you know I was pulling for you the whole time,” Larynx smiled, “Honestly, I can’t think of anyone better from this island to receive it for the very first time, except for maybe the new RPC President. Poor chap, he really has his work cut out for him. ”
Rove responded quickly, “They named someone?”
“Yes, yes we have,” Larynx nodded shifting his stance, “Fredrick Chronics, and I am sure your government made sure he was very highly endorsed,” he gave a mysterious smile.
“The Old Prime Minister? And what
do you mean, “Highly endorsed”?” Rove asked confused.
“One in the same. And come on Rove, we know how much pressure your government was putting on us to select the previous Prime Minister Fredrick Chronic for this post. You politicians always watching out for each other’s backs,” after sensing the prolonged confusion on the President’s face he continued, “During our deliberations of our candidates, we received a letter from the Parliament with its endorsement of him,” Larynx rolled his eyes and gave a frustrated laugh.
“Thank you Eric, but I need to be going,” Rove said reaching out his hand to shake Larynx’s. Reluctantly, and slowly, Eric raised his hand to shake Rove’s. It was a slow tense handshake, and then Rove realized Larynx wasn’t looking into his eyes. The two men let go, and Larynx quickly scurried away. The night and crowd began to thin, as Rove, Ray, and Lyons moved off to the car. Private Harvey met up with them, and climbed in after all three had made their way into the rear of the car. Shutting the door, the car began to pull away. Ray looked at Rove and smiled, “The Foundation’s net worth is somewhere near a half a billion dollars already.”
“Great,” Rove said smiling, “You know what to do,” said removing the medal.
Ray nodded, “It’s got to be a slow process so as to not attract attention. But I am all over it. I will start tomorrow morning.”
Lyons looked between the two of them, “I really hope for all of our sakes this is legal.”
“It’s a philanthropic organization Ms. Lyons,” Rove said blatantly. Remembering something quickly, “Ray, have you heard anything about of the government pressuring the RPC in their selection process of their new President and CEO?”
He shook his head negatively, “Who is it?”
“Fredrick Chronic,” Rove answered quickly.
“As in the former Prime Minister, Fredrick Chronic? I thought he was a professor at the University these days?” Ray said slowly scratching his head. Refocusing, “Are you saying there was governmental influence on who was selected as the new RPC President, and you knew nothing of it?”
“Larynx said it came from the Parliament. I am assuming Sensado or Zhang had something to do with it,” Rove hypothesized looking out the window, noticing the reflection of his metal and smiled faintly.
Ray remarked matter-of-factly, “I mean I guess it could make sense, we did lend them billions and billions of dollars.”
Rove sighed, “Yes that may be true, but the role of government is not to play a role in the decision making process of a board of directors of the private company. Let’s just hope Chronic gets the job done, and repays that money. I want to get us out of RPC. We have far bigger issues to take care of than dealing with failing power companies.”
The limousine zoomed down the highway over Ponchertrain en route to the Capital Tower under the crystal clear skies of Ponchertrain.
28
The Virtagwallan World Bank each year on the afternoon of the largest football game in the Pacific Ocean, between the University of Virtagwalla and University of Hawaii, hosted a celebration with drinks and good sentiments. Hundreds of the richest and most influential people were invited, and it was hosted in the bank’s grand entryway. When the bank built the tower, the entry way was modeled after an ancient Roman bathhouse, and the teller stations were cleverly imbedded so as to not mess with the flow and gusto of the space. As the bank expanded around the world and became the mammoth of an institution it developed into, the VWB grew into the grandeur of its entry space. However the elegant architecture didn’t end at the elevators; the entire building had been designed to impress.
The space did not disappoint, as Xavier and Rachel Rove were dropped off by their driver, Private Harvey, and preceded into the chattering crowd.
Snarling into Xavier’s ear through a forced smile, “Thank god we found captain court marshal something productive to do. Nothing like seeing my tax dollars at work,” she gave a small wave at someone as the two of them, arm in arm cut through the crowd.
Instantly one figure began moving toward them amongst the mass of people. Rachel instantly sighed and attempted to hide behind Rove. Before he was able to ask his wife why she was climbing around him, he noticed whom she had seen.
“How faultless it is to lope into you this afternoon President Rove,” Sylvester Chamberlain reached out his large hand with its sausage fingers.
Xavier plastered a fake smile on his face, as he pulled out his wife from behind him, “Chancellor Chamberlain today is the big day! UV versus Hawaii, the decades old rivalry,” Rove quipped shaking hands with him, as he pushed his evading wife in front of him.
“Oh you are quite accurate President Rove the bout is simply a sprinkle of hours ahead of now, isn’t she,” his pompous nature boasting, “Oh Madam first lady, how could I let pass your amiable nature?” He grabbed her hand and kissed it. Rachel slammed her heel into Xavier’s foot, and he took the pain knowing he deserved it. He enjoyed watching Rachel squirm in front of her boss. It always made him laugh.
Pulling her hand quickly back to her side she snooped, “And who is this with you Chancellor?” her eagerness to know allowed Rachel to overlook the fact that Chamberlain had left slobber on her hand from his moist lips.
“Aw quite,” he excitedly said pulling a girl from behind his back. She was thin, and attractive, but an unorthodox attractive that Rove could not quite figure out. Her plain lines and bare features made her face one that could be easily lost in a crowd. Chamberlain pushed her forward; her awkward smile making it instantly uncomfortable for Rachel and Xavier. Howling with pride, as if showing off his prized thoroughbred, “This delightful lass is Tanya Handel,” she shook hands with Rachel and Xavier. Rachel’s mind began working because the girl’s name triggered something in her. Curiosity began to drive her, blocking out the ensuing conversation between Xavier and Chamberlain. She didn’t even notice how Tanya stared in wonder at Chamberlain and Xavier, as if amazed by the greatness of the two of them. Finally the large man waddled away with the girl dragging behind him gloating over him with admiration and excitement.
“That’s who he left his wife for?” Xavier speculated turning to Rachel.
Snapping out of her trance, “I know that girl.”
“What do you mean you know her? Have you met her before?” Xavier asked curiously.
Rachel struggled for a few moments, and then mindless remarked, “She is a student at the University. A graduate student if I am not mistaken. I believe she’s friends with one of my mentees,” pausing for a moment biting her lip, “You know what, she is, because the other day in the lab she was talking about her new boyfriend with my mentee, but refused to divulge whom it was. She is working towards a PhD in political science if I am not mistaken. Oh yes, this is the loony one that wants to be actress, I remember now,” she laughed, looking at her husband’s confused face.
Before Xavier could respond, something caught Rachel’s eye. Pushing her husband she asked, “Hunny, can you please go get me a drink? I think I am going to need something before we meet with anyone else.”
Surprised by the romantic tone she used with him, he agreed and moved off quickly.
“Where’s Xavier going?” Eric Larynx asked as he reached Rachel.
“I don’t think having you and my husband together is the best thing right now,” Rachel snorted looking at him.
Laughing, “You are aware I gave him an award just a couple days ago? If I remember correctly that was an event that you didn’t make it to because you were in a lab or something,” he flirtatiously winked.
“Stop it, I really was in the lab,” wanting to change the subject to something that wouldn’t warrant strong sentiments, “I hear you were approved on both of your projects?”
Nodding his head, and picking up the hint that she was uncomfortable, “God, what is it with the Rove family and knowing all my secrets?” he laughed at himself, but moved on quickly noticing Rachel didn’t find it funny, “Yes we have actually already started work on the
power site,” he took a sip of his beer, “If I had to estimate I would say we would be up and running in two months, tops.”
“As were our estimations,” Rachel said looking around nervously. She then noticed someone heading straight towards them.
“Dr. Rove, and Mr. Larynx, good to see the two of you this afternoon” Mayor Jon Pacer greeted as he intruded into their conversation. Shaking hands with Eric, “I am glad to hear the highway 100 project has finally been approved by the Parliament. I am sure you probably had to jump through some pretty steep hoops to get that accomplished?”
They laughed, and Eric began explaining some of the hassle he encountered and mentioned how the First Lady has assisted him in his task. Rachel remained silent from her nervousness, only supporting her sentiment by darting her eyes all over the room and trying to avoid the situation. Larynx touched her shoulder; “We were successful because of the creativity of Dr. Rove here and her student’s project of observing the ecological impacts of the potential rail on the ecosystem. She really did some great work,” he winked at her and she looked away bashfully.
The event, the Larynx kiss, had run through her head hundreds, probably thousands of times – over and over. She had dreamt about it, a couple times even as Xavier lay next to her. The thought was so comforting because it seemed so natural, so necessary – so unlike anything she had experienced in such a long time. There was something deep down that drove her to Eric Larynx. Her conscience, on the other hand, kept it tame by whipping it and reminding her of her commitments to Xavier Rove.
“I have heard great things of her skills in the field of environmental engineering,” Pacer complimented, nodding his head.
Xavier had reappeared apologizing to his wife for taking so long. Kay Lyons approached with him, and he greeted everyone introducing Lyons to the each person in his group including his wife. Instantly Rachel narrowed her eyes on Xavier. Rachel screamed at Xavier in her head, accusing him of everything lustful under the sun. He approached Rachel, handing her drink to her. Resuming his spot next to his wife, she again slammed her heel into his foot. He nudged her, and looked at her, rolling his eyes, he turned back to Pacer who was vying for his attention.
utopia unraveling (The Virtagwala Series Book 1) Page 16
