“Congratulations! You are now part of a network that is growing daily into the most powerful force for personal transformation. What you have just seen is our weekly sales presentation,” he says pointing to the two-way mirror on the wall. “I hope you can help us improve our skills—and take away successful techniques to improve yours and those of your staff. Energy is my business, if you know what I mean. But I am always ultra-energized after an enrollment session. It is thrilling to see people turn their lives around right before my eyes. And to think it all starts with a sip of Atlas Energy Drink!”
“Zora and Albert, please join me up here,” Enrique continues. Extending his arm around Zora’s back and embracing her right shoulder, he says, “I’d like to introduce Zora Tremmon, who, as all of you know, created the computer and social network programs that link all of your centers. She literally holds Atlas Fitness together. Zora was born in the Corporate States, but her parents fled oppressive socialist regimes in Eastern Europe. They knew John Galt and Dagny Taggart personally and were among the first people to join New Atlantis. She’s as close to an apostle of Free-for-All economics as you’ll find anywhere.
“Albert, what can I say about Albert Swift that isn’t already being said around the world? He’s been on the cover of every leading business and science magazine. He’s the genius who created the Titan WholeBody Harmony Machine that has totally transformed mind-body alignment. Thanks to Albert, every man, woman, and child in the Corporate States can achieve physical and mental perfection. And soon, after we launch our international initiative, we’ll be able to say everyone around the world. On Saturday, June 4, the three of us were inducted into the Circle of Atlas at New Atlantis. It was a thrilling experience. We are proud to say that, by creating Atlas Fitness Centers and the revolutionary programs we—and all of you, of course—offer, we have become the major source of funding for New Atlantis. Through your efforts, we will continue to ensure the ongoing success of the Galtian Restoration and Free-for-All economics. It doesn’t get better than that.
“Now, I know that you’ve all seen headlines reporting what has been called ‘a fiasco’ at New Atlantis recently. Zora, Albert, and I were there when it happened. So, we can tell you firsthand that it was absolutely nothing. But as usual, the press is having a field-day repeating the slander that ‘John Galt is dead’ and saying that terrorists attacked New Atlantis. It’s just hype and even wishful thinking for some. But just look around! Look at the crowd that’s here because of yesterday’s ad! Look at how enthusiastic they are! They, we, all of us are living proof that John Galt lives! Let me assure you, it was nothing more than a childish prank. It’s been blown all out of proportion. We’ve been able to narrow down the suspects to two or three disgruntled former employees. We’re all in business. We know how one or two rotten apples can spoil things for a whole company. Well, soon enough, they’ll get everything they deserve. Professor Manfreed has assured me that he’s already launching a public relations effort that will overcome any negativity. Our enemies soon will discover they have tangled with the wrong opponent.
“A little later, all of you will have a chance to tour our facility. We are so proud of it, especially our Elite Services Suites. As headquarters, we hope to set the pace for all of you. Today’s meeting, the first of many that, I hope, brings us together throughout the year, is about expansion—and higher profits. We need to generate a 100 percent increase in net profit in the next six months to make New Atlantis stronger than ever. We’ve got to drug more of the world on Atlas Energy than ever before—for their good and ours. The recent unpleasantness at New Atlantis is nothing more than a blip on our radar screen, a minor attack. But we take nothing for granted or we’ll wake up one day only to discover that we’ve lost the war. And make no mistake about it: We are at war and we always will be. We need to be forever vigilant, on the offensive, taking action.
“So, let’s talk sales strategy, pure and simple. At this time, I’d like to introduce four irresistible members of our powerhouse staff. They are shining examples of what it takes to produce the best results at Atlas Fitness. Thor, Rick, Bambi, Cheryl, come up here and let the folks take a look at you. Display yourselves!” The audience applauds as they make their way to the front of the room. “Just feast your eyes, folks, and imagine that you are a prospective Atlas client. Could you resist falling in love with these four beauties? Yes, you heard me, I said ‘beauties’! Of course, you couldn’t! That’s the point! But I get ahead of myself. Now, I’ll let them tell you a little about how they sell themselves—and Atlas. Bambi, please begin.”
About 5‘7“, in her mid-twenties, with short blond hair, in a bikini, with her shoulders thrust back to accentuate the fullness and availability of her breasts, like a playful puppy, she bounces her words. “Hi, I’m Bambi. Just Bambi! Everyone knows me as just Bambi. Everyone calls me ‘The Enforcer.’ I’m the one who sees to it that everyone on our staff, and I mean everyone, stays within the physical standards outlined in your franchise manual—no deviations. To sell image, we’ve got to sell flesh. You know from your franchise manual that male staff must be no shorter than 5’11” and no taller than 6‘1“. They must maintain body fat between 14% and 17%. They may weigh no more than 190. Women must be no shorter than 5’6” and no taller than 5'8". They are allowed body fat of between 21% and 24% and can weigh no more than 125. They must have straight, white teeth, well-groomed nails, and clear skin. Everyone is tested daily to be sure they fall within the ranges. Any deviations and they are ‘off the floor,’ as we say, until they are corrected. Two violations in a two-week period are grounds for an automatic dismissal. No exceptions!”
Six feet tall, in his mid-twenties, tan, with red hair and a swimmer’s build, dressed in tight gym shorts and a tank top that accentuates his sculpted upper body, Thor removes the microphone from the podium so he can speak without anything between him and the audience. “Hi everyone,” he says smiling warmly, showing perfect rows of gleaming teeth. “My name is Thor Rentgen. They call me ‘Thor the Bore’ because I train our trainer-recruits and our staff— especially those who serve our elite clients. But I don’t take it personally. I’m the one who sees to it that they achieve maximum physical form and that they stay that way. It’s my job to see to it that everyone looks irresistible, so Bambi doesn’t read them the riot act and no one gets kicked out. Every one of us is an Atlas product. We are showcases for what our clients can be—and should want to be. We need to be living examples of the perfection everyone can achieve. We’ve always got to show our best. I create a personal physical development plan for everyone on our staff. They train at least an hour a day on the Titan WholeBody Harmony Machine and on special equipment available only to staff.”
“Hi, I’m Rick,” who walks up and down the middle aisle of the training room, making no bones about showing off his bubble butt. “I guess I should go next because I’m head of sales here at headquarters. We’re not selling bottles of energy drink or beautiful bodies. We’re really selling love. First we get ’em to love us—our bodies, our smiles, our warmth. We are their dream-come-true. We marry ’em. We own ’em. They’re ours. They can’t believe they could ever be close to anyone like us. We validate them like they’ve never been validated. Then we get ’em to love themselves—and nobody else. We pump up their pecs and set ’em up for Free-for-All economics. And, man, how the money flows!
“In real estate, they say the three most important things are location, location, and location. But in sales, it’s relationship, relationship, relationship. From the time we meet ’em, we are out to build an unshakable bond between them and us—so eventually we are they and they are us, nothing in between. To get ’em drugged on Atlas we’ve got to get into their heads. They don’t even know what hit ’em, except they never want it to be over. And as long as they can pay, it never will be. And the more they pay, the better life will be for ’em.
“Our special enhancing mirrors, with unique angle adjustments, are designed so clients ca
n see the bodies they can have, not just the pathetic excuse for one they have now. You’ll never find a harsh, white light bulb in here. Pink-tinted lights make clients’ skin look soft and clear and wholesome. People’s weight varies throughout the course of the day. Our specially developed scales are ‘weight-averaged,’ so people’s weight will appear five pounds less than it actually is.
“And now let me fill you in about our Elite Client Services. In a word, they are ‘gravy.’ They have become our most profitable revenue stream. They are a pure example of a savvy business adapting to meet market desires. Our staff began reporting that some of our most exclusive clients, especially corporate executives, wanted private, one-on-one sessions. Especially those who weren’t in good physical shape didn’t feel comfortable using the Titan machines with other people around. Also, power-clients were often available at odd hours. They need people who work with them to be flexible. They’re also used to being pampered. They love to be made to feel special.
“So, our center is open 24/7 to satisfy our elite clients’ every need—in person, by phone, email, text message, you name it. Of course, in person is preferred! Our clients have favorites, as you may well imagine. So, staff members, including trainees, are always on call for elites. They all live on the second floor. Each has a fully furnished studio apartment. Our elite clients pay extra for a wide variety of personalized services. The sky’s the limit.
“Thinking like all good Free-for-All entrepreneurs, we created ten luxurious, private, two-room suites for our elites on the first floor, in which staff may meet with them discreetly. They are in great demand. In fact, we already have architectural plans drawn for additional suites, that are even more luxurious. As you’ll see when you tour our facility, there’s an exercise room with a dedicated Titan machine in each suite, as well as a bedroom and bath for anyone who wishes to spend the night. We do everything to make them feel at home. Many clients reserve the same day and time each week. Many schedule the same staff member to be with them. Rates vary, depending upon the services provided and the length of stay. But as you can imagine, with elites, price is no object. Staff members receive a generous commission on elite services. Enrique is planning to tell you more about starting your own Elite program, so I’ll stop here. Just let me assure you, your bottom line will bulge like you wouldn’t believe.”
“Hi, I’m Cheryl Watkins,” the bouncy ex-beauty queen effuses. “Fly me to prosperity. Just kidding—not! But that’s really how I feel about my role at Atlas Fitness. Obviously, I’m next. There’s no one left. I run our workshops. And I’m not just saying that they are the most important part of Atlas because they’re mine. They really are our lifeblood. Yes, they are a source of revenue. But importantly, if we build people’s bodies and satisfy their needs without reinforcing their belief in Free-for-All economics, we will have failed in our mission. All of you have the list of current workshop offerings, starting with the two foundational ones, ‘Drug Yourself on Atlas’ and ‘Your Only Interest Is Your Self-Interest.’ So, I want to mention two brand new offerings.
“I am so proud of ‘A World without Pity.’ We offered it last month for the first time and it has had rave reviews. It is four power-packed sessions, like all of our workshops. But it’s unique because of the field component. I’m so excited when I talk about it that I get ahead of myself. First, the goal of the program is to free participants of the emotion of pity. They get to see that it is one of the roots of all evil. They get to recognize how it saps their creativity, most often without their even realizing it. Through a simple but powerful process, participants discover how pity cripples those who pity and those who are pitied. Homework, the field component, is so exciting. Participants have to go out into the world around them and make a list of every situation in which they find themselves showing any signs of compassion, caring, feeling—anything on the continuum of pity. Then, they learn how to work through it. One of my favorite exercises is called ‘Laugh ’til it hurts.’ It’s so simple. Participants take turns describing a pitiful situation of their choosing—and then the whole group laughs at it. It works like a charm! At the end of four weeks, they understand that they don’t have to think twice about anyone else. They are truly free for the first time in their lives. They understand that pity is for suckers and charity is for dupes. And they’ve developed senses of humor.
“We’re two weeks into the first offering of our ‘Profit without Pity’ workshop, and we’re already getting rave reviews. It’s a natural followup to ‘A World without Pity.’ Participants say their lives are completely transformed. Once they understand the power of living without pity—that they don’t owe anybody else anything, and nobody owes them anything—they are liberated to take everything they want when they want it wherever they find it, without answering to anyone. They’ve learned to see greed and selfishness as positives—and to be proud to be called grasping and self-centered. At the end of four sessions, they’ll actually speak a different language. It’s that powerful. As the song goes, they’ll ‘accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative, and not mess with Mr. In-between.’ They’ll have a whole set of empowering mantras, like ‘My ends justify my means’ and ‘Winner takes it all.’
“During your visit today, I hope you’ll review the training manuals for both of the workshops and purchase them in quantity for your staff. I’m available to train them in delivering the programs onsite at your centers, of course.”
“Everyone, let’s give Thor, Rick, Bambi, and Cheryl a thunderous hand,” Enrique says, leading the applause. “Now you see why headquarters is so successful! Our Elite Client Services program has evolved and is still evolving. But already it is our top priority—and a major source of increased revenue. We leave it up to each staff member to cultivate and maintain clients. As Rick said, it’s all about relationship, relationship, relationship. If you want your cash register to ring, never lose sight of that fact or let your staff forget it. During the course of today, please sign up for your private session with me to discuss implementing your Elite program. I’ll give you all the details, suggested commission rates, and other incentives.
“I’m also pleased to announce that we will soon be launching Atlas Super Energy Drink, the next generation of our miracle-in-a-bottle. As its name suggests, it is extra-potent and extra-effective. It is also twice as expensive as regular Atlas Energy. But enough from headquarters for the moment. Let’s hear updates from the field. Don’t wait to be called on. Feel free to stand up—and tell us who you are.”
A man whose head is shaved and who appears to be about 6'3" jumps up like a jack-in-the-box. “I’ll be the first. Hello, everyone,” he says, extending his arms in an embrace that takes in the whole room. “I’m Alex Henderson from the Sacramento Center. I am thrilled to be here and to be part of Atlas Fitness. It’s the best damn franchise— ever. Anyone who says you can’t make it in the Corporate States is a socialist fool. We’ve doubled our membership in the last three months. We’re running out of space and are looking at moving into a new facility—probably renting with an option to buy. We’ve got two, that’s right two, secret weapons. First, we’re got the hottest women and men in all of Northern California on our staff. Make that all of California! Let me tell you: Flesh sells. I am very interested in your Elite program, so please schedule me for your first one-on-one. And second, we don’t wait for people to come to us. Our hotties go everywhere there is to go. I’ve got an RV filled to the brim with Atlas Energy Drink and we sell bottles hand-over-fist right from there. We go into neighborhoods. We go to malls. We’re outside of movie theaters hustling crowds. We get their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. And before long we’ve got ’em coming in to try out the Titans and buy more drink.” The whole audience stands and applauds. “Go, Al. Go, Al. Yes, yes, yes,” they chant.
A woman with a sour puss gets up even before Henderson sits. “Well, I don’t want to put a damper on all of Al’s success. But we’ve got a major pro
blem. I’m Cheryl Atkins and this is my business partner Mike Paul. We’re from the Chicago Center. Unfortunately, we’re across from Grant Park, which these days has been turned into a Cooperville. You know what that means—a steady stream of dispossessed, stinking riffraff. For those of you who don’t know Chicago, it used to be a showplace. The Art Institute, the Museum of Natural History, and the Aquarium are all there. But now everywhere you look, there are people living in tents, cardboard boxes, and even in the open in sleeping bags. The Memorial Fountain, the beautiful landmark, was turned into a bathtub until the city shut off the water and drained it. Now, they’re pissing in it for spite. Hundreds of them go out during the night and put ‘John Galt Is Dead!’ stickers everywhere, including all over the front of our building. It’s like an infection. It’s the biggest drag on business you can imagine. And we’re hurting.”
“We’ve even got unreformed do-gooders passing out food and giving those bums money,” Mike Paul adds without standing up. “They’re only making matters worse. Those lazy sons-of-bitches need a good swift kick in the ass so they’ll go out and get a job. I’ve heard all their talk about there not being any work, but they’re full of it.”
“Cheryl, Mike, and anyone else whose business is suffering because of a Cooperville,” Enrique says, “don’t worry. You’ll hear from Professor Manfreed in a few minutes about how Washington is going to take care of all those deadbeats once and for all. I promise you!”
A tall, tanned man in his forties calls out, “Enrique, I’ve got a different problem, and I’m really concerned about it. I’m Richard Foster from the Indianapolis Center. We’ve been getting reports of bad reactions to the Energy Drink—like diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach upset.”
Atlas Drugged Page 10