Narcissus on his knees gazed into the new blue reflecting pool. In the reflection of his smiling face he saw the reflected images of the golden arch of triumph, and the buildings that were now enshrined with his name. He was surely loved by all and would always be remembered as the greatest ever.

Now contented with his legacy he gestured to his loyal retinue to have them assist him in rising to his feet. Lost in thoughts of his glory, he slowly turned to return to the now gilded palace that had been remade in his image. As his retinue directed his steps away from the homeless sleeping on the sidewalks and past the families begging for food and assistance, he glanced briefly at a child being hustled away with her weeping parents by masked agents.

His mind was already focused on the dozens of stock market transactions and the crypto deals to be made now that there were no longer any watchdog agencies to protect the public from corruption. He’d taken care of that problem long ago.

Hal Huestis
Eugene