GREED IS GOOD

By Meta Strauss

Leonard Galbreath, CEO of GBC Enterprises, straightens his hand-tailored suit as he steps out of the stretch limo. “See you later, Henry,” he waves.

      Forty-five minutes later, Henry arrives early to pick up Mrs. Galbreath at the couple’s mansion for her bi-weekly spa appointment. The limo windows whoosh open, providing a breath of fresh sea air before the Mrs. and her perfume gags him. He spends the free time sorting his cash. There’s grocery money for his wife, funds for rent, a small amount for their church and ten bucks for the lottery. 

***

      Leonard Galbreath’s brow furrows with concern as he thinks about his day. The market is volatile. He can win or loose millions in just one morning. “Damn.” He stumbles on the disheveled man standing outside his building. “What a deadbeat,” he says to himself.

      “Here,” Leonard ruffles through his wallet, sorting through a stack of credit cards and fresh bills. He grabs a twenty and shoves it into the man’s hand as he rushes to his office. His staff freezes as if stopped in time as the demanding executive passes their desks, heals clicking on the teak floors. The din of activity begins again once he shuts the door to his palatial corner office.

      Leonard’s mind is racing. The housing market is a mess, Obama and his Democrats won’t allow stateside drilling, the weapons industry is going to tank as the military downsizes, technology is in a race with China and Missy St. Arnold is pressuring him to leave Lillian. He speaks to himself, “she’s a great piece of ass, but I never intended her to have more than the apartment, an ample allowance, and a BMW of her own.”  

      Leonard gazes through the expansive windows at the city sprawling below. He swivels his custom chair and buzzes Marjorie, his assistant for more than twenty years. She appears in seconds with her notepad, carrying a cup of Decaf Sumatra with a splash of soy.

      They go over the guest list for the art museum charity event; he bought a table for $20,000 in the company’s name. He and Lillian will hobnob with other executives and their wives while enjoying an evening of dining and dancing. 

      “Marjorie, one of the guests can’t attend so I thought you could join us,” offered the executive.

      “Mr. G., thanks for the invitation but I don’t have anything to wear to such an event.”

      “That’s no problem,” he says tossing a credit card to her. “Go buy yourself something.” He smiles, feeling good about his generosity.

***

      Lillian Galbreath, fresh from the spa, maneuvers her 500 SEL through noisy, smelly traffic. She honks her horn. “Damn it,” she cusses the Mustang blocking the parking garage. Two years ago, an architect converted a bedroom into a closet, but nothing in it is right for the museum gala. Lillian speeds down a ramp to the valet and scurries into Nordstrom. Her personal shopper has a pile of trendy outfits waiting to be judged.

      On his way to meet Henry and the limo, Leonard Galbreath again passes the man standing outside his office. “That guy is still here. Such a suck on society, ready to take a handout instead of working like the rest of us.” Feeling noble, he hands him a ten.

      The man, Robert, takes the bill and tucks it in his pocket. He worked for the county until the massive layoffs. The same month, his wife was laid off her teaching job. He started his office building vigil accidentally when he answered an ad for a job. GBC Enterprises kicked him out before he could leave a resume. While standing outside, hoping to get Mr. Galbreath’s attention, the executive handed him a twenty. It was so easy that he returns day after day, gathering cash. 

***

      That evening. Robert takes the bus, stopping at Safeway on the way home. He sits on a park bench, unfolds a bakery box, and gobbles an entire three-layer chocolate cake. 

      Henry passes Robert in the store. He buys thirty lottery tickets. Rent can be late this month. If he wins, he could stop driving for a living, could buy a house near the beach and a new car.

***

      Marjorie tries on the outfit she bought with Mr. G's credit card to see how it will look at the Art Museum party. Her mirror reflects a closet packed with designer clothes and accessories. She smiles as she adds the newest to her collection.

***

      Missy St. Arnold sits alone on her balcony sipping wine. She empties the bottle, strokes her cat and dreams of the time Leonard will divorce Lillian and marry her. Then she’ll live in a mansion full of beautiful things, driven everywhere by Henry, with all the social status she desires.

***

      Leonard Galbreath opens the DVD closet housing his collection of 4000 movies. He picks his favorite and reclines alone in his media room. He can’t wait for the scene when Michael Douglas says, “Greed is good.”

Meta Strauss, a native Houstonian, moved to Sonoma in 2005. She converted to Northern Californiaism and began writing. She reads her fun, nostalgic pieces at Reader’s Books Random Acts and is completing a novel.