Down below in a basement, Heather and Hanajima were out cold, as Emily Maynard trapped them here. In our last Bizarre Tale, Emily was corrupt with the Autumn Maiden's power. And she has taken hostage our hostesses. Even worse, they were replaced by androids of themselves.
Hanajima's eyes opened, as she was fading…
"Emily… Her horror… She cannot… She cannot…" She suddenly heard voices inside, as she even viewed one character in particular who is evil to the core, and most hated – Jacques Schnee.
"I… I am losing… my… sight… Do not… replace me… with… with… … … …" Her eyes dimmed to a dark grey, and then silence.
Is this the end of Heather & Saki?
A film played, as a boy in white hair and a blue vest was on the screen.
"Good evening, I'm Whitley Schnee, the new manager of the Schnee Corporation. As you know, since my father, Jacques Schnee, has given me total control, following his leave of absence, I have decided to take our business, one step at a time. In the coming months, you will notice some changes to the company, as employment is now equal to all men, women, and Faunus. Know that we will not hire everybody who applied.
We are going to give you all the equality you can get, in our new plant in the Midwest Section of Vale. Here, the plant will be manned by 3,482 men and no women and no Faunus. But all that changes, as Schnee Corporation will expand across the country. We have employed a total of 283,000 personnel, all men. And we are going to hire all genders, via race and creed, as at Schnee Corporation, we take the forward steps planned."
"And now, family members of the company, we'd like to welcome our brand-new device, presented for all personnel to test, as it is needed for supervision." He showed a huge machine and said, "This is the Unit #X109B14 Moderated Assembly Machine which eliminates 61,000 jobs, 73 inefficient and bulky machines, 81,000 needless man hours per 11 working days, and $4 million for all expenditures each year for employee insurance policies, such as hospitalization, welfare, and profit participation. For those who are stockholders for the original Schnee Dust Company and the Schnee Corporation, the first X109B14 Unit will be placed here in our main plant near Midwestern Vale. Within six months, from now on, our company will be totally automated, and we need all the men and women to pitch in and help out our company's new All-Gender and All-Faunus policies. Schnee Corporation will now operate with machines such as this one. And without people manning and fixing machines, we would all be blinded to nowhere, without help to one another in our hour of need.
This ends our 1,967th Year End Report."
Meet Whitley Schnee, the heir to the Schnee Dust Company. When the company went bankrupt, Whitley decided to recreate a new company, consisting of all men and all humans, working for the Schnee Company. Recently, due to company policies, he is forced to work with women, as well, being he's the son of Willow Schnee and the brother of Winter and Weiss Schnee, both former heiresses to the company. One man, with in black hair and tan skin, was watching from his chair. His name is Lie Ren, one of the company's regular employees.
Lie Ren said, "Not bad. Aside from the machines taking over, at least it gives us less room to relax and work."
Whitley said, "Yes, of course. This will bring our stockholders to their feet."
"It does."
"You didn't like it?"
"I'm the manager of the plant, not a film critic."
"I'm not saying you are." Whitley chuckled, "I'm saying that you might have a point of view, and hopefully for the changes planning, moving forward."
"Well, I admit that you wanted women here, being able to work together in total harmony." Lie Ren said, "But I disapprove of this method." He walked off and asked, "Tell me, Whitley, do you really plan to achieve the status quo of gender and Faunus, within six months?"
"Exactly." Whitley said, "Since my father passed away, I'll be continuing where he left off, knowing that I will make SDC a thing again. Six months, well, four months will do better. Now, Lie, since we're talking changes, time clocks will no longer be required, as we will have new time clocks, automated with keycards, to punch in or out. I think I can make a remedy." he paused and asked, "Something wrong, Lie?"
"Yes, I know what the flaw to this is… A LOT OF MEN OUT OF WORK!"
"That is, Lie, what we call progress. I know you are into supervision for progress in assembly lines and cooking, but when it comes to progress… you're a foot-dragger."
He went to the machine and did a little fiddling. Lie Ren took his departure, as Hanajima was behind the machine.
(Hanajima): These are the players, with or without a scorecard. In one corner: The new upcoming employees hired by the boss of Schnee Corporation, and a machine. In the other corner: Mr. Whitley Schnee; man.
She appeared, as Whitley was tinkering. She said to the 4th wall, as Whitley left, "And the game is… well, a historic battle between flesh and steel, between the brain of a man and the product of man's brain. We don't make book on this one, and predict NO winner… but we can tell you for this particular contest, there is standing room only – in the "Tales of the Bizarre"."
She walked away, as Whitley smirked, "Well, baby, you and I are going to make magic." He chuckled, as Lie Ren leaves in disgust.
Tales of the Bizarre #74:
The Brain Center at Whitley's
Time passed, as a few women were working together with the men. Over time, 10% of the female populace has started to work together with the male populace, and so far, it was working.
Whitley said, "Sales are going up. This is exquisite. This machine has really helped us out. Not only have we exchanged obsolete machines with new advanced gadgets, but the employment rate goes down, but to steadily maintain the gender status quo."
Lie Ren said, "Yes, it has." He said, "And I don't suppose that it means layoffs, right?"
"We're starting anew, after all. Think of the employees that we can keep, thanks to progress. But you know what your trouble is, Lie? You're adjusting to the 20th Century."
Whitley sat down, as Lie Ren said, "I only learn from principles… especially from firing people! You'll regret the wholesale firings of men who worked for 20 to 30 years in your father's old employment."
"Oh, is that so? Why don't you be in charge of regrets? Have it said… Lie Ren – Plant Manager in Charge of Regrets."
Lie Ren said, "Tell me, Whitley, why are you so eager to correct your father's mistakes? Did it ever occur to you that you might be trading efficiency for pride?"
"What do you mean?"
"PRIDE! When a man feels, he creates something! Tell me, what can the ten percent of women do to create? Anything at all?"
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT PRIDE, REN? I'm not selling pride, I'm selling product!"
"Bullshit! You only want to recreate a new employment shift, just so you can get rid of the rabble of ole employees in charge! If only your father–."
"WHAT ABOUT MY FATHER?"
"He ran this company for 40 years, and then burned it to the ground, the minute he abused his power, and hurt your sisters and you! He was a corrupt businessman that wanted to earn himself a seat in politics!"
"Don't you think I know that, Lie Ren?"
"He wanted profit, but he didn't care! He just wanted the profit for himself! Do you know what he lacks?"
"What else did father lack exactly?"
"Goodwill!"
"GOODWILL?!"
"And the welfare that the people worked for him!"
Whitley was angry, "GOODWILL AND THE WELFARE THAT THE PEOPLE WORKED FOR HIM?! You're nuts! In the years, my father quadrupled the size of his company, while his competition doubled theirs! And when he was ousted, and I lost my heir title, I wanted to make things right! His competitors, Lie Ren, lacked the goodwill and the welfare that my father didn't have! They paid a fair wage and a fair break, but if they replaced a man with a woman, they did it! And when they do, it'll improve the reputation of the company, while the competition cares less about gender equality, and that, Mr. Ren, is why I wanted to make things right! BUT YOU! You always go off into a CRYING RAG, when you go over a pink slip that's attached to a time clock!"
He went to his desk and said, "What's the name of that plant foreman that worked here for ten years?" He scoured his papers and said, "There… a Mr. Hazel Rainart. He's replaced with a new foreman, Miss Penny Polendina. Lie, I want you to summon Mr. Rainart for me, and I'll show you this welfare and goodwill. I am going to give him and his staff four months' notice to ship up and fly right. Now, would you go get them for me?"
Lie Ren was appalled, but he was ordered to summon Hazel.
XXXXX
Whitley was with Hazel, a man in tan skin and a black suit, as he said, "Hazel Rainart, I know that you have no hard feelings, but I want you to get along with Miss Polendina, as she is our new female worker. And I hope the rest of your staff will understand that this wholesale discharge doesn't affect any of you or your men. It's merely progress. Out with the old, in with the new. And yes, we hope that you can get along with your new staff and coworkers. That'll be all."
He left, as Hazel snarled, "Yes… That will be all…"
He left the office, as Hazel turned to Penny, who bowed, "I do hope we can work together for the next 120 days, before Whitley decides to reconsider the sudden layoffs." She extended her hand, but Hazel walked away from her. Penny was sad, as she wasn't given respect.
"Don't worry, Miss Polendina. I'm sure he'll be nice to you." He said, "Of course, it won't last… That small act of disrespect will cost him plenty, uh, once the four months are over… You're excused, Miss Polendina."
Penny walked off, as Whitley chuckled.
XXXXX
At a bar, Hazel was looking at himself. One of the men, a man in gray hair and a red apron, asked him if something's wrong.
"I'll tell you what's wrong… These hands… They helped build Jacques Schnee, until the youth of the family decided to tell them that these manly hands are obsolete. Just flesh and bones and muscle and nerves… BUT THAT DON'T CUT MUSTARD ANYMORE! But I'll tell you one thing… There isn't a machine made that can beat a man… There isn't a woman that can beat a man… and that Penny bitch is neither of those! I'll prove it to you…"
He stepped out and said, "I'm going right back over there, right now, and prove it to you… I'm going to treat that little brat of Whitley's and show her that they cannot replace me… and if that slob with the ice hair shows up, I'm gonna crush him with my bare hands!" He ran off, intoxicated, as he was vowing revenge on Penny, the woman that replaced him.
Moments later, Penny was viewing the machines that were running the place, as Hazel appeared. He barked, "You… You little cunt!" He slapped her down, as Penny moaned, "OW!" She said, "Sir, what are you doing? I meant you no harm!"
"SHUT UP!" Hazel yelled, "You little wind-up doll, you make me sick! You and your stupid petty machines! You and Whitley deserve each other and deserve to be demolished!"
She barked, "Mr. Rainart, I forbid you from doing me bodily harm! What you are doing is illegal, and grounds for termination!" He shoved her down, as Penny beeped, "Error… System damage…"
Hazel snarled, "You… You're just a robot… You are a female robot! You would replace us with women and machines! Your kind makes me sick!"
Whitley called out, as he appeared from the railing, "RAINART! I just got the call from the watchman! You barged into the building, drunk, and without permission!"
"Yeah, I entered without permission, so what? I'm drunk, and I'm pissed! And I DID barge right in! I've worked here for 10 years! And I was foreman for 6 of those years! And I was treated with respect! But to be replaced by a motorized mannequin, I deserve my rebuttal! I demand my rights!"
"Well, your rights are revoked, Rainart! My law is final! Not only are you fired, you're drunk, disorderly, you assaulted an employee, trespassed on private property, and even attempted vandalism! And that is a punishable and arrestable offense!"
"TELL ME, Whitley Schnee… When you're dead and buried, who do you get to MOURN FOR YA?!"
Whitley calmly explained, "Do you want to know what, why, and how I replaced you with that robot? There's a difference between YOU and HER. That machine costs two bucks an hour for current. She's also human like us, and she doesn't mind the low cost. It gets no pain, no arthritis, no hardening of the arteries, and is healthy to the very end! If it were a male robot, things would be different! But they are all the same! TWO OF THOSE ROBOTS like Miss Polendina can replace 114 men! But she's the only one that is a robot! Faunuses work that way, too, Rainart! These guys have coffee breaks, sick leaves, and vacations with pay! But Penny is the only one without those benefits, because she doesn't need them! She works 24/7! And that, Mr. Rainart, is worth considerably more than you are!"
Security appeared, as Hazel barked, "They should've buried you, years ago… You, your father, and your entire family… Somebody should've held you down with a bullet to the head, and poured in some reminders that men need to eat! and sleep! and work! And that you cannot pack them in cosmolines like surplus tanks! OR PUT THEM OUT TO PASTURE LIKE OLD BULLS!
I'M A MAN, WHITLEY SCHNEE! A MAN! And that makes me better than that… two-bit wind-up doll! YOU HEAR ME? BETTER!"
He strangled Penny, as the guard cried, "What'll I do?!" Whitley shrieked, "STOP HIM! STOP HIM!"
Hazel threw Penny down, and grabbed an ax to chop at the machine. Whitley helped Penny up, but she woke up and held up a gun. Hazel chopped at the giant machine, and sparks started to shoot out. Penny yelled, "NOOOOOOO!"
The guard cried, "NO, STOP! DON'T SHOOT!"
Whitley cried, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
BANG!
Penny shot at Hazel, right in the shoulder. Hazel dropped to the ground, as he was bleeding heavily. He groaned, as he stared down at Penny, who held the fired gun. "You see… It took… both of you… woman… and machine… to beat… me… It… took… man…" He collapsed and passed out.
Penny dropped her gun and sobbed, "No…" Whitley said, "Get a paramedic… It's alright. It's over."
Hazel was taken away after that to a local clinic, while Whitley asked to repair the machines that he tried to destroy.
The next day, Penny entered Whitley's office, as he said, fixing a computer, "Ah, Miss Polendina, I was expecting you."
She bowed her head and said, "Sir… I resign. What I did was wrong, and I shouldn't have let Mr. Rainart assaulted me. I would've called security on you… but I reacted wrongly."
"No, it's alright. You were shaken, and Mr. Rainart did assault you…"
"I am willing to drop the charges, because I am not coldblooded, though, my temperature is about 45 degrees fahrenheit within my core."
"Okay, okay, spare me the robot jargon."
"Sir…" She went to him.
Penny gave Whitley her resignation, but Whitley said, "No, keep it. You did right, but you were a victim here, so I'll tell you what… I'm going to give you time off, on a furlough, until we have a job opening for you."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Whitley…" Penny sobbed. Whitley took her keycard and said, "You may go. I will call you, when the time comes."
Penny left, but was stopped by the door. Whitley said, "Ohhh, right. Here. Just leave the card at the front desk, on your way out."
Penny waved the keycard to the device, and the door opened. Lie Ren walked past her, as Penny departed. She said to him, "Mr. Whitley, I hope you forgive me for the actions caused by Mr. Rainart. Even if you would, I hope you have a heart."
She left, as Lie Ren said, "Lemme guess, another firing?"
"Furloughed. Luckily, she was alright. No damages, and I feared that she may sue me. But she didn't."
"Well, lucky for you, Rainart's gonna live. I just came back from the hospital. But I'm surprised that Miss Polendina insisted on dropping the charges."
"She is compassionate. It did help employment value. All he did was vandalism and assault, and she did it in self-defense. Brave of her. But I was looking out for the machines and herself. She did right. Being a robot, Penny would think of a way to forgive and forget. I say that's fine, in my book."
"Yes, I guess so. So, what now?"
"Well, we move on, as we should." He showed him some documents and said, "Oh, this should interest you. New talent. I got off the phone from Ozpin Industries and a Miss Raven Branwen that we got a couple new female talent. Mostly Faunus, and perfect for the job. Look…
Velvet Scarlatina. A rabbit that can work fast and easy, and can even type fast, and even show the workers around her how a half-woman half-rabbit can continue to work in the heels of progress, and good hearing. So unique, with her rabbit ears. And this one… Sun Wukong, named after the Chinese God. Perfectly agile and strong, can lift the heavy stuff. And OHHH, Blake Belladonna. She has keen eyesight in the dark. And let's forget Tock, as in the alligator from Peter Pan. Weird and ugly, but she has very strong reflexes. And even Adam Taurus, a swell guy, says he knows Miss Belladonna." He read the list, "Tyrian Callows, Neon Katt, Yuma, Fiona Thyme, Corsac Albain, Ilia Amitola, the list goes on. We got a menagerie working for Schnee Corporation; but only as ONE unit, all are equal."
Lie Ren stated, "Well, on the plus side, you're not hiring anymore robots."
"True. Miss Polendina was a mistake. But we hope to bring her back to a job where she's fitted… uh, if I find a suitable job for her." He stated, "Get this… I have a new employee here. Miss Valkyrie, you may enter."
Nora appeared, wearing eyeglasses and a white shirt. She sat down, as he said, "Take a memo. To all men, women, and Faunus, now's the time for all work and play." She showed the note, written perfectly, as Whitley said, "See? Not a mistake. A little misaligned lettering there, but we'll work it out. Thank you, Miss Valkyrie, you may return to your post."
Nora giggled, "Yes, sir!" She pranced away, as Lie asked, "And, who is her replacement? By that, I mean, which man will have Miss Nora Valkyrie take the place of?"
"Oh, that's the beautiful part of it all… She's your replacement." Whitley said, "Yes, I decided, after our talk of goodwill and welfare for the people that work for me, I decided I don't need you anymore. Miss Valkyrie is taking your job, effective immediately."
Lie Ren said, "Well, I was expecting that. In fact, the reason I came here was for my resignation." He gave him his resignation, as Whitley said, "Well, very thoughtful, and thank you. I was to give you two weeks' notice, but I figured as much. You deserve a very steady future, instead of here. I just wanted to let you know, I wanted a compatible team, with the new hires we're getting, and the new tech we're getting, thanks to the local talents. Now despite the fact that you think of me as a heartless ogre, I'm not going to forget your hard work for the past 15 years, working for me and my father.
And don't worry. Seeing that you have been a trusted employee over the past 15 years, I wanted to give you your severance pay and your retirement benefits, with a far better than average pension. Just know that because of the status quo with our women now running most of our departments, you will be missed by our staff."
Lie Ren smiled, "Thanks. I appreciate the offer and the sentiment, and I am happy that you think of the people first, other than yourself. I will happily accept your gift, but after I give you another thing."
"What's that?"
SOCK!
Lie Ren socked him in the face, as Lie Ren yelled, "THAT, Mr. Schnee, is from me to you! That is what I think of your status quo and generosity! What you are doing is not only just but wrong! You hire new people that are female and/or Faunus! And in the process, you let go many people, including me, just to fill your status quo, something your damned father did not do! Now I can accept your severance pay and tell you to go stick it into your machines, along with your pensions and your farewell speech bullshit! Because when I leave, I walk out on you with pride, and with my hands clean! AND THAT, Whitley Schnee, is one hell of a trick!"
He walked out, but the door was sealed shut. Whitley said, "Oh, uh, scan your ID keycard and leave it at the front desk. Miss Adel created this as a way to avoid any break-ins and such, since last night. It's an electric eye that scans employee keycards for access."
Lie Ren used his keycard and left through the door. Whitley smirked, as he was glad that Lie Ren walked out of Schnee Corp.
Time passed, as Whitley had the company in control. Of course, he replaced 75% of the male populace of his company to now 60% of it. It was now 60 to 40 in men's status. And in Faunus, a 27 to 72 rating, as the humans run the place more than the Faunus. And only one person is a robot, and female.
The employees not only question the work ethic, with the women taking over, they praise the work that made it possible. Even ideas for products, and they lead to some mixed signals.
(Ruby): So, I was thinking… 1,000-proof chocolate chip cookies, sold by the baker's dozen!
(Yang): No, 13 cookies a pack, not worth it.
(Sun): What if we sell it like always, bunch of cookies in one box, and say that the chips explode from the cookies.
Ruby squeals in delight.
(Yang): NAILED IT! A power-packed chocolate rush, in every box!
An idea on how cookie quantity goes.
(Cinder): Given the supply and demand of petcare for puppies and kittens, we should introduce a new All-in-One dog food or cat food for the most deserving pets.
(Weiss): Nnnnn–, no. But then what if the dogs eat cat food?
(Oscar): I propose we sell by packs for dogs, and by packs for cats.
(Cardin): That's stupid! You're stupid!
(Cinder): Hmm… Perhaps we need to study on what flavor for dogs, first. Who here agrees on beef, pork, or plant-based?
Pet food is discussed, as supply for chow is decided.
(Mercury): What about skateboards? What say we add steel wheels to avoid scratches.
(Pyrrha): No… too jagged. I propose…
(Jaune): OH! Plastic wheels! Safer and kid-friendly! Eh?
(Emerald): Eh, no… Maybe some sort of hard plastic substance, unbreakable!
(Jaune): Like unbreakable combs?
(Pyrrha): Hmm… Maybe…
The others agreed, as skateboards are improved. Meanwhile, Velvet confirmed her idea.
(Velvet): So I was thinking we'd create a perfect blade to cut like easy.
(Roman): Hmm, I like the initiative, but I think we need more of a cut above the gist. Something that slice LIKE AN AXE!
He dropped an axe onto the table. They were stunned, as Blake raised her hand.
(Blake): How about stainless steel… sharp enough to cut bone off of a beef carcass.
(Neo, via sign): "Sharp cheddar?"
The group agreed, as they had no idea on how to create the perfect knife. Yes, the company has stopped at 60-40, as Whitley's business was booming. Teamwork and progress was the key.
XXXXX
And progress grew. What started as a slob-filled cafeteria, full of men, gnashing and chewing on their food, like slobs and pigs, Whitley changed all that.
Velvet was walking down the aisle, looking for a table. Sun was in line, as he called, "I'm bored! When's my next spot in line?"
Nora cried out, "Someone get me a cup of coffee!"
Velvet found a place to sit, as she sighed, "Pure bliss."
Even the parking lot. It was filled with so many cars, all gridlocked and piled. Blake was completely disturbed, as she was meditating. "I can't get a moment's peace!"
And now, the parking lot is empty, filled with only some of their vehicles, including Yang's motorcycle.
She drove in, as she asked, "Man, where's a place to park my motorcycle!"
Cinder stepped out of her car and said, "This is nefarious, even for me."
"Yo, do you know where I can park Bumblebee?"
"There's a bike rack over there, by the entrance."
Yang rolled in and asked, "Eh? I didn't know we had that."
Cinder remarked, "Must've been the massive pile of cars, blocking our view. It looks very roomy now."
Blake dashed off, entering the building. Jaune parked his bicycle, as Weiss appeared parking her tricycle. "Whoa, Stardust!"
Yang smiled, "Hey, Weiss." She parked Bumblebee and chained it.
Jaune cackled, "Come on, you're just jealous of my two wheels."
Mercury walked by and said, "Nice bike, loser!" He high-fived, but Cinder huffed, "Do you know who you're talking to?" He pouted, and put his arm down, "Never mind…"
They stepped inside, as the parking lot was roomy and quiet.
Even work ethics. They were pouring our ideas and created it into a messy idea that was rejected. But thanks to Whitley, teamwork improved, and even being a man, woman, machine, or Faunus, work ethic has improved… and planned projects go one way.
Roman barked, "When I said Go Vanilla, I meant make it plain, NOT VANILLA-FLAVORED! If you want to Go Vanilla, don't go literally, Red!"
Ruby sobbed, "I can't help it! Society and video games made me do it! You should've said so, Torchwick!" She huffed, "I bet you can make a better plan."
Roman huffed, "At least my work is perfect… unlike your terrible idea… of cookie and cake flavors!"
Ruby said, "Except… … … we're making toothpaste."
He tipped his hat and said, "I know that… So, we go Hot Cinnamon… or Lemon Salsa?"
Ruby said, "What's wrong with chocolate toothpaste?"
Neo held up a sign that said "Mint?" Roman and Ruby nodded in awe, "Ooh, good idea…"
But even the simplest suggestions for products can be rejected, if too simple. Schnee Corporation has improved, thanks to teamwork and work ethic, for all humans and Faunus, no matter what gender.
Until one day…
Whitley was talking with Neptune, as he said, "I need you to check this again. Something is wrong with the main machine."
Neptune said, "I tried, sir, but that's what you've been asking me, every two hours. Couldn't you ask another one?"
"I'm trying, but all the staff are busy with other rounds."
"Okay, fine…" Neptune grumbled, as Whitley relaxed. "You heard of preventative maintenance, and you only did this, because someone in the PR Department says that you winced from water!"
"I am sorry… I don't like being wet… It is my job, as a maintenance man."
"Then I'll save you the trouble. You can have another job here… uh, once you're done."
"But I really can't have anyone run a maintenance check, 10 times a day. I mean, can't you have a team of technicians run the machines?"
"I don't know… There's something wrong with the machines. That damned Rainart may have jabbed a few in the mainframe."
"Well, I mean, you did make progress, even listening to the Faunus group, but it's a tireless effort. An idiotic and tireless effort!"
"Young man, your presence here is the necessity of the moment! Emphasis on "of the moment"! Now remember that! If I hire Faunus as technicians, they may break the stuff! Intelligence is the key! Here, I'll show you."
He approached an automated typewriter and said to the microphone, "Alas, I knew you well, Pyrrha. Do you believe in destiny?" His words were printed out neatly, as Whitley showed Neptune the letter, "There, you see. No mistakes, and all perfectly written."
"I guess this means secretaries are obsolete now."
"No, it's not. I'm saying those with sore fingers, or those who cannot even type, need a break. And you know what that means for most people? It means steady five minute breaks for rest, NO spontaneous coffee breaks, NO bathroom breaks, unless needed. And I am merely evening out the status quo between man, woman, and beast!"
Neptune remarked, "Mr. Whitley, I admit that you have a status quo to maintain… and yes, we have sold wonderful products, but made by both genders and species. However, the men reject the idea of what women want, while women reject what men don't want. That also applies to Faunus… yet the humans don't agree."
"Don't agree?! Faunus work without coffee breaks, being that they are half-animal! And that includes work stoppages, including various and sundry inconveniences like maternity, in that sort of way!"
"Inconveniences like maternity? I appreciate that we have wonderful employment, but you'll forgive me, but the more they disagree, the more we won't make a profit."
"And that is none of my concern. I'm more concerned about efficiency… That's happily my only concern!"
He went to his desk, as Neptune said, "Sir, have you looked around this place?"
"Looked around?"
"The cafeteria. It used to be a pigsty, full of rowdy men eating endlessly, but now with cleanliness, the place is mostly for chattering and usual solace. Now add a vending machine or two and a few loudspeakers playing music, a men's and women's room, and many places to converse. It's like a school auditorium. The parking lot, you know what happened? It's a desert. About 83% of your employees have NO driver's license. They commute by foot, bus, train, or in this case, flight, if the Faunus has wings."
"Well, that's true, but very enlightening."
"It has efficiency and status quo. It has everything it needs, but do you know what it's missing? Voices! Laughter! And the laughter comes and goes, which makes people what they are as people! But do you know what will happen if the laughter stops?"
"No, tell me."
"It'll result in a war against each other. Not men against women or women against men, it applies to EVERYONE! This is all about Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Choice, Freedom of every kind! If men start warring with the women, and the other way, or if the humans reject the Faunus and they strike back, morale and efficiency will plummet, and what then? All you do is monitor the place, but not listen to the people! It needs leadership, that's what it lacks!" Neptune explained, "It's a very dull place to work with…"
Whitley boomed, "Then I'll save you any further suffering, Neptune! You're fired!"
Neptune huffed, "Good… As a matter of fact, I wanted to lose my job. Because I didn't want to work here anymore, surrounded by girls, animals, and fellow boys, walking in circles. No, it's not because it's lonely… I refuse to stay here. It's just not the same." he stopped at the door, and then said to Whitley, grabbing his keycard, "And another thing, hiring a man or woman to run constant equipment checks, every two hours? Well, I say that it would be a good idea if you ran an equipment check on yourself!" he swiped his keycard and the door opened, and then left with a scoff.
"Of all the rot… Equipment check on myself?! How ridiculous!" Whitley had to fix the machines himself. No one wanted to help him, as he had already fired the last five technicians. He was tiring out, as he said, "Of all the… That guy said to me… Equipment check on myself?"
He then set up the machine, and decided to call on an employee… but then…
"That's stupid! YOU'RE stupid!" Cardin's voice was made, as Whitley gasped, "What was that?" he looked around and said, "Hello?"
"Someone get me a cup of coffee!" Nora's voice was made, as Whitley saw the computer lit up. He approached it and gasped, "Is this–?"
"Did it ever occur to you that you might be trading efficiency for pride?" Lie Ren's voice played.
Whitley switched off, and suddenly…
"WHEN YOU'RE DEAD AND BURIED, WHO DO YOU GET TO MOURN FOR YA?" Hazel's voice was played on another computer.
Whitley fiddled, as Penny's voice played, "Even if you would, I hope you have a heart."
Then Neptune's voice played, "I say that it would be a good idea if you ran an equipment check on yourself!" Whitley switched off the machine, and the voices resumed. Even adding more voices, in various machines.
(Cinder): "This is too nefarious, even for me!"
(Ruby): "Society and video games made me do it!"
(Lie Ren): "Did it ever occur to you that you might be trading efficiency for pride?"
(Blake): "I can't get a moment's peace!"
(Cardin): "That's stupid! YOU'RE stupid!"
(Nora): "Someone get me a cup of coffee!"
(Penny): "Even if you would, I hope you have a heart."
(Hazel): "WHEN YOU'RE DEAD AND BURIED, WHO DO YOU GET TO MOURN FOR YA?"
(Yang): "Man, where's a place to park my motorcycle?!"
(Sun): "I'm bored. Where's my spot in line?"
(Neptune): "I say that it would be a good idea if you ran an equipment check on yourself!"
(Roman): "When I said "Go Vanilla", I meant make it plain, NOT VANILLA-FLAVORED!"
Whitley was annoyed, as he marched off, but the door shut tight on him. The voices of his employees and ex-employees continued to ramble on, faster and higher, with the sounds of beeps, buzzers, and whistles made, flashing lights. Whitley was trapped. All he did was the right thing, and now it's coming to haunt him back.
"STOP IT! STOP IT!" he fiddled with the machines, but to no avail. The voices and complaints couldn't stop. Whitley was going nuts, as he was about to lose himself from the loud voices and remarks.
The sounds stopped, as the phone rang. He answered it, and said, "Hello? Y-Yes?" It was the executive committee, "Yes, status quo is up. The male to female workers count is near 58%, and the Faunus rate is now up 30 percent… Yes? Ah, yes, and thank you, ma'am, for–. What? What are you saying? No… … … Since when?" Whitley was in shock, as he heard the news from the committee. He said, "Y-Yes, I understand. And I wanted to apologize in advance for what my family has done in the past. Thank you."
He hung up the phone and sighed. He walked out of his office and headed to the bar.
At the bar, he ran into Lie Ren. Lie said, "Hey… Look who came."
Whitley said, "Hey… How's retirement?"
"Oh, not so good. But at least I'm enjoying this bliss… It's tolerable, but I can live with it. I manage to keep busy, but I'm alright. You know, it's kinda nice to sleep late in the mornings."
Whitley smiled, "It's good to rest well. Men should have time for leisure, when they grow older."
"I guess so."
He sat next to him, as he toasted to Lie Ren, "To other times, Lie Ren, and to other toasts." Lie Ren smiled, "I'll drink to that, Whitley."
Whitley said, "Well, I'm sorry for the way I acted, but… Just wanted to let you know that… Well, I am doing a good job running the place… and… you were right." He explained, "The board of directors first indicated to me that I was somewhat overtired, they had to relinquish me of most of my duties… but they were right. But with the perspective of time, they decided to move me out of there. And I'm not married or anything, I'm still young… and when my father died, his heir would take over, only for what happened…" His voice started to break, "And what they know about Jacques Schnee… It's… It's not right, Lie Ren! It's just not right!"
Lie was shocked, as Whitley sobbed, "The board found out of Father's past crimes, rigging an election, and in the end result, they decided that heirship would be annulled, should… should things go out of line… But… But it's not right! It's not right, Ren! It's cold, dispassionate, and too impersonal! They just chuck out a well-deserved and honorable person, in his prime, and replace him with someone more efficient, I mean… They toss him like some old discarded machine part! They said that my role as heir was tainted, and my mother exposed my father, and they said that I was a puppet to him! They said I was neurotic about things. Said I was too warped over equality, in paranoia over a possible gender/Faunus war, and that's what they said on that part! Warped! It's not fair! IT'S NOT FAIR! A MAN HAS VALUE! A MAN HAS WORTH!"
Lie Ren asked, "Lemme guess, they replaced you?"
Whitley sobbed, as he nodded, "Yes… they found dirt on my father, calling him a disgrace, and stripped me of my privileges as his heir, and now… Now they say I don't deserve it, even if I appeal! It isn't fair! I… I only wanted to know… what my father did wrong! I wanted to know why… WHY? …why he'd disgrace my family, and make me the fall guy! It's… It's not even fair anymore… I was only trying to help… And they said that I'm undeserving…"
He walked to the window, viewing his workplace and concluded, "They just remove a person in power, to maintain a clean reputation… They just snap their fingers, and bring in a replacement… The hard-working kind over the undeserving… And they chose someone I once considered undeserving, and they said, "Pack your things, Daddy's Heir, you're through!" It's just not fair, Lie Ren! I was only making things right for everyone… But the way they do it… It isn't fair, Ren! It isn't fair how they diminish us!"
Whitley was in despair as, thanks to an undiscovered scandal about Jacques Schnee, he lost his role as owner of the Schnee Corp.
XXXXX
A woman in white hair and a blue dress was taking a memo from Nora, "Take a letter. Dear, sir, yours of the 14th received and acknowledged. Now's the time for all good people to fight for their country. Etcetera. Etcetera. Etcetera. Etcetera." Nora wrote it, as she said, "Finished!
Weiss said, "A perfect letter. You've improved."
Nora smiled, "Thanks, madame chairman."
Nora left, as Weiss smirked, relaxing in her new chair – Owner of the Schnee Corporation.
Weiss confirmed, as she looked at the charts. 50-50 even for male and female employment, while Faunus employment went up to 35%. Weiss replaced her brother, and made his status quo even better in her favor.
(Hanajima): There are many bromides applicable here: "Too much of a good thing", "Tiger by the Tail", "As you sow, so shall you reap".
The point is that, too often, man becomes clever, instead of becoming wise; he becomes inventive, not thoughtful; and sometimes, in the case of Whitley Schnee, he can create himself right out of existence.
As in tonight's tale of oddness and obsolescence… in the "Tales of the Bizarre".
Moments passed, as Heather was the first to get up.
"Goddamn… What hit me?" She moaned, rubbing her eyes. She gasped, "Ha–? HANAJIMA!"
She tried to revive her, but felt something wet. It was blood. Hanajima was assaulted, earlier, and she was out cold. Heather sobbed, "What the hell happened? Hanaijma? Hey, you're not playing games, are you? No? Hana?" She sniffled, "What the hell is going on here?"
Hanajima's eyes went black, as she was breathing lightly. She whispered, "Heather… Emily… … … she's… Replaced us… re… place… The Ma… Maiden… Autumn Ma… iden… … …" She passed out, as Heather whimpered, "Emily…"
She stood up, picking up the book, and said, "Emily Maynard… How dare you? I never thought I'd say this, but… the Cheat IS GROUNDED! I mean… Emily Maynard… is EXTINGUISHED! Or… whatever it means… But I do know this…" She viewed the book, "She can't escape fate. This is our world! Not hers. Replace me with androids?! No, not on Heather Dunn's watch, you w–!" She paused and read the story we saw, "Huh… How'd she write that, while unconscious? No matter…"
She helped Hanajima up and said, "Come on, Creepy. We got a show to cancel. At this point, Emily Maynard has gone too far!"
Heather and Hanajima escaped the basement, as Emily's show was about to begin.
Four RWBY Stories down, one to go…
Who will be the next victims, saved best for last, in our Bizarre Tales from within the RWBY-verse?
And will Heather and Hanajima stop Emily's Robot Theatre, before it gets out of hand?
Stay tuned…