{"id":105,"date":"2013-07-20T21:01:52","date_gmt":"2013-07-20T21:01:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/?page_id=105"},"modified":"2013-07-20T21:01:52","modified_gmt":"2013-07-20T21:01:52","slug":"chapter-9","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/story\/chapter-9\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 9"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 9<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Money can\u2019t buy you everything.<\/i><\/p>\n

When you become rich, everyone always chides you with that remark:\u00a0 \u201cmoney can\u2019t buy you everything.\u201d\u00a0 In my experience, that was farther from the truth than anyone is willing to let on.\u00a0 Money can buy a person many luxuries, friends, even social standing. Money is one of the most useful commodities.<\/i><\/p>\n

But money is the root of all evil.<\/i><\/p>\n

People will also tell you this when you are wealthy.\u00a0 As for my personal opinion, I\u2019d rather be rich and evil, than poor and pious.<\/i><\/p>\n

And then the day came when money no longer mattered.\u00a0 If your world is structured around your income and the purchase of goods, what is there to life when none of those things are available to you anymore?\u00a0 It makes life seem almost empty.<\/i><\/p>\n

But they were still lying.\u00a0 It\u2019s not that money can\u2019t buy you everything.<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s more that money can\u2019t buy you anything.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Wednesday, April 11, 2012<\/b><\/b>
\n2 days before Infernal Friday<\/i><\/p>\n

Howard Dorough adjusted his tie meticulously as he stared into the mirror in the dean\u2019s office.\u00a0 His knot was off-center.\u00a0 He continued to fiddle with it as he turned back to the dean slightly.<\/p>\n

Dean Keon placed his office phone back into its receiver.\u00a0 \u201cSorry about the wait, Mr. Dorough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Howard shook his head slightly as he stared back into the mirror, adjusting his tie a third and final time.\u00a0 It seems pretentious to say so, but at least for today, Howard Dorough had every right to adjust his tie seven hundred times if he wanted to.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow,\u201d the dean smiled, \u201cwould you like a tour of the building?\u201d<\/p>\n

Howard gave him a stiff nod.<\/p>\n

Howard was the multi-million dollar creator and CEO of Dorough International.\u00a0 His more or less humble beginnings had started in hotel property management at the beginning of the new millennium.\u00a0 A decade later, he had reached the top tier of the business.\u00a0 It was truly one of those rags-to-riches, success stories \u2013 without the rags, of course.\u00a0 His father had, after all, been a sort of second-in-command to the Hilton empire.\u00a0 It was only natural the hotels would be his original love.<\/p>\n

There were some days when he missed his nearly-humble beginnings with his business.\u00a0 He used to be able to visit each of his properties daily.\u00a0 But now that he owned well over one hundred, it was practically impossible \u2013 especially when several of them were outside of the state of Florida; never mind that he only had a few properties within Orlando itself these days.<\/p>\n

A small smirk crossed his face.<\/p>\n

And there were those days when his wealth, power, and prestige brought a smile to his face \u2013 most days were like this.<\/p>\n

Today was one of the latter.<\/p>\n

He was currently visiting the University of Central Florida\u2019s campus.\u00a0 With his funding, a new building had been erected and was finally ready to open on the university campus, just in time for the summer session.\u00a0 Being a prominent businessman, it was only fitting that he would donate to the business program of the university in his home town.<\/p>\n

That is one of the drawbacks and bonuses to being rich.\u00a0 People expect you to be a philanthropist.\u00a0 But when you are a philanthropist, people remember your name.<\/p>\n

And nothing says \u201cI\u2019m important\u201d more than a building with your name etched into it.<\/p>\n

Howard smiled at the thought of his name being preserved long after his death and through many millennia.\u00a0 People would remember Howard Dorough \u2013 he would make sure of that.<\/p>\n

He adjusted his tie a fourth time as he followed Dean Keon out of his office.<\/p>\n

In a matter of minutes, they had descended an elevator and walked out of the building into the Florida sun.\u00a0 Howard adjusted his collar.\u00a0 Since he spent most of his time indoors these days, he had forgotten how unbearable the Florida weather was in a suit, even in mid-April.<\/p>\n

A university cart was parked outside the Business Administrative building for them.<\/p>\n

Howard raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a bit of a walk to it from here.\u00a0 It\u2019s past the far end of the second Business Administrative building.\u201d<\/p>\n

Satisfied with the answer, Howard stepped into the cart.\u00a0 He sat beside the dean in the passenger seating area.<\/p>\n

The driver started the cart and proceeded to head toward the newest addition to the Business Administrative plaza.<\/p>\n

The dean described how they\u2019d come to pick the location of the newest building and the history of the two previous buildings.\u00a0 Apparently, his building was on the lot which had previously contained the University Theatre.\u00a0 It had been rebuilt at a new location a few years prior, so it only made sense to fill the location with a new building for one of the nearby degree complexes:\u00a0 business or science, particularly computer science. Business, however, had happened to claim the lot first.\u00a0 Thanks, in large part, to Mr. Dorough\u2019s kind contribution.<\/p>\n

Although lengthy, there was no one who could withstand the power of the dean\u2019s flattery.\u00a0 Howard gave him a large smile as he accepted the praise graciously.<\/p>\n

After all, he was more than used to listening to lavish praise.<\/p>\n

The cart stopped abruptly, and Howard put his hand to his chest before brushing off the sudden stop.\u00a0 He took in a few low breaths before getting out of the cart and brushing off his slacks.<\/p>\n

Howard stood in front of the building in front of him.\u00a0 It matched the other two Business Administration buildings in appearance.\u00a0 It had the same facade constructed completely of windows.\u00a0 It had the same circular, modern architecture style.\u00a0 But this one was different.<\/p>\n

This one was called the \u201cHoward D. Dorough Business Administration\u201d building.<\/p>\n

He smiled and stared up at his name.\u00a0 Everyone always said it was impossible to be remembered, unless you did something amazing, like a work of art or great literature.\u00a0 But he had certainly proved them wrong.<\/p>\n

Anyone will be remembered if they have enough money to get their name out there.\u00a0 And not just out there, but on something indestructible.<\/p>\n

Money is the key to securing remembrance.\u00a0 That was obviously certain.\u00a0 People with money make things happen.<\/p>\n

The dean placed his hand on Howard\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 Howard brushed it aside lightly by pulling his shoulder away.<\/p>\n

The dean straightened his tie and cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like to go inside?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I would like to see just how this building turned out.\u201d<\/p>\n

He held open the door for Howard.<\/p>\n

Howard slid into the opening and entered the building.<\/p>\n

The dean followed closely behind him.<\/p>\n

The foyer was wide and held classic leather couches and various potted plants in strategic corners.<\/p>\n

The building guide directly center noted where offices were and on which floors.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo the students use this building?\u201d Howard studied the sheet intensely.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s intended to be a graduate level building, but I believe that there will be a least a few undergraduate courses in its classrooms.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHas there not been space for the graduate students in the other two buildings?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes, but not always.\u00a0 We\u2019ve had business classes in overflow classrooms, like the mathematics building.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat an odd place to put business students.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree, but it is nice to know that we\u2019ve been forced to do it because there has been high enrollment and retention in the business program.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe universities are doing a fine job of producing tomorrow\u2019s business leaders.\u00a0 That was why I was happy to donate funds toward this building\u2019s construction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would actually love it if you could see the large lecture hall we have created in this building.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo keep students away from mathematics?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t have said it better myself.\u201d\u00a0 Dean Keon laughed as he led Howard toward the elevator.<\/p>\n

The two descended toward the lowest floor of the building.\u00a0 The elevators opened, and they stood in a long hallway.\u00a0 The outer side was constructed completely of windows \u2013 even the doors were made of windows.\u00a0 The inner side contained the doors to the large lecture hall.<\/p>\n

The dean opened one and ushered Howard in.\u00a0 The lecture hall was completed with red padded chairs and sleek black walls.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this for undergraduate courses?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t imagine many graduate courses needing large lecture halls.\u201d<\/p>\n

Howard nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis room seats three hundred students.\u00a0 So it is a great asset to the Business Administrative complex.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed.\u201d\u00a0 Howard nodded in agreement with the dean.<\/p>\n

They exited back into the half-glass hallway.\u00a0 Dean Keon pulled open one of the doors and led Howard out to the side of the complex.<\/p>\n

He motioned toward the large staircase to his left.\u00a0 \u201cAnd, if we go back up these stairs, we\u2019d return to the main lobby of the building.\u201d<\/p>\n

Howard crinkled his nose at the thought of climbing up that many stairs, when a sound caught his ear.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s that noise?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dean Keon turned toward the Student Union.\u00a0 It seemed as though he already had his suspicions about what was producing the sound.\u00a0 \u201cI apologize, Mr. Dorough.\u00a0 Some of the student population does not support America\u2019s involvement in this recent war.\u00a0 Protestors are inevitable\u2026\u00a0 You know how idealistic the younger generation is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Howard cleared his throat as he stared toward the Student Union.\u00a0 \u201cIdealistic\u201d was far from the word he would choose.\u00a0 Rather than idealistic\u2026 he would probably opt for \u201cdirectionless.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMake peace, not war!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBring our soldiers home!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s learn!\u00a0 Not fight!\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

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Chapter 9 Money can\u2019t buy you everything. When you become rich, everyone always chides you with that remark:\u00a0 \u201cmoney can\u2019t buy you everything.\u201d\u00a0 In my experience, that was farther from the truth than anyone is willing to let on.\u00a0 Money … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":8,"menu_order":9,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"onecolumn-page.php","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/105"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/105\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":106,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/105\/revisions\/106"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}