Chapter 1 Arohga’s Transformation.

        Urtivas, where Raknas made a small fortune in business, was the capital of Suris. He was a student in the school where Bocaj was a teacher; recently Arohga joined the school as a teacher. He was not only intelligent and efficient but he was also a good organizer. He looked like a simpleton, dressed in old fashioned clothes and spoke no more than a few words. That year, the school invited Raknas to be the chief guest at the school Annual Day Celebrations. Arohga was in charge of the organization and management of the celebrations. Raknas was impressed by Arohga’s quiet efficiency. Recently Raknas was charged heavy penalty for not paying adequate Income Tax on his business profits. He was planning to declare insolvency to his present business and to start a new business with the money he managed to conceal from the authorities. This time he wanted to run and control the business making a pliable person its nominal owner. Arohga appeared fit to play that role. In every country and in all ages, teachers were poorly compensated. Raknas spoke to Arohga and asked him if he would be willing to come to Urtivas and work for him; he was promised double his present salary.

        A: That would be wonderful but I know nothing about any business.

        R: That doesn’t matter! I am sure that an intelligent person like you can learn fast on the job.

        A: … If you are prepared to put up with my inadequacy, I shall give it a try.

        Raknas worked out the details and brought into existence “Progressive Enterprises” (P.E.). It was registered under the name of Arohga as its sole owner and Chief Executive Officer. Privately, he promised to work under Raknas and to follow all his instructions, as the Managing Director of the company. This arrangement worked smoothly for a few years; Arohga gained proficiency in running the P.E. He also mastered the devious devices that Raknas had been employing; all the business was carried out in the name of Arohga. He made his intellectual inputs in the name of Raknas and remained faithful to his word; irrespective of his own opinions he followed every instruction of Raknas. The company soon made a fortune; from lessons learnt from his previous experience, Raknas succeeded in diverting most of the profits from the notice of the government.

        Puru was an island state which remained neutral politically and maintained good relations with a number of countries including Suris. Puru had liberal banking laws; banks were not required to disclose the details of an account, maintained under a code consisting of numbers and letters, except to the account holder. Transactions of monies of various countries were accepted. Puru government’s income mainly consisted of taxes collected from the banks; they also enjoy many other advantages. However, only citizens of Puru were authorized to open and run such banks; Puru Supreme Court had the authority to examine and question any transaction but it rarely interfered. The banks were required to submit an accurate statement of their earnings every January. The punishment for tax evasion was swift and heavy. Because the taxation rates were modest, people and banks generally honored the law. The government had a right to examine all transactions of a bank, in confidence but this right had never been used. Arohga continued to remain spineless and faithful to his word and won the confidence of Raknas who was happy to enjoy the benefits without responsibility. He began to increasingly depend on Arohga. Income saved from the notice of the government, was deposited in a Puru bank in Arohga’s name.

        P.E. rose to the status of one of the few prosperous companies in Urtivas. One day Arohga’s former colleague, Bocaj went to meet him. The friends were very happy to meet and to exchange news, each at the other person’s end. Then Bocaj revealed the main purpose of his visit; he said “Arohga! I can see that you have prospered and are in a senior position of a reputed company. I have actually come to seek a favor from you.”

        A: Oh, come on! Don’t be so formal with me. Don’t hesitate to tell me what you want.

        B: … You remember Nomis?

        A: Of course, I do. How can I forget your son and my student? … What is he doing now?

        B: He is now a graduate; he has been looking for a good job for the past six months but could not succeed… I have come to ask you whether it would be possible for you to offer him a job in your organization.

        Suddenly, Arohga became silent and contemplative.

        B: … Please don’t bother if you have some impediment.

        After a brief silence Arohga began to speak. “Bocaj! All the wealth and prosperity you are seeing here are built on fraud and deceit of the government and the public; the company is as stable as a bubble of soap water; it is colorful and attractive while it lasts. Once the suspicion of the government is aroused, the bubble will burst, leaving no trace! What you are seeing is not the good old moral God-fearing Arohga; this is a polluted crook playing the role of an instrument in the hands of the devil named Raknas… Do you want to sacrifice Nomis also to this devil?”

        B: No Arohga no! Neither I nor Nomis would like to be associated with such a company… How are you able to continue in this environment, Arohga?

        A: That is a good question… In the beginning I did not realize it; by the time I realized, it was too late. Now it is a ride on the tiger. I can’t dismount casually; I have to plan and withdraw carefully.

        B: I am dismayed to hear about your actual state Arohga! May God show you the way and give you the strength to reform yourself.

        Arohga had been following every instruction of Raknas; however in the recent past, he began to examine his actions. He realized that he had been pulling the chestnuts from fire for the benefit of Raknas and was living a slave’s life. He began feeling disgusted with the life he was leading and wondered if he needed to continue leading such a life… The taste of wealth was not something whose influence could be easily discarded. He saw two routes he might take. He decided to become independent of Raknas; one route was to return to his teaching profession and the other was to prove that he can refine Raknas’s techniques and become a smarter crook. Inukas was Raknas’s trusted spy who used to pass on the sensitive information from sister companies, gathered by him. This helped P.E. gain several government contracts and tenders. When Arohga discovered the spy he began training Inas secretly as Arohga’s confidential spy.

After leaving necessary instructions to Arohga, Raknas used to spend his time visiting different places of interest in the world, along with his wife Inav and daughter Urap. Droh was reputed to be the wealthiest country which had several places of tourist interest. Raknas planned a one week visit along with Inav and Urap. According to the usual practice, he gave Arohga detailed instructions regarding the works in progress.

There were a few minor projects which had to be attended to. There was one important tender worth one million Suris dollars. “Eminent Enterprises” (E.E.) was the closest of their competitors. Inukias managed to obtain their proposed quotation and gave it to Arohga; Inas also obtained and submitted the same information; he made an interesting suggestion.

I: … Sir, I would like to make a proposal.

A: Let us hear it!

I: What the E.E. proposed to submit is in fact the minimum cost for the project. Of course, with the information with us, we can underbid and win the contact. I feel that it would be profitable for both E.E and P.E. if we cooperated rather than competed.

A: How?

I: I know Mr. Oyam, the Chief Managing Director of E.E. I can arrange your secret meeting with him. Both of you can come to an understanding about who would get any big government contract or tender. If both of you can continue to be bound by the understanding both of you can submit proposals for inflated amounts, raising profits for both P.E. and E.E.

A: That is a wonderful idea! … Do you think Oyam would be willing to cooperate?

I: Why not sir! … If I have your permission, I will talk with Mr.Oyam.

A: Go ahead! Good luck!

Arohga and Oyam met and came to an agreement to loot the government jointly. As a gesture of goodwill, Arohga offered the present tender of one million Suris dollars to Oyam. In fact it was no goodwill gesture at all; Arohga knew that a tender for construction of a dam across the only River Saras in Suris, worth two million was due to be issued soon!

The present tender was awarded to E.E. As soon as Raknas returned from his pleasure trip, Inukas complained to him that in spite of giving all confidential information about E.E., Arohga lost the valuable tender! Raknas became very angry and began abusing Arohga who was still in a dilemma about his course of action and of its timing.

R: I have been training you for the past several months; even a fool could have learnt the tricks of our enterprise by now! I did not realize that I brought not only a fool but also a blockhead from the school!

A: We have been underbidding E.E. earlier because we too could make a smaller profit, even with our quotes. This time, E.E.’s bid was the barest minimum. If we made a lower bid and wanted to make a profit, we would have been forced to dilute quality to a dangerous level…

R: --So what? We can always transfer the blame to the suppliers of the materials. Our only concern should be to make a profit from every deal by hook or by crook. Promises made, morality or consideration for public benefit should not cloud our vision or block our actions… You should take care only to be out of law’s reach… You have lost a valuable tender; you seem to be unfit for the job. We have to look for a replacement.

A: Please Mr.Raknas! Let me have another chance; I will justify your faith in me.

R: Nonsense! We have lost a prestigious tender because of your inefficiency! I can’t bear this loss and this humiliation!

A: Please sir! I request you to trust me…

Inav who was with Raknas, intervened; “—Alright, Arohga! Just one more chance! Prove yourself or quit.” Raknas did not like her interference but kept quiet.

A: Thank you madam; thank you Mr.Raknas! I will soon prove myself.

When they were alone, Raknas asked Inav why she wanted to retain Arohga. She answered “Can we ever get a simpleton, more obedient and more faithful than Arohga?”

        The P.E developed a close rapport with Natlus, ruler of a small oil rich Arab country, Wazit. Because all transactions were done in the name of Arohga, his family and he were invited by Natlus for the marriage of his son, Prince Ludba. Urap and Inav were keen to go to Wazit as royal guests and persuaded Raknas to manage to do the needful. He made Arohga apologize to Natlus for his inability to leave Urtivas at that time because of his committed engagements; he requested Natlus to permit him send as his representative, Raknas their Managing Director. Arohga also promised to pay a visit as soon as possible.

        Arohga was annoyed that Raknas compelled him to surrender his opportunity to go to Wazit; he complied because he did not quite make up his mind about his future course of action. After Raknas thundered against him even without giving him an opportunity to explain his action, he came to a decision. He looked like a simpleton but he was very intelligent and clever; he was responsible for P.E’s prosperity, although the devious means adopted were those of Raknas. Now Arohga decided to demonstrate what he was capable of doing and to show Raknas his place. Arohga felt that Raknas’s one week visit to Wazit provided an excellent opportunity for both.

        The long awaited promised aid from Droh to Suris for the construction of a dam across River Saras materialized. Ivar the ruler of Suris was very happy and thanked Narak the President of Droh profusely. Ivar wanted the dam to be the showpiece of pride for Suris; he also wanted its construction by a local organization as quickly as it could be done.

        This was the very opportunity Arohga had been waiting for. He started preparations long ago; he contacted engineers experienced in construction of such dams in Droh and they promised to help him in the dam construction in Suris. He requested the engineers, with their assisting technical personnel to come to Urtivas and to work for P.E. for six months to prepare a project report and to train local engineers to carry out the construction work after the team left. He shifted P.E. to a larger premises; he got rooms specially furnished for Arohga, the Chief Executive Officer, Raknas; the Managing Director and for the invited technical staff. Because all legitimate profits of P.E. were deposited in a local bank and all illegitimate profits were deposited in a secret account in Puru, both in Arohga’s name, he generously withdrew money for all expenses. Finally, one day before Raknas returned, all the other employees of P.E., including Inukas, were dismissed and replaced by fresh staff. Arohga also decided to change his appearance of a spineless simpleton. He now looked like a smart stylish and intelligent executive.

        After returning from Wazit, Raknas went to the old premises of P.E.; he was surprised to find it locked. He saw a notice which gave the new address of the company; he didn’t understand when and why the change was made. He was furious that the change occurred without his knowledge or consent. He rushed to the new premises and tried to dash into CEO’s office. Noep who was at the entrance intervened and said “The CEO is busy; do you have an appointment sir?”

        R: Who the devil are you to stop me from entering my own room??

He pushed Noep out of his way and forced his entry into the room. Trying to catch up with him, Noep also entered. Raknas was stunned to see the changed person of Arohga but soon recovered. Arohga who was sitting in the CEO’s seat looked at them and said “It is alright, Noep, please let him in; you have not met him earlier. He is our Managing Director, Mr.Raknas.”

N: I am sorry sir; I didn’t know who you were.

A: That’s alright Noep; you may go now. (Turning to Raknas) Please take your seat Mr.Raknas!

Raknas angrily dropped into the chair shown as he thundered “What is all this, Arohga??”

A: (Coolly) Reality.

R: (In the same tone) What?

A: Cool down Mr.Raknas! Before you left for Wazit, you gave me a momentous sermon… I have decided to put it into operation; that’s all!

R: (Astonished) What sermon?

A: Your words are still ringing in my ears. Really, you enlightened me with the secret of success.

R: Did I??

A: I can’t believe that your memory is so poor… I will repeat your advice to me. You said “Our only concern should be to make a profit from every deal by hook or by crook. Promises made, morality or consideration for public benefit should not cloud our vision or block our actions… You should take care only to be out of law’s reach.”

Raknas became speechless and motionless.

A: You called me inefficient and felt that I was useless. I wanted to dispel your misconception and establish myself… According to our original agreement, I am the owner and CEO of P.E.; I have made the changes that I felt were necessary. You will receive the same salary and enjoy the same perks assigned to the MD. A list of MD’s duties and responsibilities and the details of the staff who work under the MD are placed on MD’s table. Let me also tell you a few other things. As I promised you, I am going to win for P.E. the contract worth two million Suris dollars for the construction of a dam across river Saras. This shall be done by my team without any assistance or interference from you, Inukas or anyone else of your present or previous staff… Please remain within the boundaries indicated for you.

Raknas continued to remain like a frozen statue in the chair. After a while, Arohga called Noep in and said “Please escort Mr.Raknas to the new room for the MD.”