Walter

Zachary Brown
8 min readFeb 11, 2023

--

Walter woke up to the sound of rain tapping against the window. He opened his eyes, turned his head and saw his partner, Henry, lying next to him, fast asleep. He smiled, feeling grateful for having such a loving partner by his side. He took a deep breath, stretched his arms and got out of bed.

He went to the bathroom and splashed some water on his face. He looked at himself in the mirror and thought about his life. He was in his late 40s, a successful politician, and a well-educated man. He had studied philosophy and economics at a prestigious university, and he was proud of his achievements.

Walter was pro-capitalism and believed in the power of the market to drive economic growth. He was also openly gay, a rarity in the political world, but he didn’t let that stop him from pursuing his goals. He was a charismatic speaker and a shrewd negotiator, skills that had helped him climb the ranks in the political arena.

But despite his success, Walter had a dark side. He was corrupt and immoral, willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wanted. He had a long list of secrets, and he was always looking over his shoulder, afraid of being caught.

He shook his head and frowned. He didn’t want to think about his mistakes. He had a busy day ahead of him, and he needed to focus on his work. He went back to the bedroom and got dressed. He kissed Henry goodbye and left the apartment, heading to the office.

As he walked down the street, he wondered what the future held for him. He was at the top of his game, but he knew that his power and influence were fragile. He was always one step away from being exposed, and he didn’t know how much longer he could keep up the charade.

But for now, he was determined to keep moving forward, to keep climbing higher, no matter what the cost. He was Walter, a successful politician, a man of power and influence, and he wasn’t about to let anyone stand in his way.

Walter walked down the busy street in the heart of the city. It was 2040, and the world had changed dramatically since his youth. The buildings were taller, the cars were sleeker, and the technology was more advanced. He lived in an upper-class urban area, surrounded by the trappings of success.

As he walked, he passed a school. He glanced at the children playing in the yard and wondered about their futures. What kind of world would they inherit? What challenges would they face? He hoped that they would live in a world that was kinder and more accepting than the one he grew up in.

His thoughts then drifted to his own childhood. He remembered the years he spent in high school, being bullied for being effeminate. He had struggled to fit in, to find his place in a world that didn’t understand him. But he was proud of how far society had come since then. There was still work to be done, but the progress that had been made was remarkable.

Walter thought about the current generation of young people, who were growing up in a world that was much more accepting of diversity. He was glad that they wouldn’t have to face the same struggles that he had. He was glad that they would have a brighter future.

As he continued on his way to the office, Walter felt a sense of pride and hope. He was proud of the progress that had been made and grateful for the opportunities that he had been given. He knew that there was still work to be done, but he was confident that the future would be bright for all of us, no matter who we are or where we come from.

As Walter approached his office, he said hello to a few of his coworkers. They complimented his new suit, a sleek navy number that fit him like a glove. He smiled, but a sliver of guilt ran through him as he thought about the bribes he had taken to buy it. He pushed the thought aside and continued on to his office.

He was just getting into some gossip about the opposing political faction when a “client” approached him. The man was a wealthy businessman, and he wanted to make sure that they were on track to have several pieces of financial regulation removed. Walter nodded, assuring the man that everything was going according to plan.

The financial regulation in question dealt with reporting standards. The current rules required companies to disclose a wide range of information to the public, including their financial statements and details about their operations. The regulations were designed to promote transparency and accountability, but many business owners felt that they were burdensome and stifled growth.

Walter and the businessman discussed their plans to have the reporting standards weakened or removed altogether. They talked about the political landscape, the key players, and the strategies they would use to get the regulation changed. Walter listened attentively, making mental notes and calculating the risks and rewards of each potential move.

He was confident that he could get the regulation removed. He had the connections, the experience, and the charm to make it happen. But as he listened to the businessman, he felt a twinge of unease. He knew that what he was doing was wrong, that he was playing with fire. He wondered how long he could keep up the act, how long he could keep his secrets hidden.

But then the businessman smiled, and Walter smiled back. He pushed his doubts aside and focused on the task at hand. He was Walter, a successful politician, and he wasn’t about to let anything stand in his way.

Walter’s journey to becoming a pro-capitalist politician started with his father. His father was a successful business owner, but one day, he was caught by the law for breaking regulations. The punishment was harsh and swift. The business was seized, and his father was sentenced to prison for several years.

Growing up, Walter watched as his father struggled to rebuild his life after being released from prison. He saw how the punishment had taken its toll on his father, both financially and emotionally. The experience had a profound impact on Walter, shaping his views on business, the law, and capitalism.

Despite the challenges, Walter’s father never lost his entrepreneurial spirit. He continued to work hard, building his business back up from the ground up. Walter was inspired by his father’s determination and resilience. He saw how capitalism could create opportunities and drive growth, even in the face of adversity.

As Walter grew older, he became more and more interested in politics. He saw the power of the law to shape people’s lives, for better or for worse. He was determined to use his voice to promote policies that would help people like his father, people who were trying to make a better life for themselves and their families.

Walter’s father’s experience had given him a unique perspective on capitalism and the law. He saw that the system could be harsh, that it could punish people unjustly. But he also saw its potential to create wealth and improve lives. He became a vocal advocate for pro-capitalism policies, using his platform to promote the benefits of a free market and the importance of reducing regulation.

Despite the criticism he faced, Walter never wavered in his beliefs. He was determined to make a difference, to help others achieve the same success that his father had.

As Walter climbed the ranks of politics, he became known for his unwavering commitment to pro-capitalism policies. He was instrumental in removing several regulations that were seen as hindrances to business growth. However, one of these regulations would have far-reaching consequences for working-class people across town.

The regulation in question dealt with financial safety nets for workers. It required companies to provide a certain level of benefits, such as health insurance and severance packages, to their employees. The regulations were designed to protect workers in the event of job loss or other financial hardships.

Walter, however, saw these regulations as burdensome and unnecessary. He argued that companies should be free to make their own decisions about what benefits to offer their employees, and that the government shouldn’t interfere. Despite opposition from labor advocates and members of his own party, Walter pushed through the regulation’s removal.

At first, the change seemed to have little impact. Companies were free to offer whatever benefits they saw fit, and many chose to cut back on what they provided to their employees. But as the economy started to slow, more and more companies began to lay off workers. The workers who lost their jobs were left with few options, and many struggled to make ends meet.

The effects of the regulation’s removal were devastating. Communities across town were hit hard as people struggled to pay their bills and put food on the table. They had relied on the financial safety nets to help them through difficult times, but those safety nets were no longer there. The people who had been promised a better future were now facing financial ruin.

Walter was aware of the consequences of his actions, but he refused to admit that he was responsible. He continued to promote laissez faire policies, never acknowledging the pain and suffering that his decisions had caused. He was a corrupt and immoral politician, willing to do whatever it took to advance his own interests, even if it meant turning his back on those who needed him the most.

As Walter stepped out of the elevator and approached his desk, he shook off the memories of the past and focused on the present. It was time to start his day and tackle the tasks ahead of him.

He settled into his chair and powered on his computer, the soft hum of the machine filling the air. He checked his calendar and made a few notes on his to-do list. Then he reached for a file folder, flipping through the pages to review the day’s schedule.

As he worked, Walter’s thoughts drifted to the people who had come to him for help. He thought of the businessmen, the lobbyists, the wealthy donors who relied on him to push their agendas and protect their interests. He thought of the bribes he had taken, the favors he had granted, and the laws he had bent to get what he wanted.

But he didn’t dwell on it for long. He was a professional, and he had a job to do. He picked up the phone and dialed a number, ready to start making deals and negotiating compromises. He was Walter, the pro-capitalist politician, and he was in his element.

The day passed quickly as Walter moved from one meeting to the next, using his charisma and cunning to navigate the political landscape. He was a master of his craft, a manipulator of men, and a defender of capitalism. He was corrupt and immoral, but he was also effective, and that was what mattered.

As the sun began to set and the office started to empty, Walter gathered his things and made his way to the elevator. He was tired but satisfied, another day of work done. He had a lot to be proud of, a lot to be thankful for. He was Walter, the pro-capitalist politician, and he was ready for whatever came next.

--

--