Tailender

Note: This short story was written in 2009, but I didn't publish it because it was inspired by a real person. That person is now dead. Enjoy!

HERSONNISOS, 2009

That old media first reported my antics was the final insult, but only for my scapegoat.

"I still don't know how you pulled it off," Miranda asked. We were at a beach restaurant. I'd flown her out to gloat, but also, perhaps, to relive old times. "Was it even illegal?"

The New York Times didn't call it a scam, though there was certainly criminal misdirection involved. Bloggers were not so temperate. The consequences will be severe, but not for me.

"Someone will think so. Yes. Of course it was," I said. And smiled. "It'll be in the papers, right?"

Rewind two years. 2007. I'm a blog repossessor. The duties involved had existed in the shadows for some time, but only as the economic meltdown built up and boiled over did it become a real profession. (more")