Apocalypse Drift Read Online Free Page B

continually lowered their rates to win new business.
    At the time, Wyatt believed he’d seen it all before. This wasn’t the first economic downturn he had steered his little company through, and it wouldn’t be the last. He had navigated these choppy waters and was familiar with them. He controlled expenses, reduced staff, and cut benefits. No matter how tightly he ran the ship, each month became more of a challenge to meet payroll and pay the bills. The business struggled to keep afloat, Wyatt and his family suffering as much as anyone on the payroll.
    It was the banks and government regulation that ultimately pushed the firm over the edge. Wyatt had used credit in the past to keep his business solvent during rough times. When new banking regulations were passed, the bar was raised for creditworthiness. Wyatt’s little company didn’t qualify with the new restrictions.
    In many respects, Wyatt felt as if the business were one of his children. Like any parent with a dying child, he pulled out all the stops. The family’s life savings, college funds, IRAs – everything went back into the company, hoping to keep it buoyant until things got better. It wasn’t enough. Wyatt fought like a cornered tiger, but nothing worked. Over a four-day period, he visited 16 different banks with a financing proposal and business plan in hand. He borrowed money from relatives, friends, and anyone else who he thought could help. Despite all his efforts, cash flow continued its downward spiral.
    The business still had customers, but not enough of them paid on time. A true numbers man, Wyatt recognized that if only his accounts receivable were current, his business would be flourishing. The firm doubled its collection efforts, diverting resources from other departments to assist in the effort. But like a struggling momma bird flying back to the nest with a scrawny little worm, it just wasn’t enough for all the hungry beaks.
    The final blow came on a fateful Tuesday afternoon. He returned from lunch and noticed the few remaining employees standing outside of the company’s office building. The bank had arrived with a sheriff’s deputy. They had changed the locks.
    His initial reaction was actually relief. It was finally over. No more stalking the postman every day to see if a client’s promised payment had arrived. No more employee meetings to tell struggling co-workers that paychecks were going to be late. No more worrying whether the power failure was due to the volatile thunderstorm or the utility company fed up with not being paid on time. No more business.
    Most people expected Wyatt’s reaction to the repossession to be fiery, an emotional protest. Everyone waited, anticipating he would explode like a bursting balloon. When the bank’s vice president explained his position, Wyatt stood motionless, paralyzed by the news. After a few moments, his shoulders slumped, and he sauntered slowly back to his car without another word. The bank’s needle had little effect on the balloon that was already leaking air. 
    After regrouping from the shock of the foreclosure, Wyatt acted on what he considered to be the only avenue left - the last glimmer of hope. A larger firm had been considering acquiring Wyatt’s business. He still had a few loyal customers and some revenue. What little value was left in his company wasn’t big money by any measure. Still, his remaining employees would have a job, and Wyatt would receive a paycheck for at least a year during the transition.
    The potential buyer was at the stage of raising financing. The partners in the firm had been waiting on an answer from their bank. Today’s news regarding interest rates wasn’t good. Deep down inside, Wyatt knew that radio report just changed his future.

 
    Minister Hong was in a foul mood. The chicken served at lunch was stringy and tasteless, and the tea was tepid at best. When the politburo appointed him as MOSS’ headman two years ago, he had humbly accepted