Retirement

“Once we are accepted into the club, we pay dues into a fund which pays for our retirement here on the island. On the surface, it looks like any rather expensive club and retirement fund with special secret clauses in the event of death. Nothing out of the ordinary to lawyers and other interests. Our families are well taken care of. The club organizes trust funds which will provide for them and their descendants.”
“Once we 'retire', we come here with the knowledge that we cannot leave this island, at least, not for a long time. Many things need to change in the rest of the world before we can reclaim our position.”
I wanted to ask him what needs to change, but I forgot after he continued on, “After we arrive here, we are not allowed any direct contact with the outside world. On occasion, we pass along information to other club members who may pass it on to our relatives, as wishes we had confessed in private, or letters left behind before we died. We do monitor the global news outlets, as you have seen, and keep up with world events. We have some influence in global events, though we rely on our club members that have not retired to manage our affairs. Many of the guests like to treat world drama as a sports game, betting on which side will win. We also receive regular reports from the club on how our agenda is being carried out.”
“Living here must seem restrictive compared to the freedom you are used to.”, I stated, not knowing what else to say. I need to come up with better questions.
“It’s not all restrictions. There are freedoms we didn’t have before, and we can do anything we want as long as we don’t endanger the island or it’s guests. We don’t have to worry about some passer by or servant witnessing something they don’t understand. We have slaves to take care of our needs and desires. We have food from every part of the world. Every day is a party, we can drink as much as we want, and it doesn’t impact our health. We can have sex with any girl that we wish. Though, we respect each others favorites in order to keep the peace. Anything in the world can be brought here.”
He added, “Most importantly, We aren’t constantly interrupted with some trivial piece of information that should have been dealt with by our staff. We don’t have to deal with the day to day management anymore.”
“Time, for us, has changed. A few decades, a century, it does not matter. We no longer have an end date for our lives. We can wait here for thousands of years if we need to. In the long run, it is just an extended holiday.”
“Most of us have had lives, full lives, working for society and now we are retired. We just want to live without worries for a while. Take a break from the rigors of directing the world. Just a little pleasure and relaxation. We will return one day as god kings.”
He paused and let that sink in. That's how they see themselves as god kings. Stories of god are notorious for their wrath. I thought about Steve and his anger. “Steve doesn’t seem like he relaxes much”, I slipped.
“There are some of us who have a hard time releasing our need for power, or rather, the practice of power. We all have an inner need to control and gain advantages, that is part of who we are and why we were invited here. Some continue to practice it through playing games, others by using slaves.”
He paused and added, “I don’t think Steve would ever feel comfortable being entirely relaxed. He likes being always on, always on the edge, always in control. He has a strong need to have power over others. It may be innate, or he may have become addicted to the power in his previous life.”
"previous life?", i asked.
"The life we led before moving here", he said. "Sometimes we refer to is as our previous life. Steve was the head of a large tech company. Even then he was known for his total control over his employees. He was successful because he had a special way of bending reality to his will. It's not so easy here for people like him. We are all equals. He can't tell us what to do."
“I think most of us are fine with our retirement. It is not forever. It would not be so bad if it were. We will return when the world is ready for us. Most of us continue to work on the word's problems in one way or another. we keep up with what's going on and give advice through our channels."
“So, do you all believe the same thing?”, I left the question open to see what he would say. They wanted to see themselves as individuals, but I see them as a cult. They work together and tie their survival to each other. They share the same culture. I wondered how established and cohesive this culture is.
“The guests are by no means unified in their beliefs.”, He responded. “Other than the self preservation of our system, self interest is what defines our superiority. Making our way in the world, and our legacy. What we leave behind is of primary importance, both our accomplishments and our descendants. We are educated at the same schools.”
We each took a drink. I smiled and tried to look relaxed. I wanted to keep him engaged so he would keep talking. I found what he was saying to be intriguing and horrifying at the same time. Like a tragedy that I could not look away from.