KAMEN WAS HERE:

Get your fat ass out of here you no good son of a bitch; You're fired. Get out, get out!" Ryan shouted as the simpering clerk Hayden Miles backed out of the office. Ryan was an ignorant man. He exerted his power over the employees at Ryan, Dibney and Smail, in a tirade of tyrannical rage. He was the senior partner of the firm and filthy rich.

For most of his life, he grew with the belief that those with money and power should use it to oppress anyone who was weaker, or a risk to their authority. His staff had constantly felt this rage, frequently promising themselves they would get a new job, just as soon as they could. In the climate of high unemployment and low job security, that would be almost impossible. They stayed; they bowed and scraped to their master.

Ryan left the office at around 1pm. He was to attend the auction of a dilapidated building in the centre of the city. It had been home to many poor people for decades, who had nowhere else to go. In winter they sheltered from the snow there and in summer, basked in the sun on its many balconies.

As the limousine pulled up at the site of the auction, the first flakes of the winter snows began to fall. Ryan's chauffeur opened the door.

"Keep the engine running Poulan'3, he snapped. "And keep the heater on ". Ryan emerged from the warmth of the limousine into the plunging temperatures of a winter day. This weather made him happy. He knew the auction would attract few people, stupid enough to stand around in the cold while the auction proceeded. Ryan was right. Only he and another man were there.

The auctioneer arrived. Seeing only the two of them, he walked over to where they stood, shivering.

"Only you two?", he asked. Ryan and the other man nodded. "How do we want to do this" the auctioneer asked.

"It's obvious", sneered Ryan turning to the other man. "You, how much are you willing to pay?" he snapped.

The man answered," Well....I" he faltered.

"Come on man. Some of us have businesses to run. Out with it. How much?".

"Well, I only have $20,000.". He looked at the auctioneer. "but I can probably get another $10,000. You see... I want to buy the building for the poor who rely on it. It's the only thing keeping many of them ah...". Ryan interrupted.

"Pathetic, damned pathetic. The poor are scum. They deserve all they get and we'd be better off if they all froze to death. I'll pay $50,000 right here, right now." he said assertively to the auctioneer.

"Nell" replied the auctioneer, "Maybe we should wait until the weath..." Ryan interrupted again.

"Alright, $100,000. You know that's more than the place is worth. What's more," said Ryan pulling the auctioneer aside. "I'll throw in a little something for you. How does $10,000 sound?" That sealed the deal. Ryan peeled off $100,000 from a wad of cash, and handed a brown envelope to the auctioneer. Ryan was no fool. He knew there'd be palm greasing somewhere along the way.

"Our lawyers will contact yours" said the auctioneer as he signed the bill of sale. Ryan walked briskly away, sniggering to himself.

"Newspaper in the envelope gets them every time". The auctioneer walked back to his car, opening the envelope as he went. "Hey, hey Ryan" he shouted, changing his directing and walking briskly to where Ryan had stopped, waiting for him. The other man walked over too. In a few moments, the three men stood together again.

"Where's my money?, there's nothing in the envelope," said the auctioneer, trying to avoid being overheard by the other man.

"1 hope you're not suggesting I should pay you a bribe for letting me buy the building" said Ryan. He knew the auctioneer could say nothing. If he did, Ryan would deny any suggestion of payment. Besides, it was illegal and would mean jail time.

"You'll get yours you fuck'.", shouted the auctioneer as he stormed back to his car.

The other man stood near Ryan. "I want to ask you something.", he said nervously.

"Hurry up then, it's bloody cold and my balls are about to drop off" answered Ryan as the snow began to fall heavily.

"Well what are you going to do with it. There are 71 people living in it and many of them are old men and women, and there are mothers with chil...".

Ryan interrupted again. "I don't want to hear it. I don't give a damn about your pathetic old people and what's more I'm going to knock the bloody place over.. Today Now fuck off dickhead." Ryan put his open hand on the mans face and pushed him to the ground. Ryan walked to the limousine and got in. Winding down the window he shouted back at the man.

"Learn your place asshole. The poor are shit. They're a blight on the face of the earth. They'll take you down with them." Ryan closed the window.

"Get moving Bain.5., back to the office and don't piss about" he shouted at the chauffeur angrily. The limousine pulled away.

Ryan picked up the phone and pressed several buttons.

"Get me Smail.." he snorted at the receptionist. "Smail.. just shut up and listen8 I want you to get you ass over to the courthouse. I want an eviction order for 4529, Three temples Avenue. I want it within the hour.a. See to it." Ryan hung up the phone. He looked out the limousine window. The weather was worsening and it would please him immensely to throw all those old and poor 'squatters' out in the snow.

Ryan was met at his office door by a nervous Oliver Smail. He waved a document at Ryan.

"Here it is" he said. "Those people are as good as evicted."

"Well", said Ryan approvingly as a smile of self satisfaction crossed his face. "You've outdone yourself Smail....Good job". He took the document from Smail and walked briskly into his office.

Oliver Smail had worked for Ryan for many years and had bowed and scraped to his every whim. Although it had got him nowhere in the company, Ryan had never shouted at or belittled him. This made Smail subservient to Ryan which made Ryan trust him completely. Ryan called him into his office.

"Oliver, are you up to a major task?, one which could get you ahead in this company."

Smail thought for less than a second before agreeing to do whatever it was his boss required of him.

"Sure", he answered suspiciously for he knew nothing Ryan did was for any good motive and nothing good would come of it but for Ryan. That was his nature.

"Good... good." he said quickly to Smail. "I want you to get your ass over to the first National bank. You will see a Mr Johnstone who will give you a bag containing a very large sum of money. You will bring that bag directly back to me here, do you understand?"

Smail nodded his compliance, turned on his heels and left the office. It was peculiar for Ryan to want a large sum of cash to brought to the office. The last time Smail could remember that happening was 1995 during the political decision making on "WTX9l", a delousing chemical designed and manufactured by one of Ryan's companies. It was being defended at a hearing deciding whether or not to ban it. "WTX91" had caused severe birth defects in several children, who had been born without eyes as the direct result of their mothers use of the chemical. Ryan paid off three congressmen and the chemical remained in use.

Smail walked to the bank since it was only three blocks away. As he approached 3rd Avenue a man approached him. "Mister", he said from a nearby doorway. "Come here". Smail turned his head. He instantly recognised him as the man who had approached Ryan at the apartment block earlier on. At first Smail walked on, not wanting to be mugged or worse, dragged into a debate about the poor and homeless. Smail didn't care much for these people but all the same he didn't forget where he'd come from either. The man followed Smail, calling him repeatedly. Finally after walking a block and a half Smail stopped. "Ok, what the hell do you want?" he snapped, annoyed at the man following him.

"You gotta do something... You gotta. Those poor people, they're all gonna be tossed out on their asses. Look man, the weather's turning to shit. They'll die in the cold. Have you ever seen a man frozen solid on the pavement? It's a pretty shitty sight. Smail thought for a moment then said "What the hell do you want me to do about it. It's not my decision. You have to take it up with Mr Ry..."

"No good, no bloody good and you know it. Ryan's a bastard. He doesn't give a shit about the poor. Put yourself in their position, what do you think it would feel like being thrown into the rain and snow from your home where you have lived for many years. You know what's the right thing to do. Stop Ryan"

Smail looked down. He saw his footprints in the light coating of snow on the city pavement. He looked up. The man was gone. Smail looked around to see where he was, but the man had simply vanished. As he looked down at the snow again, he saw only one set of footprints; his. It was as if the man had never been there.

For the rest of the way to the bank then the walk back to the office, what the man had said to Smail ran through his mind over and over. Smail was on the horns of a dilemma. On one hand he felt sorry for the people his boss was going to put out in the street that day. On the other he knew his loyalties must remain with his employer since it was he who paid Smails wages. If he went against Ryan, he would be sacked and Smail knew he needed all of his wages, just to make ends meet. He knew that sometimes a man had to do things he wouldn't normally do, especially if his livelihood depended on it.

Twenty minutes later Smail returned to the office with the bag from the bank. No sooner than he arrived Ryan called him to his office.

"Did you get it ?" he asked Smail. Smail nodded, "Yes, it's all here" he said quietly.

"What the hell's wrong with you?" snapped Ryan. Smail shrugged his shoulders. As he looked across the desk at the smug Ryan, Smail couldn't remember when he'd anyone that much.

Ryan stood up from behind his desk and beckoned Smail to follow him. The two men left the office and walked to the elevators. Ryan turned to Smail and said, "Don't let them bother you. The poor are merely a blight on society....Hell man, if I let myself worry about them even for a moment, I'd never do half of the business I do. Just put them out of your mind altogether...I do."

The two men got into the limousine. Smail felt down. There was a pervading feeling of sadness deep within him which was eating him alive. They were on the way to toss out many poor and sick tenants from their homes in the middle of winter. Smail looked out the window of the limousine. In the faces of poor people walking the street he could see a desperate plea for help. Suddenly, Smail turned to his boss. Ryan turned to look at Smail. In his eyes he saw pure hate.

"What's going on Smail?.. Why are you looking at me like that?" he said with a quiver in his voice.

"You bastard, you really don't know do you." Smail turned to the driver," Dam, stop the car, I'm getting out here". Dam shrugged his shoulders looking in the rear view mirror, seeking approval from Ryan. Ryan nodded, the limousine pulled up with a jerk and Smail got out.

Standing in the gutter with the door open Smail said, "I hope you get all you deserve Ryan. I'm out of here. I'm sick of being one of your flunkies and that's all I was. Then they're the people who give you power aren't they?. Without them Ryan, you're nothing". He slammed the door. Bain sped off with his cargo of cash.

Smail headed to the apartment block. Although it would have been easier to go with Ryan in the limousine, he couldn't bear to be near him any longer.

After a brisk ten minute walk Smail was at the apartment building. Outside, workmen were everywhere. He could see the figure of Ryan, waving his arms and shouting orders as police began dragging elderly people out into the snow, many clad in very thin clothing and some clutching all of their worldly possessions. Most of them were crying and shouting. An old woman begged Ryan to leave them alone because if they were thrown into the street, some would surely die. Smail watched angrily as Ryan punched the old woman in the stomach leaving her squirming in pain on the cold, cold ground. He could contain himself no longer and ran to her side.

He sat the old woman up, cradling her in her arms, "I'm sorry, so sorry" he said, a tear in his eye. The old woman looked up at him. She smiled weakly, "It isn't your fault" she said sadly." No one will help us; We are the scum of the earth". Those were her last words. A few seconds later the old woman died in Smails arms. Anger erupted in the usually docile Smail. He lay the old woman on the snow and walked quickly to where Ryan stood. As he approached him, Ryan could see rage in the eyes of his ex employee. With no warning Smail lunged at Ryan, punching him and knocking him to the ground. Within seconds the police had reached the two men and set about brutally apprehending Smail. Ryan got to his feet.

"You think you've won you nothing. I can buy and sell you a million times over. I'll see to it you rot in jail for the rest of your life". As Ryan ranted the police took Smail to the police van and locked him in the back. Knowing Smail could see him from the van, Ryan took the bag containing the money and called the poor around him. There was a fire in an oil drum around which the poor were warming themselves. Ryan instructed the work men to put out the fire then take all of the belongings the poor left in the building and place them in the road outside the building. The poor were kept away from their belongings by workmen with batons. When the pile was complete, Ryan shouted over a loudhailer, "You trash want warmth, warm yourself around this pile of rubbish" He laughed sadistically as the pile was ignited. People screamed and tried to rescue their belongings but they were beaten off with batons. Smail kicked against the door of the police van in a vane attempt to put a stop to Ryan's Barbarism. The steel was too strong and Smail could only watch helplessly as all the belongings burned. Not content with this, Ryan yelled to the poor once again on the loudhailer. " Here is money, more money than all of you scum will ever see. I have brought it here for you so that you may get what you deserve and you will get exactly what you deserve.

Ryan took $100,000 from the bag and beckoned to the poor to get their share. As they approached him Ryan threw all of the money into the fire built with the remains of their lives. "You shouldn't have pissed me about " he shouted as the poor stood and watched the money burn. Ryan called for the police to remove all of the poor people who had inhabited the apartment building, which they did very quickly.

One of the workmen went to Ryan. "We're ready to blast sir" he said, The building had been laid with explosives and Ryan intended to have it demolished that very day.

"Let her go" said Ryan, happy he was going to get his way.

A siren sounded as the men prepared to demolish the building. Smail, still watching from the police van could do nothing as Ryan gave the order to detonate. A huge "foomp" was heard as the explosives unleashed their terrible fury. "You shouldn't have done that" came a voice from behind Ryan. He looked and saw Kamen standing there. Smail could see him too but no one else was aware of his presence. All went strangely quiet. The blast didn't seem to have had any effect at all. Ryan had the feeling something was wrong. Suddenly he looked up. It was too late to do anything but let out the beginning of an almighty shriek though as the top six feet of a chimney stack crashed onto him. Ryan was crushed instantly, staining the white snow like a dollop of strawberry jam. As people rushed to see what he was screaming about they saw his remains spread there on the ground.

"What the hell caused that?", asked a police officer. There was no sign of the chimney, just Ryan's remains and a red inscription in the snow, "Kamen was here".





The End...