Beginning

“So, what do you think?”

The hired help had all cleared the room. There was no more evidence of the fine meal they had enjoyed. The cards and chips were packed away, too. The card game was finished and a new winner had been crowned. All that remained of the earlier festivities was the cloud of smoke from the lone smoker. From out of this James had proposed his idea for a different kind of contest.

The other six looked at each other, no one sure that they really wanted to commit. This would mean an incredible amount of time and they were all busy people. It would also be no small amount of money. And, always a concern, would it make them look foolish?

Still…there was an upside as well. All seven of them were intensely competitive. Their annual card game had been it’s usual cut-throat affair. It was Rex’s turn to host and he had outdone himself. The food and the service had been top notch. His lavish yacht had been the perfect setting. Here they had privacy. More importantly, they were able to get away from the desperate people. The suck-ups and beggars. After the card game, six of them would poorer but it would be money that they risked and lost fair and square.

After the game, came this new proposal. It was large and grand and tickled the vanities of several of them. It would mean a lasting legacy for each and every one of them. Still…

“Maybe you could go through the details one more time,” drawled Rex. “I’m not sure I understand exactly what it is that you’re proposing. Some kind of ‘art’ thing?”

“It could be. Look, I’ve had rules drawn up and everything but let me run through the gist of this thing again.” A pause and he made certain everyone was watching him. They were of course. James had their full attention.

“It’s a simple game. Each of us will build a Wonder of the World.”

“What like the Pyramids or something?”

“Sure, if that’s what you want to build. Some kind of Wonder that will be recognized all around the world. Each of us will be given one year to test it out. The one with the highest number of tourists at the end of that year wins half of the prize.”

“So we’re building tourist traps?”

“I said that’s only half of it. We’ll also convene a board of, oh, historians or something to judge which of these will be remembered longest. Which one posterity will treat the best.” He paused and could see that they were all chewing over this second part. “I know that this will be the more difficult test and, of course, the more subjective. I’ve outlined a plan that I think will be fair but I’m open to negotiation on it.”

“Why would we be doing this?”

“To put your mark on the world!” Uncertain glances filled the room. “Or if that doesn’t convince you, then do it to prove that you can do it better than me.”

More glances. “And when do we need to make this decision?”

“Well, I’m open on that, too. Off the top of my head I was thinking that we could take a week or so to decide on something. Maybe take a year or so for construction time and then the real contest begins.”

“Total number of tourists? What if someone undercuts the price to inflate their numbers?”

“Details. We could set some kind of guideline or something. I had in mind tying it in with our home states as some way to encourage tourism. I know that would skew the numbers too, so we could play with that number too.” He knew that he was getting into the weeds and that was where he was most likely to lose them. It had happened fast.

“What a load of crap! Build some kind of arty history thing? I’ve got products coming out. They need my attention. I can’t afford to spend a year with this kind of stuff.”

“Casey, I just wanted to give you a chance to win some of your money back. Possibly some of your reputation too.”

“What do you mean by that? My reputation is just fine!”

“Well, we’ve been coming here for what, seven years now? And how many times have you been the big winner?”

Casey shifted in his seat. “Well, I’ve never hit it big but I’ve always been dangerous!”

“You’ve been the first one out in five years. The second one to cash in once. And then there was that special year when you came in third.”

“So cards aren’t my specialty!”

“I’m trying to give you a chance at something else.” He was losing the man and he knew it. He wanted to strike at his vanity but he’d gone too far. From across the table, Rex gave him a hand.

“Aw, come on Casey. You know those products launch better if you stay out of their hair anyway don’cha? At least hear the man out. Who knows, maybe you’d be good at this. Your wife is into art, isn’t she?”

He’d forgotten about that. That was exactly the angle he should have chosen. He’d have to thank Rex. Privately, of course.

“Casey, you really should at least run the idea past her. Maybe she could come up with a good idea.” He had at least paused the man, if not convinced him. “Look, we don’t need an answer tonight. You can have a week if you want.” A quick glance at the rest of the room. “More time than that if everyone agrees.”