A Crucifixion

That is the problem with modern life. Worth is measured in money, real or made up. if you don't have money then you are treated by society as a failure, you are nothing, you are rubbish.

You can be the greatest musician, writer, artist, carer, nurse, doctor, or engineer but if you do not have a healthy bank balance then those with money will destroy you.

They will take away everything that makes life possible, they will take away your house, your transport, your food, and your power leaving you homeless and destitute.

He had a good job, but he was paid a pittance and rent, food, and power meant that every month he was going deeper into debt and there was nothing that he could possibly do about it. Part of his contract stated he could not do any extra work, not even bar work, to supplement his income.

he was responsible for all the computers on the network of the bank that employed him, but every year there was no pay rise and he was told he had to do more for less. Unions were banned at his place because "they weren't needed and only caused trouble".

Even though his pay never went up, each year the bank announced record profits and there was always expensive champagne on the table at the end of the financial year party, and this year's was about to happen in two weeks.

Once a month he played the lottery but never won anything and knew the only certainty was the Lottery had your money in their pockets.

That night he was and home eating his microwaved TV dinner and there was a knock at the door. He put his meal down and went to the door, and there were two guys who looked like Jehovah's Witnesses with briefcases.

G1: "Excuse me, sorry to bother you, but you work at XXXX band and are responsible for their computers. Could we come in and talk to you about something important? We have a proposition for you that you may be interested in"

G2: "You have an opportunity to benefit substantially if you help us"

G1: "Just be quiet until we speak properly"

Him: "OK, yeah. I was just eating so it's a bit of a mess"

G1: "That's OK"

They all walked into his front room and sat down.

G1: "I am sure that you are aware that your bank is behind a lot of immoral practices which are actually made legal due to bribes they have made to certain right-wing MPs in the government. The head of the bank, who will be the focal point of interest at next week's end-of-year party is responsible for forcing repossessions, closing down and asset-stripping businesses and is behind several payday loan companies which target the poor with huge interest loans because the main bank won't countenance their business"

Him: "Yes I do, but I can't get a job elsewhere, and despite the money not being great it keeps me afloat"

G2: "But it doesn't does it? We know your financial situation and your debt is worsening every month".

Him: "So what was your proposition? I assume that you have some offer to make me for something or other"

G1: "We want you to plant some incriminating files on his computer. We have others who are going to incriminate politicians and other bankers and CEOs. When the files are in place the police will be informed and these people will be publicly arrested and the incriminating evidence passed to the media. This will be a public crucifixion of some of the worst members of society who use their power, position, privilege and money the hurt others. Can you do it?"

Him: "Well I can do it, no problem, but what is in it for me?"

G2: "We will pay you thirty thousand pounds, thirty pieces of silver. You will be our Judas Iscariot but the guy you will crucify is no Christ figure, he should be behind bars and when this is finished he will be and this country will be in a much better place"

Him: "When will I get the money? How will you give me the files?"

G1: "The files are on this flash drive. You will be paid three thousand pounds immediately and the balance once the crucifixion takes place when he is arrested at the end-of-year party"

He took the drive and they left. Then he checked his bank account. Three thousand pounds had been deposited from an account with no name and no number. That put his account into credit and made him feel better.

He didn't particularly like the management at the bank so had no qualms about arranging this crucifixion, he wasn't sure what the effect of the arrest would be, but thirty thousand in his account would see him through if he had to find a new job and kiss the bank goodbye.

The following day he planted the files as instructed, and then went about his normal work. It was now a case of waiting. He was too low down the pecking order to go to the party so it was just a case of waiting to see what happened.

That night he treated himself to a very expensive takeaway, enjoying his newfound thirty pieces of silver.

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Two weeks later it was all over, the bank manager and several politicians and CEO had been implicated in tax fraud, slavery and human trafficking. The party had been a literal crucifixion according to the right-wing press, these people had done nothing wrong but tried to make money.

He was thirty thousand pounds better off, and the bank was taken over by a hopefully more ethical group under government guidance. Policies were put in place to help those in financial difficulty and the payday loan companies closed down.

He didn't know who those men who came to see him were, but he was glad they did. When he checked his bank account there was no evidence of the deposits but the money was there.

So were they heaven-sent?

He didn't know but the world was a better place and there would be no resurrections for the moral criminals but this Judas Iscariot was in a good place.