Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2015 4:11:53 GMT
DATE: December 11th
LOCATION: LexCorp Headquarters, Metropolis
TIME: 11:30AM
Naturally a morning person Match was as always one of the first to arrive at the office much like Lex and well it was expected of him. It was a form of weakness not to be a 'morning' person; for if one cannot be strong enough to rise with the sun and meet the day with the intent to conquer it, -if one can't even conquer their own sleepiness- then one was weak and Lex Luthor did not suffer his adopted son to be weak and Match was far from weak. It wasn't just his physique or his abilities that his father wanted strength in but in character and in will as well. When matched with wit, strength of character and will can be just as effective as smashing things down with physical strength and if you didn't have to smash, why waste the energy? There are plenty of ways in which to conquer and his adopted father was showing him the many ways to do it. Case and point, Lex had made Match study 'The Art of War' and he utilized its applications not just in actual battles but in business as well for business and commerce was in and of itself a battle field of sorts; a war of profits and loss.
'Generally in war, the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this….For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.' Sun Tzu, a military strategist whose wisdom and strategies have transcended time, cultures and peoples
Sun Tzu calls this the need to 'win-all-without-fighting' and Lex had given Match a particular task. Since the goal of your business is to survive and prosper, you must capture your market. However, you must do so in such a way that your market is not destroyed in the process. A company can do this in several ways, such as attacking parts of the market that are under-served or by using subtle, indirect, and low-key approach that will not draw a competitor’s attention or response. What should be avoided at all costs is a price-war. Research has shown that price attacks draw the quickest and most aggressive responses from competitors, as well as leaving the market drained of profits.
"This is outrageous!" the man across from him riled, red with anger and embarrassment for letting a 'young punk' as he had put it earlier dictate the field, but that was what happened when one underestimated a Luthor.
"No actually it's purely business. You had refused our offer so we went to your competitor who was more than happy to accept our money. We put in a lot of money behind your rival's R&D and quite frankly it paid dividends." Match spoke calmly, fingers steepled and lips pressed behind in an almost contemplative manner. "You would be wise to save yourself a lot of trouble and just sell. Your company would prosper under the branch of Luthor Corps."
"Convenient and insulting of you to be proposing this." the man sneered even if Match kept his emotions and temper in check. It truly was grating to have this crabby old piss pot railing about the injustice of his current situation.
"We are all buried under a black fog of partisanship and self-promotion, let's not fool ourselves otherwise. Business is business after all. It's not personal."
"You can shove that contract up your smug little silver spooned --" the man started to speak telling him off when Match interjected with the proverbial nail to seal the man's coffin. The one thing he'd been leaning on and relying on.
"Oh and I almost forgot. That 'Hail Mary' you were hoping for to block that bill from passing..." Match grinned deviously. "There will be no vote tonight and our good Senator will head back to the conference chairman and have that bill reopened. And once it passes, your company will be unable to acquire any further overseas resources. "
"You smug son of a bitch! You have dirty politicians in your pocket too?"
"I'd hardly say in my pocket. They just share the same vision. Like I said we all have to wade through the miasma of partisanship and self-promotion. We both played the game, I just played it better."
"Do you know how many people will be left unemployed when my company goes under? Do you realize what you've done?"
"That's not on me." Match answered evenly. "That's all on you. Had you taken our more than generous offer, all of these unnecessary unpleasantries could have been avoided."
"And what become one of you? I'd rather die." the man replied vehemently.
"Well, your company will at any rate." Match said as he stood up, tired of the tediousness of the process. "If you truly care about all those employees you mentioned than do the right thing, don't let pride get in the way of your better judgement. You know the best recourse for you to take in this."
"You mean the only recourse don't you?"
"No, you have a choice. A chance to do the right thing." Match pushed the papers towards the man with a rather expensive Mont Blanc pen upon the pages should the man decide to sign.
And after a long and silent pause in which Match did not speak or move, rather observed. After all that was said and done Luthor Corps attained controlling interest in the company. And all felt right in the world as Match watched the man and his litany of lawyers filter out of the office, leaving him to sit back and stare out at the vast view of the cityscape.
'For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.' he thought remembering the words of Sun Tzu being spoken by his adopted father; words of wisdom he kept and learned.
There are few times where he could say that he'd made his 'father' proud but he liked to think that this little coupe would put him one step closer. Cut the muscle formed 'meathead' a bit of slack, he had brains behind the brawn. Sitting back in his chair he luxuriated in the brief moment of victory.
He liked the quiet solitude of his office as the sun would just crest over the horizon and slowly peel away the layers of grey that draped over the city lazily trying to wake. The view from his office was an enviable thing and also a thing to behold. Match liked to look out at the city from his office as his had the second best view; a secret indulgence of his in, he could appreciate the serenity of Metropolis from his vantage.
Then a half hour later came the irritating buzz of his phone's intercom disturbing the peace and serenity of his 'Zen'.
"Mr Luthor sir, your 11:30 has arrived. Mr Kent from the Daily Planet."
He wanted to sigh, but every bone in his being told him not to give in to the temptation to show weakness; to show his dislike of having to pay lip service to the press. Still it was another of his father's requirements; the expectation to handle the media and win them to your side.
"Yes of course, Donna, thank you." Match answered rather cordially, having no hint of displeasure even if his brow furrowed with displeasure, but the look was fleeting as he put on his 'game face'. "Send him in."
Adjusting his suit and allowing himself to look presentable, Match waited for the double doors to be opened and Donna usher in the reporter from the Daily Planet. Even with the influence of Luthor in his style of expensive tailored suits and demeanor, there was no mistaking what his youthful face looked like.
