To Cripple A Titan

“My friends, we stand before the gates of Saudi Petroleum International. This company—” Scarlet jabs a finger at the looming office complex “—this dark spawn of Saudi Aramco represents the greatest threat that we face in our world today. It is the largest fossil fuel company in the world. It is the largest company in the world. It is the face of modern evil.”

She paces towards the glass double doors, beyond which I can only make out the barest hint of an office lobby. Her bodyguards follow in lockstep a few paces behind, while one scans the gathering crowd. I turn my head to the side as he does so, avoiding his gaze.

“We have made the same demand of all the fossil fuel companies in the world. It is a clear and reasonable thing.” Scarlet pauses for a moment, and then she shouts: “One percent!”

“ONE PERCENT FROM THE ONE PERCENT!”

The roar of the crowd’s echo puts metal concerts to shame.

“One percent!” She cries out again, and the sonorous refrain: “ONE PERCENT FROM THE ONE PERCENT!”

“That’s right,” she says. “All we ask for—one percent of revenue to be placed into R&D for clean energy, or we boycott. Reasonable companies have agreed to these terms. BP, ExxonMobile, Shell, most of the big hitters. Now, we come for you, Saudi Aramco—” She sweeps her gaze across the crowd. It’s a quick action, not meant to catch any distinct faces, but I am waving my sign, and I have pushed my way to near the front of the crowd, and her eyes latch onto mine for a second, and her eyes widen. “We…” Scarlet’s voice falters for a second. She is looking at me. My lips curl upwards and I mouth a quick ’Hello’. And then, from my backpack, I pull out a Guy Fawkes mask, slip it on, and retreat back into the depth of the crowds.

“We fight for justice, and a brighter tomorrow,” she finds her rhythm again, though her gaze lingers on me for a second longer. The bodyguards are scanning the crowd now, noticing her slip up, but with my mask on, I am a nobody now. “Saudi Aramco, you can hide, but you cannot hold out forever. You went public last December, and we’ve seen the damage the investors have wreaked on your valuation. You will be held accountable, one way or another. Save the planet, and save yourself!”

The crowd cheers as she pauses, but I don’t hear what she says next. I’m already backing out of the crowd, and making my way back to Jericho’s.