The Words - An Autobiography

Richest

One day, sometime during Virtuality's third year of existence, I entered my office to learn I'd ascended to the top of the list of the wealthiest people in the world. I'd somehow remained ignorant of this fact for an entire month after the announcement of the updated list. But I'd never paid attention to any financial news sources. I let my little brother worry about that. I was too busy enjoying a second childhood, spending each day with what seemed to me to be a bunch of teenagers, contemplating what else would benefit Virtuality but mostly letting it take care of itself while I wandered about it in awe.

My brother asked, "How does it feel to be the wealthiest man in the world?" He'd been waiting for me, his patience at an end, having expected me to have come running to him with the news a month earlier.

I asked, in return, "How would I know?"

Then in the face of his silent, dumbfounded lack of reaction, I realized that I must have reached that summit, which had always been far more important to him. I supposed I ought to feel something, I thought, trying to appreciate a small portion of what that would have meant to him. It was certainly something many people, besides my brother, would consider the ultimate accomplishment.

All I could manage, as my thoughts drifted to other things, was, "I feel the same as I did a few minutes ago. I'm still planning to get up every day and do what I do, which, apart from the travel you still demand of me, is exactly what I am happy doing."

As a wicked dig that I couldn't resist, I added, "I suppose it is ironic, becoming the richest man in the world selling Magick Hats and Pixie Dust."

My brother was distraught that I wasn't more excited about his news and stunned that I hadn't already known. He told me, "I can't imagine anything would make me happier and prouder than accomplishing what it took to become the richest man in the world. I'm so proud of you but disappointed at the same time that it doesn't mean more to you. Wouldn't you be proud of me?"

I thought a moment, then told him, "I suppose I would be happy for you since that has always been so much more important to you than it ever will be to me."

He said, "I can't think of a thing I've ever aspired to more than becoming the wealthiest man in the world."

"How close are you?" I inquired.

"A distant second," he answered, wearing a suspicious expression.

I joked, "I hoped it isn't important enough for you to bump me off. First, it would piss off my wife, which we both know you don't want to do. Second, it would do you no good. She'd be the richest person in the world. But, if it is that important to you, I'll give you whatever it takes for you to pass us to the top of the list. And I'm sure she won't mind or even be aware since she has everything anyone can provide her."

He shook his head in astonishment and disgust at my carefree attitude toward my wealth. He asked, "How did you ever get so rich and care so little about it?"

I told him, "My wife asked me to become the richest man in the world so I could buy her a lab. So, I did. I've made it my policy to do anything she's ever asked."

"Now you're just fucking with me," he accused.

And he was right. I was a big brother, giving my little brother a bit of shit. I'd never seen the value in his obsession with money. But now, in the clarity of retrospect, I had to give credit where due. "I recognize that my wife and I, and Bob, owed you a great deal of gratitude, little brother. None of us would have done near as well on our own."

Fighting back the tears, my stone-cold, silent assassin of a little brother told me, "I appreciated your recognition of my contribution." He added, "Even though your obliviousness to finances pisses me off, you don't give yourself enough credit. You weren't just lucky enough to catch hold and ride an emerging market. You created one that didn't exist. You invented things the world wasn't even aware it would want. But now it is ravenous for any idea that emerges from your company and the telepathic innovation engine you created - which the rest of the world still has no clue exists."