Businesswoman Chapter 182

The heights of the Wilmington skyscraper never bothered "Entrepreneur Paul” Atkinson. He sat relaxed in jeans and a light jacket. Across from him sat the mayor, Collier Brightfellow. He wore a gray suit with gold buttons. His mouth remained slightly opened and he rubbed his hands together.

“You’re asking too much,” Brightfellow warned.

“Am I? I’m just saying we should reverse the tax code to only pay for governmental services. The sales tax should be implemented and the income tax, chucked,” Atkinson mentioned with aplomb.

“Do you know what Delawareans, not to mention Wilmingtonians, are going to take to the street if we were to ever do that?”

“I’m not concerned with that. Once we educate—”

“Educate? Educate how? The public schools receive taxpayer funds…of course you know that….”

“Yes, but we will have only private schools. Private post offices, and many other organizations privatized. For our purposes, only the cops and courts will be under government control.” Atkinson placed his hands on his desk. He looked Brightfellow directly in the eye.

The mayor laughed. It was a nervous, stricken kind of giggle. It was like he didn’t know what to say. Finally, he cleared his throat and adjusted his gold tie.

“You and I know that can’t happen. It’s ridiculous, ludicrous. We can’t just have private roads and no taxation on income. Now, come back down from your cloud,” Brightfellow repeated the sickly giggle.

“Can’t we, though? We could be the First State and the first state to do away with government force which throttles businesses and individuals.”

“You’re not kidding….”

“I am not.”

Brightfellow looked around the office almost in bewilderment, like nausea had overtaken him. He pulled himself together. “And how do you plan to implement these policies?”

“That’s your role, Mr. Mayor.” Atkinson retorted with gravitas.