11. News

Alone inside the huge and increasingly lonely house, the businessman Maximilian Philips, lying on the floor with a bottle of whiskey beside him, looks up at the ceiling.

The chandelier is radiant, imposing, and in itself already demonstrates a luxury that the man had once made a point of boasting.

But now, what was it but a handful of cut glass with light bulbs inside?

Max takes another sip of whiskey.

The new maid, Lanis, knocks twice on the door before entering;

"Mr. Philips, you have a visitor.

"Send them away," he retorts. His voice is pasty from excessive alcohol consumption.

"But, Mister Phillips, it's a-"

"I've already sent away!"

"Yes, sir."

Of course, after the divorce, women in love with him, who had always desired him and sighed when he passed through the halls, would go after him like bees go for honey.

But Maximilian wanted none of them.

The drone had lost its queen bee. And worse: because of his own malfeasance.

Staggering, Max stood up and took six long sips from the bo