In The Company of Evil Men

By Seva Gaddala

It was a typically cold and foggy day in London outside as inside the company conference room the furniture was shifted towards the back. This was to create space for the company’s costume party. The theme that year was “Historical Figures”. The employees were expected to dress up in their favourite historical figures, real or fictional.

In the midst of the sea of partygoers a small semicircle of a few of the senior employees was formed consisting of Henry Williams dressed as Napoleon, John Howard as a generic detective, Charles Frasier as a Roman soldier and Dean Hastings as the Pope. They had already plunged into a heated debate about the future of their company which was at a critical juncture. They were the biggest company, the largest capitalist organisation in the world, and even richer than most nation states. But that was all about to change. Wiliams, Howard, and Frasier stood in a semicircle and the lone Hastings faced them. The lines of this battle were clearly drawn.

Howard looked around the crowded room and with a sneer said, “So, it’s come down to this. A silly costume party to distract us from the impending doom.” Williams striking a more conciliatory note replied, “It might do some of the employees good. Morale is already low.”

A more preoccupied Frasier circling back to their ongoing debate wondered out loud, “Do you really think the government is going to further regulate our company? Could we really get nationalised?” At which Hastings, the lone opposing conscientious objector of the group, chimed in, “Maybe it’s for the better. Didn’t we always know it was going to happen sooner or later?” Williams now averting his eyes from looking at the crowd and locked in to Hastings eyes guffawed and said, “Hastings, How could you wish the government would take over? Where is your loyalty, man?”

The company in the past had applied for a 400,000 pound loan and then a fortnight later asked for an additional 300,000 pounds. When the bank was able to raise only 200,000 pounds the company realised they needed a further 1,000,000 more. There was also a bill of 11,000,000 in unpaid taxes.

But Howard conveniently forgetting this sordid part of their history again turned to Hastings and said, “I don’t need to remind you, Hastings. We have, for years, been the most profitable corporation in history.” Hastings not missing a beat retorted, “And also the most corrupt. The only reason we haven’t been reined in yet is because almost half of the MPs in Parliament also hold shares in our company. Our government well understands it is bad business to sink the share price of a company whose shares they own.”

At this Williams, Howard and Frasier all threw their heads back and groaned as if to say “not this again.” But Howard barreled towards Hastings saying, “How many companies can you name which have earned such consistently massive profits with their base of operations thousands of kilometers away on a different continent? Even just after a hundred years into our history we had a mere 35 permanent employees. When we began, our company office was one small office just five windows wide.”

The company may have had humble origins and managed to scale dizzying heights of success but this came on the back of some unimaginable corruption and cruelty. One of the company’s most infamous employees pocketed 2 million pounds which he in effect stole from the locals without informing the company or the government. When he was questioned about the 2 million pounds he had pocketed for himself he wryly replied, “I stand astonished at my own moderation.” To the locals he was a brute and uncouth. He didn’t bother to learn a word of the local language and only got away because of his oratory and wit.

Williams sensing the argument was turning too heated and in an effort to diffuse the tension turned to Hastings and said, “Look here, Hastings. Our sole responsibility as a corporation is to make profit for our stockholders. Not just a responsibility, but the law. We are legally bound to put the bottom line above everything else. We are to place the financial interest above all other competing interests.” Hastings, appreciating Wiliams’ tone and with a tinge of sadness in his voice whispered, “But not at the cost of lives, Mr Williams. Have you forgotten the famine?”

At the mention of the word famine they groaned. Howard looked away and Frasier lowered his head. Howard said, “That was a shame.” Hastings added, “I believe our greedy stripping of the local assets contributed to the famine. We did nothing to help them. Maybe starved and died. And yet we did not ease up on our demands.” Wiliams countered, “Blame capitalism my good man. We were under enormous pressure to maintain our profits then. Our company was in effect propping up our country’s economy. It was us or them.” Howard, desperate to change the topic blurted, “Speaking of famine, anyone hungry? We haven’t ventured to the dining room yet. Any of you got a look at the spread? I’m famished.”

They all proceeded towards the dining room. As the men made their way to the food table they bumped into a gaggle of women. Williams spotted his wife Mrs. Wiliams who was dressed as Cleopatra. She was accompanied by Mrs. Darcy who was dressed as a clairvoyant. The two women peeled themselves away from the gaggle to join the men.

Mrs. Williams turned to the men and excitedly said, “I am having the most wonderful time. It’s a fun idea, this costume party. I hope they continue this tradition again next year. So, how are you boys faring? They responded by mumbling a few pleasantries but were betrayed by the dejected looks on their faces. Williams muttered, “Well, if you must know. We can’t seem to escape the long shadow cast by our company’s uncertain future.” The men shuffled their feet awkwardly and looked around aimlessly. Hastings and Willaims then headed towards the table to refuel.

Frasier looking over at Mrs. Darcy inquired, “That is an interesting costume. What exactly is a clairvoyant?” Mrs. Darcy obliged, “I’m not sure. Something about being able to predict the future I assume. But as for the costume, this was all I could throw together at the last minute.” Mrs. Williams interjected, “Now, now, Mrs. Darcy. Don’t sell yourself short.” And turning to the men she continued, “I hope Mrs. Darcy will not think me too candid. She may not consider herself a clairvoyant and her costume doesn’t make her any more so, but she has on occasion surprised me with her predictions.” An amused Howard said, “Really now? How delightful. Could you maybe provide us with a sample exhibition of this eccentric talent?” Mrs. Darcy, taken aback, squealed, “Oh no, no! How embarrassing. I couldn’t. I would hardly consider it a talent. And my predictions were nothing more than lucky guesses. And the fact that I’m dressed as a clairvoyant today is nothing more than a coincidence, really.”

Hastings and Williams returned to the group with plates full of freshly heaped food. Howard turned to the two and trying to fill them in on what they missed said, “It seems Mrs. Darcy is something of a clairvoyant. And if we are lucky she may entertain us with a prediction or two.” Williams welcoming the seeming levity and pivot in the conversation said, “How interesting. This would be a welcome but if fun to break from our morbid conversation.” Frasier now stroking his chin as if he had hit upon something said, “May I suggest something? Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Darcy have no knowledge of the details of our conversation. Only that we were discussing our company’s uncertain future. Would Mrs. Darcy, using her power of clairvoyance, maybe reveal the details of what we discussed?”

This suggestion excited Mrs. Williams who proceeded to grip Mrs. Darcy’s arm as if to say, “You might as well.” A resigned Mrs. Darcy, not wishing to displease the group, composed herself, shut her eyes and proceeded, “Ok, then. You were discussing the possibility of our company being seized by the government…and Robert Clive and how he pocketed 2,000,000 for himself…and the Bengal famine in 1770 caused by our greed as we stripped the place of everything and still made the people pay taxes and even hung those who didn’t. Our company also did nothing to help as millions died…and when the company even at the height of the famine managed to collect the same amount of taxes the shareholders were pleased enough to vote themselves a dividend increase of 12 and a half percent.” Wlliams raised his hand to pose a question but Frasier motioned him to stop and let Mrs. Darcy continue. Mrs. Darcy continued, “You might have also discussed how the company amassed an army made up of Indian men and is now bigger than the British army. And how it was the native wealthy families like the Jagat Seths that lent the company money and how odd it is that Indian bankers lent money to the English company to pay Indian soldiers to fight other Indians only for the profit of the company…and this company took over the whole of India.”

The group looked at each other with a mix of surprise and amusement. Then Frasier exclaimed, “Impressive! But all that you have mentioned is not exactly about the future now, is it? It was more of a history lesson, a recap. Could you tell us the future?” Mrs. Darcy by now had had enough of this. She now hoped for nothing more than to get this all over with. She continued, “Well, we are in the year 1857 now. The company’s own army has revolted and almost drove us off the country, and the company has killed thousands in retaliation…and yes the government will take over the company and will rule India for the next hundred years or so. A frail man in simple clothes will lead them and eventually drive us out. Very few will remember that it was not the British government that conquered that country, but that it was a private corporation. But those who know will consider us the largest, most powerful, most dangerous corporation in the history of mankind.”

The men with raised eyebrows gave each other worried looks and realised it was time to end the discussion. The party was over. They soon started bidding farewell to each other. As Hastings left the party he headed towards the main entrance. As he stood in front of the grand door he looked at the road as a horse-drawn carriage passed by. He took one last look at the entrance with the grand door and at the sign above which read “The East India Company.”

By Seva Gaddala