The Teacher and the Tycoon.

By Bernie V. Lopez – eastwind. Daily Tribune. ‘StarGazer’ column.

(Inspired by true characters.) It was graduation day at St. Peter’s High School. The graduation caps flew amid the roar of the frenzied new graduates. Two best of friends left the frenzy and retreated into a quiet corner, talking of their post-graduation dreams. One wanted to take over his dad’s corporation. The other just wanted to be a teacher.

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JOSHUA – So, what are your plans?

JACOB – I was just accepted at Harvard last night. I’m taking up a course for executives exclusively for the elite of the elite.

JOSHUA – Elite of the elite? And you were accepted? They must be out of their minds. (laughter) And you?

JACOB – Dad and mom are getting divorced. No graduate school. That’s my graduation gift from them, haha. So I plan to teach here in our alma mater. I was just accepted.

And so, Jacob became a teacher and Joshua became a tycoon. After five years, they had a reunion.

JOSHUA – I enjoy sitting in a board meeting. I have this feeling of power as the youngest member.

JACOB – Careful now, Josh. You may be in a snake pit without knowing it. Power corrupts and absolutely power corrupts absolutely.

JOSHUA – The hell. I can take on the deadliest boa constrictor in my dad’s firm.

JACOB – That’s your ego talking. Ego is your enemy. You feed your ego with imagined victories in the battlefield just because you are the son, the future inheritor, of the company.

JOSHUA – Sure, why not. They all respect me.

JACOB – Only because you are the inheritor. Be careful of wolves guised as sheep.

True enough, the snake came in the form of a charming woman, Brenda MacAlister. The eyes of many junior executives popped out whenever she passed by in her tight short skirt. They did not know, she was a hunter in disguise. True enough, she wrapped Joshua around her middle finger, the moment she felt his heart pumping. Why do women have such power over men?

In one sweep, a secret dinner date, and she was on top of him, I mean, not literary. It was the beginning of the end.

BRENDA – Dinner tonight?

JOSHUA – Shh. Quiet. Eight o’clock at the Rembrandt. I reserved a corner table.

And so, the trap was set. They had a secret torrid love affair. Joshua told his dad he needed her as his confidante-assistant. The old man agreed instantly. He liked her. As Brenda planned, she got  pregnant, to permanently seal the love affair. She was the instant heiress to the throne.

In time, Brenda was dictating to Joshua company policies for her vested interest. She climbed up the ladder so fast, even Joshua was surprised. They were married in the blink of an eye. Brenda had a sinister plan. She got a best friend to seduce Joshua. See cooked up a scandal to get him out of the way.

DAD – I’m afraid I’m booting you out of the board and the company. Your’re done, Joshua.

Joshua wallowed on Scotch and apples for dinner. In six months, he needed a shrink. He instead went to Jacob.

JACOB – Simple, Joshua. Step one, go cold turkey before we plan our moves. No more booze. Step two, we get rid of Brenda. I have a plan. Step three, be the prodigal son.

Jacob’s plan was ingenious. He used the same ploy as Brenda to get rid of Joshua. Scandal for scandal. Brenda had a secret love affair with Jacob’s friend. She was booted out as fast as she climbed the ladder. The prodigal son was back on the board. When his dad died from cancer of the prostrate, Joshua took over the company.

JOSHUA – I want you to help me. I will make you a member of the board with money I will secretly give you.

JACOB – No thanks. I hate money. I’m good as a simple teacher. Money is the source of evil.

JOSHUA – Nope. Money is the solution, not the problem. How about I make you head of the company foundation.

JACOB – That’s not a bad idea. But only if I can manage the funds without your help.

JOSHUA – Deal. What’s your plan.

JACOB – Scholarships for the poor.

JOSHUA – Done.

And so, the teacher and the tycoon lived happily ever after. Jacob noticed that there were some geniuses among the poor. So, he propped them up. One became a famous priest, another an oncologist who offered free services to the poor, care of the foundation.

Jacob was on top of the world. Joshua was at the bottom, who came to him often, seeking advice on how to deal with boa constrictors.

JACOB – Joashua, the things is to have a sharp blade and cut the boa’s tough skin before it can squeeze you dead.

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amdg = ad majorem dei gloriam = for God’s greater glory.