Incentives

by Steve Fairweather

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As I watched the back of the LeSabre fade into the distance I realized it was probably for the best.

I managed to convince her that I could make a clean break after the development phase was over. The Coalition of Nefarious Distinction was handing out its annual awards and both GlobTrak and BioWeps were vying for the title of “Most Devastating Mass Extinction Technology in a Supporting Role”. All this would blow over in a couple of weeks after the voting closes. If BioWeps wanted to play dirty, I’d just have to deal with it.

After all, I couldn’t just give my two week notice. If I did they’d ask if I’d rather be locked in my office or held at gunpoint all day. I certainly didn’t want that and (believe it or not) neither did GlobTrak.

That’s the thing the movies always got wrong. Staring down the business end of a Soviet made PPSh-41 Submachine Gun was lousy motivation. Even super villains understand that people work much harder for a 401k and 4 weeks paid vacation.

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. Incentives

    Steve Fairweather's Buddy Icon Steve Fairweather

    Posted about 1 month ago

    Concluded the idea John had of getting the family out of the picture. We can always just pull that string later on if we like, maybe have them get abducted along with his mother in-law (which causes him no small bit of joy).

    I left it kind of open so Ridcully could get us started on a fresh heading.

  2. Incentives

    THX 0477's Buddy Icon THX 0477

    Posted about 1 month ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I thought this was a nice thoughtful pause in the action with some believable musing about motivation.

  3. Incentives

    John Perkins' Buddy Icon John Perkins

    Posted about 1 month ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Very nice. I echo THX ’s comments about the motivation. I liked the realistic look at how little motivation having a gun shoved in your face can be. Plus the awards ceremony. The whole idea of a nefarious super villain enterprise being a normal company is more interesting than the familial threats that I brought in earlier.
    Kind of reminds me of the Simpsons episode where Homer goes to work for Hank Scorpio. One of my favorites.

  4. Incentives

    Steve Fairweather's Buddy Icon Steve Fairweather

    Posted about 1 month ago

    I’d be lying if I said that “You Only Move Twice” (that Simpsons episode) didn’t inspire me a little bit when I first tossed out the evil corporation idea from Ridcully’s setup. I think it’s fascinating when you shine a little light on the type of people that might work for a super villain. Homer does it unknowingly, so it’s fun to explore our man Phil who knows full well what he’s involved in.

  5. Incentives

    Ridcully Calvert's Buddy Icon Ridcully Calvert

    Posted about 1 month ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I really liked this one. A nice natural close to the family angle, and a nice lead-in for the action to come…

  6. Incentives

    Ridcully Calvert's Buddy Icon Ridcully Calvert

    Posted about 1 month ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Oh yes, and such an awesome choice of car – a LeSabre fits perfectly

  7. Incentives

    thebetweenspace's Buddy Icon thebetweenspace

    Posted 13 days ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Yes, I love the little bit about how a 401k and 4 weeks of vacation is a better motivator than being held at gunpoint.

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