Chapter 3 Meet Carson

The next day business magazines and newspapers flooded with news and praises about the revolutionary step taken by Carson Campbell, the Johnson industries CEO and his efforts to protect nature from pollution.

Carson was having his breakfast when the maid Julia came to him fiddling with her fingers. "Come on say it Julia, what do you need?" Carson asked her affectionately like a brother towards a younger sister.

Julia is a refugee, her family was one among the many families who eloped to Central America during the war break. When she was a child in rags begging for food, Carson brought her home, gave shelter and even provided funds for her education. Since that day, Julia has worked as a maid and cook in the house while doing her studies and staying in Johnson's employee quarters.

"Sir, the residents of the village whom you protected by stopping the factory construction of Silicon Mills have been waiting outside to meet you since yesterday afternoon. The security are trying to drive them away but they are heavily bent on seeing you to convey their gratitude."

Carson got up from the dining chair at once. "Why wasn't I informed about this yesterday?" He left his breakfast on the table and reached the entrance of the mansion.

Around 1000 people old and young were waiting for him in front of his home with eager eyes. The security was trying to drive them away but when they heard the leader's voice the happiness radiating from their orbs was unmatched and peerless like the moon glowing in the night sky.

"Allow them inside." Carson called the security. At once several groups raced towards the manor like a sudden outpour of rain. "Sir, good morning! I'm the village head." A man came forward from the crowd with folded arms and eyes filled with reverence like one sees the cross in a church.

"I stopped my people and tried to convince them that I will represent their gratitude to you but they were not satisfied. They wanted to see their seraph who safeguarded them from the successors of egregious with their own eyes."

Carson looked at each one of them, some of them were happy, some with fondness and some with free flowing tears of gratefulness. "May God give you a long life son with many years of health, happiness and cheerfulness." An old crippled woman came forward holding a stick.

The joy of Carson to know he was in the prayers of so many people was unrivaled and incomparable. He felt one among them and hugged the patriarch in an inimitable felicity. In a gesture, he instructed one of his security to bring a chair and helped the beldam to it. "Mother, I'm like your child. You do not have to thank me. I only did it as my duty, as your son, the one among you all."

The crowd began to sing slogans of Carson's name, for the victory of justice over the sin. "Everybody is money hungry sir, nobody thinks about the poor and their lives. You are our Hermes." A young woman who stood in the middle of the crowd shouted for her voice to reach him.

"On this auspicious occasion of securing the peace of our lives, we have organized a celebration. A fair this weekend. We want to invite you with your family, sir.." The village head called.

"I will surely arrive there with my family." Carson promised the villagers who returned to their homes with delight and ecstasy.

Carson Campbell is not just a businessman. He is a renaissance in the history of mankind. People needed a hero and that's what he became, a saint to win over the sin. One phone call and he is on his way leaving his millions worth business meetings to save humanity. Carson is not just a name but a slogan, a watchword to be taken with virtue and a mantra born to end the evil in humankind.

Reaching back to the dining table he received a call and seeing the name on the screen his smile stretched from ear to ear. "Mom, good morning!"

"Good Morning son, you shine on every newspaper and all TV channels like a star. I am very proud of you, proud to be called the mother of Carson Campbell." Her happiness was like a boundless sky reaching all corners of the world.

"Please wait, your dad wants to talk to you." Carson could hear strong legs in long strides hitting the concrete floor.

Carson's father Graham Campbell set up Johnson industries in the early 1960's. Since that time the company has been steadily expanding, spreading to a diverse range of businesses. After Carson took over the business seven years ago soon after completing his post graduation in Princeton University, Graham had only one thing to teach his son - walk the path of justice and God will be in favor of you. When evil knocks at your door, do not hesitate to teach wickedness a lesson.

"Congratulations son, I'm very happy to note your achievements. Always take the path of righteousness and one day you will reign this complete world." Carson could hear his mother hinting his father of something.

"And by the way son, your mother wants to invite you to dinner tonight. She says, ``If she asks, you will postpone it by giving excuses, so she wants me to invite you." Carson could hear the usual Tom and Jerry fight between his parents which was surely going to last not less than an hour.

"Okay dad, I will be at your home tonight at eight." Carson shook his head in smiles and cut the call.

"Is somebody making dinner plans without me?" There was a soft voice reaching his ears from the entrance. "You rock my grand master, like a panjandrum you conquer the world with your goodness and probity."

"Stephanie?"