Page 94 of A Dead Man's B-Side
I would prefer he wouldn’t have my room searched or revoke The Gallery dinners because of me. I wouldn’t be able to restock that way. “Sasha.” he sounded out the nickname and smiled lightly, still standing in the entrance. “I don’t care.”
And that was that.
We all slid back onto the couches with blank faces, reeling on the inside. But Thaddeus didn’t elaborate, only handing Rain what I’d now noticed was a large envelope under his arm.
Watching the manila envelope fall heavy into Rain’s hands was like listening to the echo of a clock striking twelve on a stormy night, a foreboding feeling feathering through my bones, washing away any humour or joy of free rein left in my body.
The reminder of what I’d gotten myself into came back to me.
We sat waiting as August’s muffled counting filled the silence until he’d reached sixty. When he returned and took his seat next to Wolf—I was too focused on the envelope to send him his due glare—Thaddeus spoke.
“Alright,” his voice brought my gaze back to him. “We don’t have much time, as I have much more pressing matters waiting for me, so let's make this quick. As you are all well aware, the board was able to sustain its existence for so long because of a few things. Of course, each family’s actions, but also the actions of the societies and, on a larger scale, the global village. The way they did this is by, first, having the people believe in an imagined order, one of our choosing. Democracy, capitalism, religion, whichever sways the people of the region we wish to gain control of. Second, never admitting this imagined order is exactly that, imagined. Always insisting and believing, as the people follow by example, that the order is an objective reality. One created by the laws of nature or God. Again, whatever holds control and sways the minds of the smaller societies. People aren’t equal because Thomas Jefferson saidso, but because God made it so. Free markets are the best economic systems, not because of the words of Adam Smith, but because these are the immutable laws of nature.
“You then educate the people. Ironic, yes, but when you instill the idea and reality of this imagined order into them from birth and continue to remind them to depend on this order through stories, film, songs, manners, architecture, political agendas, art… you’re free to control them without fear of a revolution. Because then, and only then, they become slow, lazy, too comfortable in the life of their own, believing themselves special in their interests, interests we created.
“You do all of this through three things. One, you weave the order you created into the material world. Out there, you’re taught individualism. That only you determine your worth and value. Here at Castle Hill, your true worth is determined by your place in the social hierarchy. Second, the imagined order must shape society's desires. Push the narrative of romanticism, which then gives birth to consumerism. The marriage between romanticism and consumerism creates an infinite market, one that we can benefit from, especially if we are the ones setting the trends. The trend to buy experiences, to buy love, to buy comfort. Third, and last, the order must be intersubjective. It cannot exist in the mind of a select few. It must be a shared idea, one that connects billions. That way, even if one gains consciousness, they can hardly influence the masses.”
We sat in silence, each of us hanging on to each word, hoping for the next. It was interesting, to say the least. Thaddeus had anatural talent for public speaking, and so his words had resonated so deeply that I, too, felt part of this controlled ‘global village’. As if someone inside my brain was whispering for me to trust this man with my life, money, and soul.
I didn’t come here believing that there was an amiable way to gain the range of power that those who sat on the board had. And so, his words weren’t exactly shocking. I just hadn’t thought, in a million years, I’d be privy to such secrets.
Thaddeus seemed to visibly, comically, sag. “That’s a lot of words. Okay, now that that little lesson is out of the way, onto your next task. Exciting.”
He smirked that confident smirk only someone born of power and wealth could have; someone so confident in their capabilities.
He pointed a finger at the folder in Rain’s lap before pulling out a short brown stick from his pocket that could only be a cigar. “Read through it, study it, memorize it. Because as of today, you have your first true task under the Founder’s Society and direct orders from the board.”
I couldn’t help but quirk my brow at the sudden pressure, watching from the side of my eye as everyone else around me displayed a tick of their own to relieve the stress.
Thaddeus, too focused on his cigar, and treating Paris’ concern as a jest, or maybe he just didn’t care, continued to talk as though this was a shallow conversation, “The Kensington family has become somewhat of a thorn in the board’s side.
“Well, they always have been. But as of recently, they are advocating for a ‘Parent Association’ approach to Castle Hill. Planting the seed of eliminating the board to our fellow constituents. You understand why that may very well become a problem.”
He looked around with a pointed look, but I was too busy looking at the envelope Rain was holding.
“You see, these problems… They are best to be pulled out by the roots. There is no need to delve deep into trying to understand.”
“So, any threats to the board, we take care of?” Ajax asked.
Thaddeus answered, “No, not all. Only those that we think would be good practice for you.”
Marigold looked nauseous as Thaddeus continued on. “Who are the Kensingtons? Any information prior to reading the folder?”
The folder in question remained unopened as we all turned away to answer Thaddeus, except I came up blank. I didn’t remember any Kensingtons around Castle Hill, let alone anyone sharing the name.
“King Kensington and Scott Kensington. They are twins in their fourth year here at Castle Hill,” Rain said with confidence and when she finished, Ajax spoke after her, adding in, “King’s on the football team, no nonsense kind of guy. Scott is… on the reckless side.”
Thaddeus seemed to think over their words, taking in a deep drag of his cigar before blowing out the thick air. He pointed at Ajaxand nodded to Rain. “Next time, lead withthat. Facts, I can get with the snap of my finger.”
I could see the red burning on Rain’s cheeks as he spoke, and Ajax almost looked guilty for it. Not exactly a friendship but it was something Thaddeus should consider.
Besides that, King and Scott are names I’d never heard before and I was fully prepared to plan out my study session for the evening when Thaddeus spoke directly to me, “Sasha… what will happen now?”
“I’m sorry?”
“With what you know about the Kensingtons. Walk me through what happens now.”
I gritted my teeth, knowing exactly what he wanted me to prove to those around me.
