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THE BIG O:

ACT 28

SCAPEGOAT

Chapter Four: An Offer You Can't Refuse

It was Carl Heller who found his voice first. "Is that a threat?"

"Not at all," Roger shrugged. "I simply want to impress upon you the reasons why I would be hesitant to take on the job of negotiating with the unwashed masses. If I succeeded, my guess is that the group of you would feel obligated to dispose of me. Ending my life shouldn't be too hard if you really put some effort into it," Roger paused, a serious expression on his face. "So if I took the job, there would be two probable outcomes. If I failed, I would be killed by the mob. If I succeeded, I would be assassinated. Neither proposition appeals to me."

"If you had already made up your mind, why did you invite us here, Roger Smith?" Despite the hostile expression on his face, Gregory Stoker managed to make his voice sound bored.

"I just wanted to find out how badly you wanted my services," Roger grinned cheekily. "The fact that you came over here at my invitation rather than insist that I be summoned to your headquarters proves that you are both desperate for my services and powerless to force them from me. I suspect that for the first time in decades, the Paradigm Corporation no longer has absolute control over the city."

If looks could kill, Roger Smith would have died on the spot.

Roger put his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair. "Fortunately, I have a solution, a solution so obvious that I'm surprised that none of you could see it. Certainly none of you will admit to it. It isn't your first choice, but I think you'll agree that it's the only choice you've got."

"So what is it?" Carl Heller asked.

"Ah," Roger smiled and made a small halting gesture. "Time equals money. I may not be able to accept a negotiating job, but I would be willing to act as a consultant."

"Let me get this straight," Francis Erskine interjected. "You want us to reinstate an officer who abused his position and part with classified technology, and all you can give us is advice."

Roger shook his head. "Mr. Erskine, I'm afraid you are wrong on nearly all counts," he grinned smugly. "In the first place, it is you, and not me who wants Colonel Dastun reinstated. He really is your last hope. In the second place, quite a few androids have been built over the years, and in any case the late Timothy Wayneright's technology never belonged to you. In the third place, I offer not useless advice, but a solution that will save your neck and the Paradigm Corporation's existence."

Violet Web was the first one to attempt to bargain. "So we reinstate Dastun and release Doctor Wayneright's android research, and in return you tell us how to save the Paradigm Corporation…"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Roger apologized. "I'm not done. Colonel Dastun's reinstatement isn't part of my fee." He opened a drawer and took out a sheet of paper. "Dorothy, would you hand this to our guests please?"

The android girl rose from the piano bench and strode over to take the paper from the negotiator's hand and take it to Francis Erskine. She then walked back to the desk to stand at Roger's side.

"What the hell is this?" Erskine asked as he read the document.

"My consulting fee, and a bill for damages," Roger explained. "Three weeks ago a bunch of robots attacked my house. Repairs don't come cheap, and in addition, I want another piano for my assistant here," he nodded at Dorothy. "That piano is a replacement, and between you and me, it needs tuning."

"This is preposterous!" Erskine protested. "With this amount of money you could build your own megadeus!"

Or repair one, Roger thought to himself. Big O had gotten quite a workout battling Big Fau. Out loud, he said, "My assistant received injuries as well. That's why I want a set of her blueprints. I have reason to believe that the attacks on my house and my assistant came from your company. Heck, the attack on the city certainly did."

"What kind of negotiator are you?" Heller asked. "Are you going to negotiate for us, or what?"

"Maybe you don't understand, Mr. Heller," Roger spoke evenly. "I'm consulting for you, but I'm not negotiating for you."

"And just who are you negotiating for, Mr. Smith?" Stoker asked. "Whoever your client is, it certainly isn't us."

"I should think that was obvious," Roger smiled as disarmingly as he could. "I'm negotiating for myself."

"What?"

Roger's voice assumed an instructive tone. "Mr. Stoker, you said that deep in my heart I'm still 'one of them'. That means that I feel as betrayed and cheated as the rest of the citizens of Paradigm City. I may not be able to get restitution for the damages you caused the city, but I can be reimbursed for the injuries you've caused me."

"I see," the dark skinned man's face became even darker, "so that's the way it is, is it?"

"I'm afraid so," Roger shrugged. "Come up with the money and get me Miss Wayneright's blueprints. Then I'll tell you how to save the Paradigm Corporation. You can use the phone on the desk. If you decide to decline my offer, my only hope is that the next government takes better care of the city."

Glaring at Roger Smith, the silver haired Francis Erskine rose from the couch to pick up the phone and dial the Paradigm Corporation.

Less than an hour later a military armored vehicle pulled up in the street outside the white tower that Roger Smith called his home. Soon the elevator opened to reveal Norman and two men in military police uniforms who had briefcases handcuffed to their wrists.

"Master Roger, your fee has arrived," the butler smiled smugly.

"Excellent Norman," Roger nodded. "Dorothy, you and Norman check out the technical blueprints to make sure they are genuine. In the meantime, I'll conclude negotiations with my guests, here."

Dorothy paused before joining Norman in examining the contents of the briefcase bearing the late Timothy Wayneright's technical schematics of his android daughter. Whatever reservations she had, she was very good at hiding them.

"Okay, Smith," Erskine growled. "You have the down payment for your services. Unless you want to see those blueprints and that money walk right out that door you'll cut to the chase and tell us your 'miraculous plan' for saving the city."

"Mmm?" Roger looked up from the briefcase of money that was opened on his desk. He put the brick of hundred dollar bills he was examining back into the case and smiled disarmingly at the vice-president. "Why yes, you're right. If I don't deliver the goods, you'll even take back the check you're about to write to complete the remainder of my fee."

Erskine and the other board members seemed to age before Roger's eyes, but that didn't stop them from giving the most intimidating scowls that he could remember seeing.

Erskine wrote a check and placed it on his desk. Roger picked it up and made a big show of examining it.

"Cut to the chase, Smith!" Heller growled. "If you don't get to the point, I'm going to shove that check right down your throat!"

Roger noticed that unlike before, none of the other board members were willing to control Heller's outbursts. "Norman?"

"The blueprints seem genuine, sir," the elderly butler assured him. "I can't detect any flaw in them."

"Excellent Norman," Roger sighed as he shut and fastened the briefcase full of money. "Go ahead and put the cases somewhere safe. Then you can start dinner. Dorothy can tend to our guests' needs."

"Very good sir," Norman nodded as he secured the latches on his briefcase and sauntered over to the desk to collect Roger's. "Dinner should be ready in an hour or so," the butler announced as he headed to the door with a briefcase in each hand. "I trust negotiations should be finished by then."

"Negotiations are over," Roger replied while viewing the irate board members with a critical eye. "Consultations have only begun."

"Well?" Violet Web asked without blinking.

Roger rose to his feet and faced the window, his hands clutching the lapels of his jet-black blazer. "Gentlemen and lady, I have already outlined the situation as it stands. To the people on the street, the Paradigm Corporation launched an unprovoked attack on the city. Rich and poor alike have been injured, killed or left homeless. The Military Police were ordered to do nothing and the only officer with the courage to defy those orders and try to protect the city was relieved of his command and arrested. To the citizens of Paradigm City, your corporation has declared war on them."

He turned on his heel to face the board members, all levity gone from his face. No look of smug triumph crossed his youthful features; only the sincerity of a man who desires what is best for his audience.

"In order to convince the people otherwise, you have to assign blame," the negotiator said. "The problem is that there is no one to pin this on. Rosewater took credit for the deed himself. There is no way to convince the people that your chairman isn't responsible." He paused a moment for emphasis and then continued. "The solution is obvious. Hold him responsible. Strip him of his title of chairman and put him on trial, nice and legal."

"We can't possibly do that!" Violet Web exclaimed.

"Because you're all accomplices," Roger nodded. "I understand. But Paradigm has reordered the facts in the past. You can do it again."

"Do you realize what you are accusing us of?" Carl Heller sputtered.

"I'm accusing you of nothing," Roger countered. "Even though Alex Rosewater played his cards close to the chest I doubt his plans went completely undetected by all of you. You were to be part of his 'New Order' after all." The negotiator's voice took a commanding tone. "Well here's a wakeup call: The New Order is over. It's never coming back. Your only chance is to throw Rosewater to the wolves and cover your assets.

"I'm sorry lady and gentlemen," The black clad negotiator continued, but his voice did not sound at all apologetic, "The days of Paradigm enjoying the freedom to do what it likes without accountability is over. Rosewater screwed the pooch. Instead of increasing your power he nearly destroyed it. Your best bet if you want to avoid a rebellion is to make it look like he acted on his own and publicly condemn him for his actions."

"I take it that you have a way to miraculously make the populace believe us," Francis Erskine murmured dryly.

"As a matter of fact, I don't," Roger winked, "but you do."

"And?" the silvery vice chairman prodded.

"Why Colonel Dan Dastun of course," Roger sounded surprised at the question, as if the answer was obvious.

Dorothy had to wonder how many times he had to practice to make those words sound so innocent.

Roger put his hands behind his back and made his voice breezy as if he was discussing the weather. "The actions of Colonel Dastun and his men are the only evidence you have that the bunch of you aren't responsible. He and his men should be reinstated as quickly as possible and be commended on his actions. I should say that Colonel Dastun deserves a medal and perhaps a promotion for remaining loyal while the rest of the officers his pay grade supported the treasonous 'New Order'."

"And why did we arrest him?" the coffee colored Gregory Stoker asked with weary amusement.

"The arrest was a cover story," Roger explained. "In reality he was in protective custody while Paradigm investigated who was loyal to the status quo and who sold out to Rosewater's 'New Order'. Even Colonel Dastun had to believe the arrest was genuine. It was the only way to keep him safe."

"Colonel Dastun was your commanding officer when you served in the military police was he not?" Stoker's voice sounded bored, but his eyes narrowed in cunning understanding.

"He was my C.O. during my stint with the military police, yes," Roger acknowledged, refusing to take the bait, "Right up until I quit the force in disgust. My relationship with Colonel Dastun in this matter is purely professional." Roger mentally kicked himself, for he just revealed that he was negotiating for Dastun's career. On the outside, however, he was still the calm picture of confidence and sincerity.

"And this is the only way to avoid a revolution," Stoker didn't seem a hundred per cent convinced.

"The problem with revolutions is that they go in circles," Roger automatically went to one of his memorized platitudes, but successfully disguised it as wit. "If the current government was overthrown, I have no doubt that the next one would be totalitarian, and a lot of people would end up dead. The capitalist society that Gordon Rosewater created has all sorts of things wrong with it, but at least on paper the people are free. Social mobility is possible. People have a right to congregate and speak their minds. If the group of you faced the punishment you probably deserve, the next guys would commit even greater atrocities. It's time for all of us to cut our losses and let go before we lose it all."

"Let go?" Erskine asked skeptically.

"Undo the damage that Alex did," the negotiator explained. "Allow the civil government the freedom to run things. Most of the senators are dead, but new ones can be elected. Let them have the authority to rule and get back in the business of bribing them when things settle down. Give the people a chance to catch their breath and trust the guys in charge again."

Roger relished the next hard truth but the look of regret on his face appeared flawlessly genuine. "This will probably mean that more people than just Alex Rosewater will have take the rap to protect the rest of you. If the people see a few members of Paradigm get tried and convicted it will restore their faith that the current justice system works. If none of you pay for this crime they're going to follow the first charismatic leader that promises something better. I don't know who the next Gordon will be, but I don't trust the guy." Roger strode to the front of his desk and leaned casually against it and crossed his arms. "It's better to implicate Alex and anyone else you can spare. I recommend the marshal of the military police. He supported the 'New Order' and ordered the military police to do nothing. If you're lucky, you can make it look like a military conspiracy and spare as many Paradigm executives as you can."

"That would leave a gaping hole in the chain of command of the military police," Stoker murmured. "Colonel Dastun would be the highest ranking officer left."

"Would he?" Roger appeared genuinely surprised. "I guess Dastun would have to take charge of the military police, at least temporarily. Still, it's good public relations to have a hero like Dastun in such a prominent position, wouldn't you agree?"

"Oh absolutely," Stoker had the tact to disguise his sarcasm as amusement.

"And that's what we gave up all of that money and the blueprints for your robot housemaid for," Heller grunted in disgust. "Your brilliant plan to save the city is to put Rosewater on trial and place your buddy Dastun in charge of the military police."

Roger shrugged. "If it doesn't work I have no doubt that the money you gave me will be useless. Canned goods will be a more acceptable currency. If any of you have a better solution I wish you the best of luck. For the sake of the city I hope that things work out. In the meantime, I can smell my dinner cooking, I'll say goodbye. Dorothy, please see our guests to the door." As Erskine rose from the couch the negotiator shook his hand before turning and leaving the room.

"This way if you please," Dorothy's quiet voice instructed as she gestured to the stairway leaving to the hallway with the elevator.

On a desk filled with hourglasses a phone rings. Norman's hand picks up the receiver and a sinister voice says:

Next: Not Without a Fight