Opinions Differ

Syntha looked up as the door to the coffeehouse opened and smiled when Demenik entered. She strode over and gave him a kiss and hug, waving one hand as people at nearby tables made exaggerated kissing noises.

"Good morning, beautiful."

"Hello, handsome. Arkell got here a few minutes ago. He's over in the corner."

"Is he eating?"

"I offered to buy him breakfast, but he refused."

"He always refuses. Can you send a couple of sweet rolls over when you get a chance, please?"

"Of course." She took a step towards the counter and grabbed a mug of fresh-poured coffee as it was set down by one of the employees. "Here." Syntha took a sip and then held it out to Demenik. "It's just how you like it."

"Perfect?"

She smiled. "Just like your girlfriend, yes."

Demenik saw Arkell and made his way to the food vendor's table. "Good morning, my friend. I hope I did not impose on your business by asking you to meet on such short notice."

Arkell smiled and shook hands with Demenik as he sat down. "No imposition at all, Demenik. My youngest son is old enough to do most of the work now and it is good for everyone when I leave the store for a few hours."

"Business is good?"

"Better than ever." Arkell smiled. "Your patronage helps me to buy more volume and get better prices for the other customers. I am grateful that we happened to meet each other on that morning so many years ago."

"As am I, Arkell. We have both come a long way since then, have we not?"

"I am the same man, only busier." Arkell sipped his coffee. "And you've managed to make quite the name for yourself."

"You say that as if it is a bad thing."

"The profession you have chosen, moneylender, is not an honourable one."

"I am not like the rest of the moneylenders out there."

Arkell shrugged. "Maybe, but the result is still the same."

"Your tone does not sound judging, although the words certainly do."

"None of us are noble men, Demenik. I do not judge you, I'm simply stating a fact. Society does not look well on moneylenders."

"Perhaps someday they will."

A harsh bark of laughter escaped from Arkell's mouth. He caught himself and reached forward to tap Demenik on the arm. "I did not mean to offend, but moneylending will never be an honourable profession."

"What makes you say that?"

"You buy people. Turn them into slaves. Slave owner is another profession that is very lucrative, but it will never be honourable either."

Demenik chuckled and shook his head. "I disagree with you on this point, old friend. I know slavery as well as the next person. Slaves are people ripped from their homes and countries, taken far away where they are forced to work for no wage and do exactly as they are told upon threat of physical violence, starvation, or death."

Arkell nodded.

"That is not what I do."

"You don't abduct people and rip them from their homelands. Instead, they come to you of their own free will. Like flies to honey, they approach and ask for money. Which you give to them, for a price."

"That is how the business works. They ask for my money and, if I like the risks, then I agree to give it to them for a time. Many use the money to help themselves. Slaves could never hope to be free or do better. My loans offer that opportunity for people who would otherwise not have a chance to do more."

"Most do not use the money for good purpose."

Demenik shrugged. "What they do with it is their concern. If they want to spend it on women, alcohol, gamble it away, or do any number of things with it, I don't care. As long as they pay me back."

"With interest."

"Of course." Demenik grinned. "Everything has a price."

Arkell took a drink of coffee and looked at a picture hanging on the wall beside them.

"Listen. I do not make people good or evil. It isn't my responsibility to save the world. My obligation is the same as every other individual born into this life: to be the best version of myself that I possibly can." Demenik leaned back and spread his hands, raising his shoulders and eyebrows. "If I capitalize on what already exists in our world, fear, weakness, greed, and a myriad of other weaknesses, does that make me the problem and cause of these things? Of course not. Using your analogy, people are already slaves. I am simply offering them the opportunity to be slaves who enjoy life somewhat more than they would be able to without my help."

Arkell looked at Demenik and shook his head. "I care about you, Demenik, and I am grateful for our relationship, but on this our opinions differ. I do not feel the same way as you, and I never will."

"That is entirely your right." Demenik finished his coffee and stood. "All of us are slaves to commerce and our station in life. If you don't agree, then stop selling your merchandise and see how life goes for you."

Arkell opened his mouth to say something, but Demenik reached out and grasped the man by the shoulder. "It was good to see you again. I will come by next week and bring treats for your new granddaughter."

Arkell nodded. "I look forward to your visit."

***

Demenik exited the coffeehouse and made his way down the street. After walking a block, he looked to his left and saw Mouse walking alongside.

"How did it go?" Mouse asked.

"As you said it would."

"I'm sorry."

"That's okay. I had to try." Demenik reached into his coat pocket and withdrew an envelope with Arkell's name written on it in calligraphy. He handed it to Mouse. "Burn this for me. Arkell will not be invited to the meeting tonight."

"Just the five of us, then?"

Demenik chuckled. "Good guess. Yes. Just the five of us."

"Want to tell me what this meeting is about?"

"No, Mouse. You'll have to wait and see. Just like everyone else."