Post by afr on Nov 17, 2007 18:17:43 GMT -5
Oh, my head... My eyes... It's still dark... It's difficult to breathe... I find myself sitting in a broken ass chair. My limbs tied and my face bagged, but that compared nothing to the drug induced hang over. The voices around me are slowed, almost to a halt. I struggle, but to no use. Only a matter of time now, a bullet to the head, a slice to my neck. They mock me and make me wait for it. Who are they? An angry client perhaps, Bill collectors? No... This is not like them, not like this. Not even a week ago my bastard father kicked the bucket. Guilty by association, too bad the fucker didn't have the decency to share a childhood along with his lowly name. My eyelids grew heavy and burned as the veil was pulled from my face. So much white in a single room should be illegal. Everything from the marble tile on the floor to the line of ceiling fans. In contrast to the room, Seven men in black business suits provided an audience to see me at my weakest. I tried to see them, but all of their faces registered as a blur. "Glad to see you've awakened, Welcome to Gravitech, Doctor Voss." I heard the voice, but couldn't put it to a source. That name... Gravitech, my father's business. He had offered once on my twentieth, and once on my thirtieth birthdays to see the main facility. Needless to say I never took him up on his offers. I wanted to separate myself as much as I could from his work. It appears now my efforts were all in vane. "Do you know why you are here, Doctor Voss?" My eyes strained to see, but it was no use. I directed my voice to the man in the middle of my audience. "No, I don't... what do you want of me?" My voice was low and my mouth tasted like cardboard. They continued, " Your father, Kevin Voss, has left a message to you. It is about your inheritance." I scoffed and shot back, " I want nothing to do with that man. All he gave me was a name and a broken life. He was an adulterer and a criminal. I am glad he died, my only regret is that it wasn't more painful." My defiant attitude caused a ripple among the seven, but they were hushed quickly. A slide show screen lowered in front of the seven. I gave a sigh of relief as the lights dimmed and a reel began to play. A man who was not my father spoke in a silhouette. "Welcome Doctor Voss, I don't allow non-employees to see me. I apologize for not being part of your audience today." I shifted uncomfortably in my seat as the man continued. "Knowing my name would be a bit too much to allow, but you may refer to me as "G". It is a pleasure Doctor Voss, but we have a business matter to attend to." He cleared his throat and some papers shuffled before he continued. "Your father has informed us in an unauthorized signing of his will that you will be given 100% of his power over Gravitech and it's syndicates, but that much power given your absence in anything relating his field experience or his presence in your life demands you to prove your abilities." The page turns and his voice becomes more official. "I here-by decree my soul beneficiary of my wealth, my title, and my power, to be my first born son Doctor Larry K. Voss, under the condition that he could complete a series of tasks set by an assembly of my peers. These tasks would be stretched out to give ample time to complete each one in a manner that would show his ability to prevail in the caliber necessary to become the figurehead my company deserves." G set the papers down and folded his hands on the desk. " We, the executives of Gravitech, the major shareholders, and the heads of our syndicate companies have all submitted one task each to you that would prove your worth. That totals up to One-hundred tasks in One-hundred days. If you are successful after the One-hundred days everything would be yours to do with it what you wish, but should you fail any task you withdraw your share of the inheritance and will sign off any knowledge of any of the events that had occurred. We do not expect an answer today, you will be put up in the finest hotel on us for your troubles. Then tomorrow you will be brought back here to fill out the necessary paperwork. Should you accept our offer I will be there, in person this time to explain to you further the rules of your tasks." The video stopped and the screen was raised. My head was throbbing and the room was spinning. "The ball is in your court Doctor Voss... Doctor Voss?..." My eyes rolled over as the Head of the seven spoke. "Think about it Doctor Voss. Your troubles could end in a matter of months." Date 4/5/07.