Oh, what a way to die!
(Two bankers sit on a bench. They are both nicely dressed in suits and matching shoes and while waiving their hands it is clear to any viewer that they are heartily engaged in a familiar dialogue. Behind them is a neon street sign with numbers that keep irregularly changing. The older man has a phone in his hand and one earphone plugged in.)
Sten:
How much?
Cordell:
23.
Sten:
Wow, boy! That’s fantastic! Great morning! We have a bake-off next Monday, could you make the pitch?
Cordell:
Yeah, sure. Who’s the client?
Sten:
Some young genius with crypto. We just need to deliver as little as possible. That stuff sells itself. I don’t have bandwidth for anything other than MobyGo right now; they’re completely rallying the market. Did you see their numbers yesterday?
Cordell:
Who didn’t? I can’t believe people buy into that shit. Unbelievable.
Sten:
(Laughs.) For sure! But you know, as long as it rolls. Sometimes money exist where you least expect to find it. That’s something I’ve learned the last couple of years. You see this dumb-looking kid step into the office and you just want to give up. Like, what are we doing here when the greatest ideas seem to be coming from a sweaty wardrobe in a forgotten suburb? They don’t even know how to communicate properly. They just have these amazing brains that no one fully understands until they make six figures.
Cordell:
You’re just old, Sten. These guys are the new deal. This is how the world will be run from now on. I mean, these guys at least dare to push some boundaries.
Sten:
I’m still not convinced. They come and go. You spend time working with them; think they will make it; that they will disrupt the market. And they do. But then, when they fall, which most of them do, they bring so many other people down with them.
Cordell:
So, why work with fast ideas like that? Are we that desperate?
Sten:
(Starts to fiddle with his phone.) Mmm. (Mumbles a bit.) I guess so. I’m quite happy making money in any way I can. Or, almost any way. I’m not a criminal. (He laughs.)
Cordell:
It’s still weird if you think about it. That we desire more and more. Do you ever think like that?
Sten:
No. Why would I? I’ve worked really hard and deserve everything that I have. And so have the companies we work with. Even these junk bonds I’ve got right now. They’re moving us forward.
Cordell:
But they’re all below the bar. I don’t know how you do it. I mean, mentally. It’s starting to stress me out completely.
Sten:
We’re brokers, Cordell! We have to act risky, but not necessarily live risky. That feeling of professional risk is what keeps us going. And the fact that risk could turn into gold. I like being bold.
Cordell:
Fine, fine. I get that point. And of course I like that too. Or at least, I used to. It’s just that lately, it has all felt a bit numb. Everyone is talking about our climate crisis while I’m just working on increasing wealth. This new company we work with, for example, the oil company. Is that not wrong?
Sten:
Well, I’m not sure the climate is changing because of us. There are tons of scientists who’ve proven that the climate would change anyway. Temperatures have always fluctuated. So all this stress about climate change is just an overreaction, if you ask me.
Cordell:
It’s really hard to know. Honestly, I'm just a banker.
Sten:
Exactly! So the only thing you should worry about is your own life. How do you want to live?
(Both men sit quietly for a while, Sten checks his phone again.)
Cordell:
Are you afraid?
Sten:
Hold on a second, Cordell, I just need to say one thing. (Sten points at his phone.)
Cordell:
Oh, I didn't see you talking to anyone. (He looks a bit confused. A few minutes pass in silence. Cordell stares out into the air. Sten stares at his phone. No words are spoken.)
Sten:
(Waves to his phone and smiles.) Great work guys! Keep going! (He turns to Cordell.) OK, now I’m done. What did you say?
Cordell:
I asked if you’re afraid.
Sten:
(Laughs loudly.) You’re a funny lad! (He calms down when he sees Cordell isn’t smiling.) What would I be afraid of?
Cordell:
I’m not fully sure. I’ve just had a feeling lately. A feeling that is growing inside of me. I can’t fully grasp it, but at the same time it’s about to eat me up. It’s as if I’m starting to sense the world around me. It’s as if it wants me to look more carefully. As if we have been blind and the art of seeing is coming over me. I think the world is beautiful to look at, but most people don’t see it. The world is beautiful, but it’s also mad. People are mad. You and I can continue to calculate business plans and actions, but we can’t calculate the madness of people. It frightens me.
Excerpt from the book Oh, what a way to die!
Oh, what a way to die! is a brief exploration of modern manhood. Deteriorated ideas of masculinity – where self interest and profit are more desirable than generous care – are deeply linked to the severe and ongoing planetary crisis.
Through a heuristic dialogue between the two investment bankers Sten and Cordell, we are taken on a journey from banking worlds and constant acquisition, to mothers, sustainability and the true meaning of life.