Town square - part I

The text overlaps the boxes and dialogues placed in the pictures - no need to read both.

The historic old village suffered the problems so many other small towns were facing: local industries going bankrupt and young people fleeing to big cities. One day rich businessman arrived and began pouring money back into the local economy. He practically brought the entire town, public services, and all. Some people saw him as a savior and began to call him „the Owner.” As his influence grew, the townspeople gradually became dependent on him and began to submit to his every whim. As the economy revived, new people arrived to take the good-paying jobs. The Owner had become something of a tyrant and the new workers at first didn’t realize the extent of his power. One such newcomer was Shane, a fanatical believer in the Free Market. He thought, he ended up in a capitalist paradise but soon he noticed drawbacks.

Shane complained about his job. He didn't know why his colleagues work so hard. Jake, the site boss, knew this guy was trouble and was almost certainly going to pay a big price! Almost immediately, Shane started to incite the other workers. At first, they didn’t listen, but as their discontent grew, productivity declined.  Jake knew the Owner was coming back to town.  Frantically, he did his best, but the Owner arrived before Jake could get the guys working again. When the Owner summoned him, he knew there was going to be trouble.

"Tell me, my friend, how is the construction going? How are the new employees doing?", asked the Owner.

"Very good, we are making progress."

"Really? So, they are working hard and being obedient? Tell me the truth. Have you punished any of them, my friend?"

"No, everything is fine", lied Jake.

"Then why are you shaking, my friend? I’ve been in business a long time and I can tell when someone is lying….Hmm…We will decide on your punishment for being deceptive later.  But now I want the truth!"

"Please, forgive me, Sir. I’m really really sorry. There is a new guy…"

Jake came clean about the newbie, but surprisingly the Owner didn’t get angry. In fact, he looked pleased… and intrigued. He phoned the Municipal Police (who were in his pocket) and the construction site. He ordered to bring Shane in front of him:

"… Yes, I want him immediately… What does it mean ’he may resit?’ I don’t care. Bring him here NOW! Yes… Whatever it takes!"

The news spread quickly on the construction site. Colleagues have been fairly distanced and full of doubt, but Shane seemed to be thrilled to bits. Finally, he has a chance to confront the Owner. Friends were clear. They had no intention to help.

Shane burst into the Owner’s office with the only two co-workers who had guts enough to come with him.  He halted in surprise. Jake was kneeling naked and trembling in front of what he could only assume was the Owner. The man in the armchair spoke:

"Good afternoon! You must be one of my new employees. Please. Join us. We are having a little discussion about responsibility.  But, before we begin I thought I’d show you how a good employee behaves. We had trouble with Jake too, at first. But as you can see, he has found his proper place."

Shane started out confidently, but when he glanced back, he was shocked to see the two strong, masculine men cowering behind him, suddenly every bit as submissive as Jake. Undeterred, Shane began to speak:

"We are here to protest. We are all doing the work of two men and we are forced to work half-naked in the sun like slaves without proper tools.  We want a union!"

"A union? You will work naked if I order it!"

"Who do you think, you are? I’m not affraid of you!"

"You should be, my friend. You should be."

"Why? Because you are rich!? We are not your slaves."

"Well, technically you are. And what we do here is to punish stubborn slaves to teach them how to behave."

"Fuck you!"

That was enough. The Owner wasn't used to talk to him like Shane did. Two City Guards stepped menacingly out of the shadows.

"Take him to the square!" 

Everyone except Shane knew what this meant.

The town square was almost empty. Shane had been here once or twice before but had never paid it any attention. This time he saw them: cross, stocks, iron restraints, and whipping post.

Even looking at the whipping post ahead of him, the young worker couldn’t believe that he is in danger of anything other than being fired. Jake tried to warn him, but his stubborn friend didn't listen.

"I ain't scared!"

"Tough talk, but guys who stand up to the Owner get punished hard and it looks like you’re next."

Finally, after city guards tied him up, he believed they are going to beat him for real. However, it didn’t change his attitude. He stared at his colleagues with scornful contempt. The Owner was delaying the whipping, enjoying the view of his victim, appreciating the strong, masculine form before him. Shane was too cocky to show any respect to the whip.

"You can buy whole village, but I won't kneel behind your fucking desires!", he shouted.

"Fine. My friends... Let the show begin", ordered the Owner.

The city guard took the bullwhip. There was complete silence in the town square...

<Story continuation>