The American Express

Photo: San Clemente Nikon D-200 F-5.6, 1/640

The American Express

I need more coal, more fuel, can’t you see I’m trying to accomplish something here?

The train screamed down the tracks at a dangerous speed and the race was on. The new conductor cried out to the new engineer- things will be done differently from now on, trust me. I need more coal he said, I have my reasons just get it.

The engine room was a buzz with excitement, never had they seen a more confident and determined conductor. His charismatic speeches soothed their fears and enchanted their dreams. He spoke to his crew, “tell me the condition of MY train” he demanded

The secretary of engineers reported to him. We have 10 first class cars and behind them are 20 coaches, and last are 40 cars carrying standard passengers. Fine he says, “.I know what’s best for all of you and I have a plan to fundamentally change the way this train will be traveling, and where it is going. “ They all begin to look to him with renewed excitement. First thing we must do is tell them, all the passengers, what they want to hear. Everything will be in the open; I will make no changes without everyone first having a chance to review my decision. We will have members from all the cars joining in on the decisions- go tell them that.

Now close those curtains and listen to me. I want you to go to all the standard passengers and tell them that they shall have all that the first class passengers have been enjoying. How unfair has that been anyway? Begin moving the first class passenger back to the standard cars and start moving the lower class passenger up to first class. I know how it should be, just listen to me and do it!

The train kept moving faster and faster, more coal, the conductor cried, we need more. But we are running out of coal, borrow it from another train, and I don’t care how mush it cost, just get it. And tear apart some of our cars and burn them, just get me what I want. Which cars, sir? The ones for our children and grandchildren, I don’t really care just get me more fuel. Can’t you see I’m trying to do something here?

Members of the executive’s car became bloated from feasting and partying. They became bold and demanded new changes, changes that they know their conductor would like. The atmosphere in the executive’s car was intoxicating with success and power. They all began to boast with new found arrogance of their knowledge and power. They know what was best for every passenger, they know more than even the passengers themselves, whom they perceived as simple fools that need to be led...

The brakeman came running into the executive’s office yelling “our brakes can no longer handle this speed, we must slow down immediately he cried” You’re fired, yelled the Conductor. I shall replace you with a brakeman that is not against my goals, one that will report as I tell him. And I will appoint someone for every car that reports only to me.

An important vote was needed to begin implementing the conductor’s new plan. He scoffed at the thought of needing approval, but for now it is as it must be.

Get their price he yelled, I don’t care what it cost, just tell them yes, they will have whatever they want, money is no object. Mr. Conductor, we have one request that is not about money. One car that has had their water cut off is asking for water, they are unemployed and thirsty. The water was needed for the wiggly pollywogs. Just promise them a small amount, I may need that car again for something else, 25% of their original amount should do.

Grumbling began to occur, mostly from the first class and the coach cars. Housewives, farmer, and elderly people, people of all sorts were looking out the windows and crying out; “we are going way too fast”, “we have never gone this way before, there is a dangerous curve up ahead” Many were telling of other trains that have tried this way before, and not one has survived.

Close the curtains to our executive car, and shut them up, I don’t care how, call them names; radicals, terrorist, I don’t care, investigate them if you must, just shut them up. . Can’t they see we are trying to get something done here?

The executives had there music playing with the volume turned all the way up as they danced and drank to their hearts content. The common passengers were ecstatic as they scrambled to all fit into the first class cars. And the rest of the passengers just stared out the windows, some screaming, and some crying.

The train was now heading at speeds that were mush faster than it had ever gone, and the brakes could no longer stop it. The curve up ahead was sharp and the train could not survive. But this is the American Express, it can survive anything, right?