Our story concludes.
"So," said the shadowy Associate, "can I count on all of you to have a change of heart, pay us a living wage, and give us back our holidays with our families?"
There was a moment of silence in the darkened boardroom. Then a voice rang out -- it might have been the salesman, or the Chairman, or the CEO -- and answered in a booming voice.
"Nah," he said.
"I don't think so," another voice said.
"Stop bringing us down," someone else chimed in. "We have parties to attend."
The figure shook its head in disbelief. "You're supposed to become somber," it said, "and have a change of heart."
"No way," said the executives and Board members.
"But it worked for Scrooge."
"Scrooge!" scoffed the CEO. "We're more bottom-line driven than that sentimental old softie. And he had to look his employees in the eye. We don't... not usually."
"Well, if all this human suffering doesn't make you somber," said the silhouette in the doorway, "maybe this will." The silhouetted figure drew itself up to a full and commanding height.
"Walmart workers and their supporters will be demonstrating at Walmart stores on Black Friday. We're taking charge of our own destinies, like generations of workers have done before us."
A gasp arose in the boardroom as the figure vanished into the November night, its final words lingering in the crisp boardroom air:
"Look for us at Friday's demonstrations. It's going to be a pretty high energy day for us."
(For more information on Walmart workers, see OURWalmart.org. Go here to find a Black Friday demonstration near you.)
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