The Story of Greed

By Dominick Menefee

Some people in this world want more of what they don't need. Others crave things that they wish they had. This is the meaning of greed. It can cause the destruction of communities, other nations, and even the lives of those who stand in the way of their greed. That is what Markus Rich craves, and anyone who stands in his way shall pay the ultimate price with their lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781638600497

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The Story of Greed

Dominick Menefee

Copyright © 2021 Dominick Menefee

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books, Inc.

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2021

ISBN 978-1-63860-048-0 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63860-049-7 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Greed , one of the seven deadly sins. There are those that do not have anything and want more of what they do not have. And then, there are those that have a lot and want more of what they do not need. This is the story of one of those kinds of people. This is the story of Markus Rich.

There once was a man named Markus Rich. He was a noticeably short, fat man whose face looked mean as a bull. He was not a very smart man, but he certainly was no fool. His hair was black as night and had a long white streak in the center. When he walked past bush hedges, people mistook him for a skunk. But despite his appearance, Mr. Rich was the wealthiest man in town. His family made their fortune in oil and railroading, but Markus expanded upon, that he owns three of the biggest clothing stores in town. Filled with fur coats, mink coats, pearl necklaces, and lots of diamonds, and he also owned lots of silver. But there was one thing that Markus wanted that he had a hard time possessing: gold!

We start our story in 1912, Vernon, California. Markus Rich was riding into town in his horse carriage. Some of the people waved and said hello to him. Others, who knew who he was, would spit and curse under their breath when they saw him. He got out of his carriage which was next to his favorite merchant shop. The merchant’s name was Nicolas. Now, Nicolas was Markus’s favorite merchant. He helped Markus acquire all his items pearls, expensive coats, all kinds of fur coats, diamonds, and even silvers. The two shook hands.

Markus, how are you, my old friend? Nicolas said.

Well, you know, could be better. Lost ten workers last week from a landslide. Bad business that was, Markus said.

Well, sorry to hear that, but I got a good one for you. A treasure chest full of gold that was stolen by some old outlaws, Nicolas said.

Really? Where is this chest full of gold? Markus asked.

Somewhere they knew no one could reach it. The outlaws were caught and hanged, but they left a map to find their goods. But as you know, they never got to it. Now, I got the map, and I’ll give it to you for a price. Name your price, Nicolas said. Markus closed his eyes and thought of a price.

Two hundred dollars and not a penny less. Nicolas made a sour face but in the end, he agreed on the deal.

Fine. You have yourself a deal.

Markus pulled out his bag and gave Nicolas the money. Nicolas took the cash and counted it. He looked at Markus and stood up.

A pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Rich. The two shook hands, and Markus took the map and got in his carriage.

Driver, take me home.

Markus sat in his large drawing room reading over the map he got from Nicolas.

This will be a long quest, he said to himself. I cannot make this journey on my own. I will need assistance, but where could I find help? My workers will not come after that landslide mess.

Would you like some tea, sir? Nigel said.

No, thank you, Nigel, Markus said.

Nigel had been Markus’s butler for twenty years, serving him hand and foot. In the mornings, he would dress him, bath him, serve his meals, and at night, he would get him ready for bed. Nigel was one of the few people that liked Markus, despite the way he treats other staff and his bad reputation in town.

I see you have a map, sir. Did you acquire that from that merchant in town? Nigel asked.

Yes, I did. This map will lead me to a treasure chest full of gold that was stolen by some outlaws a few years ago. The problem is, now, I need to figure out how to get help in getting the gold.

Maybe you could go to the outskirts of town and get some people there to help you. Their dock workers and a lot of other poor folks would be happy to help, for a price that is, Nigel said.

Well, I do not want to pay them but maybe, if I could convince some men that they could strike it rush. Maybe that would get them to join me on my quest, Markus said with a big grin on his face.

I know that there is a rundown old bar on that side of town. You might want to go there to get some help, Nigel said.

"Yes, that might be a good place to start looking, but there is a problem. I do not have any clothes to look the part. All my clothes are too