The Dreamseller_ The Calling - Augusto Cury [45]
“Master,” he said. “For thirty years I worked for the same company. I truly started to come into my own as a manager and distinguished myself among my peers. But my boss didn’t like it and started finding all sorts of ways of making my life hell for years until he finally fired me. I gave that company my all, but I was tossed aside like trash. I became depressed. I felt betrayed and didn’t have the courage to start all over again with a new company. Besides, they prefer young employees who’ll take less pay. I hate my old boss with all my heart. What can I do?”
The man’s lips trembled. He appeared to be looking for some kind of relief amid the agony. The dreamseller looked first at us, then at him, and stated:
“Envy and revenge are phenomena exclusive to the human race. No other species has them. He envied you because you had something he didn’t. But there’s a way to exact revenge on him.”
I was confused. “What kind of man am I following?” I thought. “Isn’t he the master of forgiveness?”
Bartholomew liked the dreamseller’s attitude. Echoing his words, he said, “That’s right. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Give the guy a good punch in the mouth.”
Dimas puffed out his chest. “If you need somebody to get your back, you found him,” he said and began making karate gestures.
Honeymouth was emboldened. He began to shout and make disjointed karate chops like he was some kind of sensei. The two started play-fighting and Dimas, without meaning to, popped Honeymouth upside the head and dropped him like a bad habit. He went out cold and was slow to get up. When we rushed to his side, he rubbed his head and told Dimas, “Are you mad at me?”
Bartholomew realized this eye-for-an-eye was a dangerous business. The fired manager, watching this, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“How should I get even?” he asked the dreamseller.
“By killing him,” the dreamseller replied flatly.
My legs buckled. I never thought I’d hear those words come out of the dreamseller’s mouth. My heart was pounding and I even thought about leaving the group that very moment. Then, dripping hatred, the man bared his true intent.
“You’re right. That’s what I’m going to do. That son of bitch doesn’t deserve to live.” But before the man could leave, the dreamseller searched for the root of his hate.
“The greatest revenge you can take against any enemy is to forgive him. Kill him inside yourself.”
“How do I do that?” the man asked, surprised.
“The weak kill their enemies’ body; the strong kill how they regard their enemies. Those who kill the body are murderers. Those who kill what they represent are wise.”
The man started to feel light-headed. We had to grab him and lean him against the closest wall. The dreamseller went up to him again, looked him straight in the eyes and said:
“Take your revenge by reclaiming your peace of mind and by shining even more in your next job. Otherwise, he will haunt you for the rest of your life.”
The man stood paralyzed for several seconds. Then he regained his composure and realized that he couldn’t behave like a victim, like a poor fool who only fuels his anger. He should take action, but a different kind. He gave the dreamseller a long embrace, the way a son hugs his father. And when he left, he was clearly headed down a different path.
That’s when I noticed the revolver bulging under his shirt. I was flabbergasted. The man really was ready to commit murder. Only then did I understand the dreamseller’s shocking attitude. No gentle words would have dissuaded this man, just like when I tried to commit suicide. The dreamseller hadn’t wiped out his desire for vengeance; he had just redirected it.
“What kind of therapy is this?” I wondered.
Days later, the Consumer Electronics Show, the greatest consumer electronics fair in the world, was taking place in the wealthiest part of the city. More than 2,500 companies were participating and some 140,000 visitors from more than