Sell: A Novel

EXPOSITION: We see our main character – a financial analyst on a cable television show that is designed to both inform and entertain – provide the latest information about the stock market. The economy has begun to nosedive after a series of poor long-term decisions by money-hungry executives have left multiple companies in multiple industries destitute. [Keller?] then gives his predictions for the market's future and whether or not his viewers should buy or sell stock. Keller professes his belief that a major corporation will be an oddity in this bear market by returning record profits over the next quarter. He repeats himself.

BACKGROUND: Keller never thought he'd be a financial analyst. We discover that he instead wanted to be an evolutionary biologist, largely in herpetology. We also see where his dreams began to take a back seat, where Plan A becomes Plan B, C, D.

ACTION/DEVELOPMENT: Keller deals with coworkers at his first job. When the opportunity presents itself, he seizes it, which also leads to the dismissal of the other members of his team, which worked on lobbying the government for studying human encroachment on amphibian habitats. As a result of this incident, Keller becomes the CEO of the research center. As required by his new position, Keller must interact with the higher-ups in the industry. He follows trends and looks for opportunities to obtain greater funds. He becomes skilled at persuading his representatives in Congress that herpetology research is more than funding the construction of a multi-million dollar bridge to a town inhabited by 50. His success leads executives at a cable finance network to hire him as an analyst on financial trends.

CONFLICT: We return to Keller's prediction. He was wrong. Thousands lose money as stock for the company sells now for $2 each. Media investigations, questioning, interviews ensue. People are angry, some on the Internet calling for Keller's head. A satirist uses the scandal to fill an easy ten minutes of programming. Keller is eventually compelled to confront him on the fake news show.

CRISIS: Keller is put in his place by the comedian. He goes home and reflects on his past, his dreams, his hopes for the earth: humanity, the plants and animals on it, and the well-being of the planet itself. Keller looks to where he could have gone wrong: a Wikipedia page shows that the company for which he advocated viewers to buy stock from has been accused of ignoring state laws that forbid construction on wetlands. This has even lead Fish and Wildlife Services to place a specific species of frog on the critically endangered species list; few exist outside of zoos.

RESOLUTION: Suicide? A change of heart? A public apology on air? A return to his ways because they earn him a gratuitous amount of money?

DreamBlog

I get driven to a huge parking deck in a slick limousine. It's twilight, and the sky has painted the world in a warm, orange glow. I step out and walk around the massive complex, but realize that, because I so hastily driven here, I only have one pair of shoes with me - a problem if I'm to be here for a while, which was wholly intended. I begin to walk back down when I notice a couple walking into a room, and I follow them.

They room is carpeted and swathed in bright colors and props. Right, I was at the movie studio because I was being cast. In the room to the left, I meet Joe Biden. We shake hands and I congratulate him, though worry about the relative closeness of the popular vote. He laughs about people he's met on the campaign trail, complete with a classic Biden expression.

I then get dressed up for my big role: Solid Snake (spurred, probably, by this news story). Mario, Link (I think), and I are discussing international politics, but I keep flubbing my lines. Mario has to predictably cheerful and safe for his intended demographic.

We're in some sort of cabana, where the far end is completely open to the sunset and shoreline. To the left of that is a bar, and scattered around are some tables. To the back is a fireplace and a raised platform.

Something goes wrong, however, and Link (?) goes berserk and attacks us. I jump to the side to avoid him, but Mario defeats him, as he throws him against the sides of the wall. To win, he says, I have to kill him before the timer ends. Using a whip (?), I send him out of bounds at the last second. We smile and walk off the set.

Breakfast

The election is a lot like this bowl of Chocolate Chex, in that the brown chex are so much better than that plain, white ones. Also, Obama is covered in a delicious cocoa powder while McCain is dry and bland - obviously a commentary on foreign policy.