Just business

I leaned slightly towards Johnson who was seated to my right at the business meeting table.

"I can't believe that Parlone decided to do the merger, and that the board approved."

He responded without emotion, "Well with the profit increases leveling off, they are afraid of losing their dreams."

"If I can't dream, why can someone who has everything money can buy dream?"

He did not respond. Bill pulled out another flow chart, and i sighed. Suddenly, the door opened and ten men in black clothing entered the room. We all turned to face them, they were not supposed to be here.

Johnson coughed, and the man in front of the black entourage spoke.

"You have been asked to come with us."

Bill started to protest, but was cut short. "It would be in your best interest not to resist."

We filed out of the room, past the secretary's desk. Marlene watched me pass her with an unspeakable fear across her face. I turned away and followed the group down the elevators silently. We were put into separate black cars, which pulled out of the garage and went different directions. My driver was wearing sunglasses, and did not even glance backwards when backing up.

I spoke up. "Where are you taking us?"

Nothing.

Eventually, we ended up in an old tunnel that was no longer used for large amounts of traffic. I was ushered out of the car. It was much darker out than earlier. We walked into the yellow light of the dying tunnel. I stepped over a body. It was Johnson. I looked away. A few feet away stood Bill. He seemed to have urinated himself. Another escort was standing across from him. I stopped by his side.

"Sorry Bill."

The two men raised their glocks and pointed them at our heads. I smiled a little, to hide my moment of sadness. In my quest for my "dreams" I did not love. I did not grow or become a better person. In the flash of muzzle light I said farewell to the world, and the last image I saw was Bill's face staring into my own as we fell into the yellow infinite of an abandoned tunnel.

The two men walked out, and one said this:

"Well that concludes business for today, huh?"

"Yeah."