Government Lot #7777-68

Conrad Winter strolled among the fifteen hundred plus titanium steel crates being auctioned in the latest government sale. Each crate was sealed and meticulously etched with the appropriate "Government Lot" number and the sale event identification codes. Prospective buyers were cautioned to be diligent and scrutinize all the information regarding the contents of each crate that was provided by the Disposition Section of the Government Purchasing Division. The prime reason for diligence by prospective buyers was that each crate's contents were basically bid upon sight unseen. In addition, each lot was purchased "as is" and without any type of warranty. Winning bidders were required to make full payment when they were notified that their bid had been accepted and the Disposition Section specifically declared that all sales were final. It was the sole responsibility of the purchasers to transport their acquisitions within six hours after execution of all mandated sale documents.

Passing a crate labeled "G.L. #7777-68," Conrad slipped the micro-disk brochure into his pocket computer. The brochure's cryptic description of the crate's contents simply stated that G.L. #7777-68 contained an assortment of computer components. Conrad had learned from experience that the description did not always agree with the reality of what was concealed within the crates packed by a bureaucratic army of employees. His first purchase of a crate from the Disposition Section had been one of those unfortunate mistakes that often occur when an over-expanded government entity endeavors to be efficient. The crate was indexed as containing computer peripherals, but the crate actually contained two hundred kilos of shredded plastic that Conrad had to pay someone to take off of his hands. Thanks to another type of clerical error though, a later purchase had made him a very wealthy man. Conrad had inadvertently acquired three thousand rare platinum connector units. In addition, the units lacked the usual government property identification codes that meant that the units were untraceable as having been in government inventory. This second extremely profitable purchase was the reason that Conrad now attended as many of the government's auctions as possible.

Yes, Conrad Winter definitely liked big government. There were, however, several strict rules that Conrad adhered to when dealing with the bureaucratic behemoth that tightly controlled his existence. The first and most important rule was never to call attention to you by delving too deeply into the gray areas of the law. The way Conrad saw it was that the government was like an oversized dragon that slept on your doorstep, as long as you tiptoed around the monster and did not disturb its sleep, you were safe. However, if you crept too close to the sleeping dragon and it opened one eye so much as half way to glance in your direction, it could fry you in an instant. The second rule was never to complain about a purchase should you find yourself the proud owner of worthless government garbage. Likewise, it was even more important not to call attention to the fact that you had acquired anything of value-especially, three thousand rare platinum connector units!

By systematically selling small numbers of the expensive units in dozens of well-dispersed markets at staggered intervals; Conrad had gradually amassed a very large fortune. With eighty platinum connector units still in reserve, Conrad felt confident enough to continue taking the risks associated with government sale events. One other cardinal rule that must be followed in order to avoid being scrutinized by the bureaucratic dragon was to always pay, no matter what, all the taxes on all income earned.