“And next up we have a planned attack in Beirut! The proposal will see simultaneous suicide bombers attacking multiple cafes along the shore, with casualties expected to crest the triple digits. These attacks are aligned with the Al-Nahima group, and though they hope to be funded by the transportation industry, they’re open to investments from any wealthy backer.”
The auctioneer looked around. In every direction he saw one-way mirrors facing him. He knew it often took a few minutes before potential investors began making bids.
A message appeared on one of the mirrors: ‘HOW DO THEY PLAN TO ADVERTISE?’
“As usual the way they advertise will be at their discretion, and the discretion of their primary investors, to be negotiated between both parties at a meeting organized by the Truman Auctioneer Service. These terms will be ironed out before the attack occurs.”
Another message appeared on a different mirror: ‘HASN’T THE NEW-USSR VOWED TO SANCTION ANY BUSINESS INVOLVED WITH FUNDING SUCH ATTACKS?’
“You must be referring to Yuri Butinklov’s recent speeches.” The auctioneer said. He did his best to make a show of shaking his head in a patronizing way. “The truth is his words are just empty rhetoric. Terrorist attacks happen with or without us, but by auctioning them off in an official capacity we simultaneously ensure they happen in areas that won’t cause too much harm to global commerce, and those funding the attacks are given a chance to turn said attacks into a potential advertisement. Mr. Butinklov knows this, and his business holdings have all participated in it. Besides, if he did try to ban businesses involved in attack-advertisements, any business could fund an attack under a rival’s name to ensure they lost access to the New-USSR market.”
‘MY BOSS IS CONCERNED THAT THIS FUNDS TERRORISM.’ The message appeared on another mirror.
“Well yes, the terrorists do receive 10% of the revenue from these auctions. How else do you expect us to control them? I know attack-advertisements are controversial and have been in the news a lot lately, but most criticisms against them tend to fall on deaf ears. Meanwhile, you know what hasn’t fallen on deaf ears? The Grand Hand’s attack on the Moroccan embassy in Paris, and their manifesto which includes glowing references to the Green-Waters Shipping Company. Since that attack, Green-Waters’ stock has gone up 12%.”
That was enough to coax the first bid. With great gusto and energy, the auctioneer pointed toward the prospective investor.
“We have a bid for $500,000 from Room Number 8!” He boomed, pointing at the corresponding mirror. “Room Number 8! $500,000! Do I hear $550,000?”
The message flashed on three mirrors simultaneously. ‘$550,000’
The auctioneer smiled as the bids flew in.