Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: GREED (avarice, particularly for wealth and things) (01/22/15)
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TITLE: Mr. Pennyworth's Worth | Previous Challenge Entry
By C D Swanson
01/29/15 -
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Poor Mr. Pennyworth, nothing to do but count his money and his woes. He was worth, at last count, twenty-five billion dollars…but that still wasn’t enough to satisfy his avaricious nature. Nope. In fact, it hardly slaked his thirst…and was merely an appetizer that barely stoked his voracious hunger.
His company was consistently number one throughout the financial world, and his employees were in the thousands. He didn’t have time to dally with the “common-folk” or listen to the “voice” of the community. He was above all of that.
Tall and lanky, with hair that rivaled Donald Trump, he lived in a penthouse. It was only one of twenty places he called home. They featured him on the cover of Fortune 500 magazine looking out his impressive ceiling to the floor windows affording a panoramic view of the city, the tag line read— “I’m sitting atop the world, and don’t I know it…so watch out below.”
A self-made millionaire at twenty-five, his rise to fame and wealth, of historic proportions, wasn’t enough for Mr. Pennyworth. Nope. He had to keep going, keep pushing and pushing. The employees secretly called him the “steamroller.” He didn’t care who he took down in his path of “glory” and he respected money more than anything else.
His assistant Midge, a sweet lovely woman was the antithesis of Mr. Pennyworth. She would run around and try to “undo” the irreparable damage his wrath incurred. She was known as “the only person that liked Mr. Pennyworth.” Individuals either thought she was crazy for putting up with his drama and quirky behavior that bordered on bizarre, while others thought she was a living saint. Her shiny auburn hair secured in a bun accentuated her heart-shaped face, and the light in her brown eyes seemed to illuminate any room she was in.
Midge tried to warn Mr. Pennyworth in their daily interactions. “Mr. Pennyworth, don’t you think you should slow down? I’ve been telling you for the past twenty years that you can’t take this with you when you’re called home.”
“Nonsense! I can’t stand to be mollycoddled…so stop at once Midge. Let’s continue with the business please, I’m not going to be attending your church anytime soon.”
“Mr. Pennyworth, there is so much more to life than money…”
“Midge let me get out my harp to accompany your violin.”
“Sorry.”
That was just one of numerous conversations throughout the years. Always ending with Midge giving into his wishes, after all…she couldn’t force him to change. Only the Holy Spirit could touch his heart. She’d never give up on him. She’d continue to invite him to her church. She knew there was something more inside his coarse demeanor. Her discerning ability was keenly accurate.
*********
“Midge, I’m going to Aruba this weekend, make sure you read those things on that list.” He handed her a folded yellow page. “Look it over tonight. It’s very important.”
“Okay Mr. Pennyworth, I will.” She briefly glanced at the paper.
“I have to get going, call Addison and have him bring the limo around front, call the plane and make sure it’s ready to take off within the hour.”
“Yes sir.”
He picked up his attaché case and in an uncharacteristic gesture held out his hand to Midge and smiled. “I don’t know how I’d ever function without you. See you when I get back.” He looked into her eyes for a lingering moment before releasing her hand.
“Thank you Mr. Pennyworth.” Midge watched him walk out the office and felt something had changed in that lapse of time. She didn’t know what it was…but she felt something different.
*********
The plane crashed killing Mr. Pennyworth, the pilot, and flight attendant upon impact. There wasn’t any grief to be found for Mr. Pennyworth. The candelabras’ flickered as Midge approached the gold casket. There were “three people” besides Midge in attendance… owners of the funeral home.
Midge, recipient of the estate whispered, “I knew there was something different that day. See you soon Mr. Pennyworth.”
The last line on the yellow paper read: “Midge, I’ve recently accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, will attend your Church.”
Mr. Pennyworth finally found his true treasure…
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A sad picture of stubborn carnal man who's on the downgrade in life and cannot always find the brakes either.
Your story however offered hope and is a great reminder to be faithful, like the little nobody girl, to reach out and just love for no other reason than love. Well done!
Loved the ending!
The word limit has obviated some of the details that would have thrown more light on Mr Pennyworth's inner journey, but you have captured what really matters.