A grin stretched across my face as I watched the last company crumble. I sat alone in my favorite room in my favorite mansion on my favorite island as I watched the news on my news station. I have been the most powerful man on the planet ever since I had taken over the gas stations, the ranches, the farms… And now, I finally have control over everything since the last company that had rivaled against me, Walmart, is now bowing at my feet and burning in the fire of my wealth and power. This must be how it feels to win Monopoly, not that anyone would ever truly know since no one can ever finish the game.

“Mr. Drews! Mr. Drews!” Ugh, this voice that called my name brought great discomfort to me. It whined and complained in every word, I am practically certain. It belonged to a man who has the brains and wit of one almost as great as me, but he carried himself so humbly, only I knew of his great intelligence. I kept him around to help me run the companies (or should I say, the world) and to take some of the weight off of my shoulders. I heard his hefty footsteps hobble down the hall. “Mr. Drews?” He was outside my door, but he would not dare come in, for he knew that room is one he shall never perturb. I ignored him.

“Halford?” This voice grabbed my attention. It belonged to the body of the woman who changed me. Who saw the good in me. Who opened my eyes to a cruel and selfish world. I wanted nothing but to change it for her.

“Yes, love? Please come in,” I turned to the opening door and watched her slender figure slip through. I stood, touched her chocolate hair, and looked in her eyes. Her eyes that could make me fall in love with her over and over again. She was the one I loved most. I loved her almost as much as I loved my power… Or I mean, my love for power came second to my love for her…

“The people would like to hear what you have to say,” she said. I squeezed her arm affectionately and walked out to my front lawn. My news crew was ready. They handed me the microphone, and I looked straight into the eye of the camera.

“People of Earth, for forty years I have worked to gather all companies and industries under my control: Anything and everything you could possibly buy, any place you could work for, and any law enforcement or services in existence. Everything is cheaper now, and, with everything being under one management, easier. Humanity has never encountered a brighter day, even though the clouds grace the sky with their presence,” I chuckled. “I have provided you with a new world full of hope and the defeat of poverty, tricks, and lies. You can trust me. I am your employer, I am your leader, and I am your savior.” As I said the last words, I felt a pleasurable numbness go through my body, and I felt strong and powerful. I looked at my love, and when she smiled back at me, I felt proud.

The next few months, the world was swimming in bliss. I had worked to assure every individual a job, and no one went hungry or shelter-less. However, my power and strength became an everyday feeling. I thirsted for more. I craved more. The solution was simple: raise prices, lower wages, and let the wealth flow into me and revive the feeling of power. No harm done. My love and I could use another mansion or two, you know, to get away from it all.

A year or so later, I had another craving. I was wealthy beyond belief, and I knew money would not be satisfactory this time. I wanted control. The world needed control anyways. With so many people life is so hectic. With a commander like myself, humanity could thrive and we could all live happily and efficiently! It was, again, simple.

I had created new laws, ones that restricted the people to their homes; that way there would be no traffic on the roads and people to get to work faster. They had certain recreational and restocking time, and it was completely fair and just of me. That is why I was surprised when the whiny voice of the humble man informed me of the riots and uprisings in North America and Africa. I, however, shut them down with my military.

Years went by and I realized I needed to fix the prejudices and discriminations against my people. I created more laws, all reasonable and great. Racist, sexist, and biased statements were outlawed and relationships were assigned amongst people by appointed officials, hand chosen by me. Friendships and spouses were in my control, and I had once again felt the power zing through me like electricity.

I sat down to eat breakfast with my love, for we had lost communication and intimacy the last few months. Something about “not listening” or “losing myself.” That is ridiculous, though. I always listened to her beautiful voice. I have always been this way. I hadn’t changed since I met her. She nibbled lightly on some toast but ate nothing more. As she rose from the table and excused herself, I truly looked at my love for the first time in a year. She was just a wisp of a woman, now, for there was no meat on her bones and her face looked like it had been pulled in with drawstrings. She looked tired.

“My love, what is wrong?” I took her hand and kissed it, and she rested it on my cheek.

“You will not listen,” she said.

“Well I am listening now,” I smiled up at her. Just then my humble man burst into the room.

“Mr. Drews! Mr. Drews! Africa! Europe! Asia! The Americas! Everywhere! They are all uprising! We need to draw back and return freedoms!” His voice whined. My love looked at me.

I remained calm. “Just send the troops to take care of it,” My love took her hand off my cheek and slipped back a few steps. “Love?”

“You never listen!” she screeched.

“The troops are uprising! Sir, Mr. Drews, it is time to release some of your power, let them breathe, and-“ I cut off the whiney voice, for I could bear it no longer.

“I WILL NOT RELEASE MY POWER. IF THEY WILL NOT OBEY, THEN LET THE WORLD BURN!” My love gasped at my words, and left the room. At that moment, I knew that would be the last time I would see her.

I spent the last of my days in my favorite room, in my favorite mansion, on my favorite island watching the news on my news station. I watched alone with no disturbances, the door locked. I watched the world burn under my control.