NOVEL FROG Chapter 38: An Even Playing Field
The gardens behind the villa took up six times more space than the building itself. Three meter high pink stone walls rimmed the perimeter. Originally Simon told me that they were to keep the deer from nibbling on his plants. Now I was looking at them with new eyes.
When we came to Porto one of the first things Simon built was a fortress to keep the world out. It had been our place, our little island of calm and safety. There were gardens to explore, a pool to swim in, and rooms full of books for me to read. It contained everything a little girl could want, except for friends.
Now he had purchased a continent and no doubt he would change it to his liking, just as he had done with Porto. Simon's wealth was seemingly without limits. King Aerospace, King Construction, King Shipping, King Entertainment, King Pharmaceutical, King Electronics. Those were just the flagship brands. Within two decades Simon had gone from a relatively unknown person to one of the most wealthy people in all of Homeworld.
He owned pieces of so many different companies that only he could keep track of them all. Yet somehow he had managed to avoid the pitfall most other titans of industry willingly stepped into. Simon had gone with the flow and adapted to meet changing conditions, rather than trying to change the conditions to favor his companies.
If he bought up a supplier of parts, he wouldn't restrict a rival from purchasing from them or give low priority to their orders. No, he would extend favorable terms and even lines of credit. He didn't buy politicians or lobby for tax breaks. However, he did contribute massively to candidates that he believed in.
Though he never seemed to seek to exploit that support, not the way others might have. I saw it with my own eyes when I was twelve years old. The new Prime Minister of Espa came over for dinner after winning the election. He thanked Simon for his contributions, wondering what it would cost him.
Nobody had thought that a progressive would win, much less one that was against big business and favored social welfare programs. Simon's support had definitely come as a surprise since his companies stood to lose the most if this new Prime Minister followed through on his promises to tax the rich in order to pay for his reforms.
After dessert was served Prime Minister Oscar Tamblin asked a question, wringing his orange furred hands as if he were afraid to hear the answer. “So, Mr. King, is there anything I can do for you? You have been… a friend to me in this election. And I feel like I should ask how I can repay the favor… as a friend.”
To which Simon had told the nervous katzen, “No, I’m quite alright, thank you. Just do your best for the country and the people in it.”
“So you don't want anything in return?” The Prime Minister had pressed. “Nothing at all?”
Simon's reaction puzzled me at first, but as he talked his logic became clear.
He took a sip of his tea then laid out in simple terms why the Prime Minister didn't owe him anything. “I didn't buy the election for you, or put you in power. You had a message that resonated with people and a clearly defined plan to pay for it. You promised things that were achievable in a timeframe that was reasonable.”
“Your opponent did none of these things. All I did was level the playing field so that democracy would work the way it is supposed to. Forcing a Prime Minister that people don't want on a people is stupid, short sighted, and invites massive political upheaval down the road. I did what was right for Espa.”
“But I don't understand.” The orange katzen had replied, confusion visible on his face. “I campaigned on promises of tax reform and making sure companies pay their fair share. Why would you ever support me if you didn't want something in return?”
Simon had just laughed, further confusing the new Prime Minister. “Tax my companies if you want. Grant contracts to my competitors if they are the better choice. I built my business to thrive on a level playing field and I have no problem paying taxes so long as they are used to make life better for people.”
Then he leaned in close, speaking slowly and clearly, making sure that his next point struck home. “Others will try and bribe you, sometimes for things that you were going to do anyway. Take their money, if you want. But understand this, they are spending thousands to save millions and often that cost will be passed on to the government and the people. I would happily match their offer and let you decide based on your conscience and best judgment.”
I remember how the lean orange katzen had sat there, enraptured as Simon spoke. “I have often thought that politicians sell themselves too cheaply. If people knew how little it took to bribe a member of parliament they would riot. For a few thousand credits and a good dinner they will happily sign legislation that saves companies millions and costs the people billions.”
“Imagine the worker or the homeowner finding out that they are going to lose everything because someone wanted a new car. Surely if the affected people pooled their resources they could match the offer.”
“No, Mr. Prime Minister. I'm not trying to buy you. I'm making sure that nobody else can. I'm leveling the playing field so that those who can't survive without cheating and bribing suddenly find out what it is like to pay their fair share, because I know they can't afford it. They aren't structured for it, but I am.”
“Fuck.” Oscar Tamblin had replied, realizing the full implication of what was happening. “I think I would have rather just given you the tax breaks. You're going to use me to burn your competition… but it could work.”
He furrowed his brow. “We can fix the tax code and remove a few exemptions to pay for social programs, some companies will leave rather than pay but that just opens up new opportunities for you.”
The Prime Minister had sat back heavily in his chair, trying to wrap his head around this strange new situation he found himself in. “A whole lot of people are going to fight this. They're going to come after both of us hard once they realize their pockets are getting lighter.”
“Then there's the problem of actually using the funds and making sure they don’t get diverted. Nobody spends money like a government with a surplus.”
“If I may make a suggestion…” Simon said, a smile curling at the corner of his lips. “King Construction is more than capable of handling any large projects and will do so better and cheaper than anyone else. King Medical will be able to use economies of scale to produce medicines in house for lower costs, providing jobs as well.”
“Of course all of this will have to go through the proper channels. But we will charge far less than any of our competitors and do better work, ensuring we are the obvious choice. All you have to do is make sure that nobody bribes their way to a winning bid. And I mean it, if our bid isn't the lowest or we aren't the best fit, don't pick us.”
Simon's face turned serious. “I'm going to make sure as much of that money as possible goes to the people of Espa so it stays in the country and keeps moving around, doing good. That's what I did with King Aerospace here in Porto. The Western Alliance sees Espa as a small country not worth investing in. I see things differently.”
“You're choking out your competition and creating monopolies.” The Prime Minister stroked his whiskers. “I can't say that I like that. What is to stop you from raising prices once you have no competition?”
“Self preservation, for one thing. I have no desire to burn bright then burn out. The only reason I have expanded so aggressively is to prevent other larger companies from using their influence to destroy mine.” Simon explained.
“Companies, like people, need to face reality on reality’s terms. There was a company on the human homeworld called Eastman Kodak that made photographic film and cameras, achieving a near monopoly. They developed the first self contained digital camera, a piece of technology that their engineers were sure would eventually completely replace film.”
“But instead of embracing this new technology they buried it, because digital cameras would eventually kill their very profitable film business. But you can't put a lid on progress. The digital camera came and Eastman Kodak went bankrupt.”
“If I price gouge then someone will undercut me. What most companies do in that situation is try and find some way to use their influence to screw over the other company, rather than charging what they should and being competitive. That's a slow death waiting to happen. Or a quick one if someone like me comes along and levels the playing field.”
The Prime Minister digested this new information. “I don't know if I'm getting in bed with a saint or a demon.”
“A bit of both.” Simon laughed. “My horns are holding up my halo. But I mean what I said, all I'm trying to do is help people and create a level playing field. You aren't beholden to me, or anyone else. Follow your conscience and your best judgment.”
“I really want to believe you, Mr. King. But a career in politics has taught me to be skeptical.” Oscar Tamblin rose from his chair. “Thank you for your hospitality. It was a pleasure to meet you and your lovely daughter.”
I remember thinking at the time that he was being silly for not trusting Simon. You could always trust Simon. But now as I went out into the garden to see my father, I was beginning to have some doubts.