The Beast
There is The Beast, a very large beast; the “envy of the world”. The home of secrets.
The People of The Beast worship The Image. The Image is called The Perfection or The Righteous Image. The Controllers protect The Perfection. All is well here. A Voice suggests an improvement. The Beast shifts uncomfortably, eyes moving and watching, grumbling in its throat. Watching The Voice. The Beast slightly turns its back, continuing to watch. There was the smallest suggestion that all is not well. Voices dare to raise concerns: patient care, health & safety, staff welfare. The Beast doesn’t listen at first, but as The Voices get louder, growls and spits warningly. “The answers are in the room, but they do not want them”. The Voices go quieter and then are silent. The Voices are learning to be quiet; it’s what happens here. Nothing will change, so there is no point. The Controllers control The Voices. Other Voices use the words, bullying, harassment, abuse, incivility, aggression, intimidation, negative behaviour. Action is required. The Beast is enraged. This threatens the very heart of The Beast. Its thinking, feeling, the very fibre and spirit of its being. The guts of The Beast. How can it exist without the tool of intimidation? How can it keep control? It enjoys it. Satisfies its needs. The Beast is scared. Scared of The Truth. Scared of secrets being exposed. Dirty Linen must not be washed. Scared of the myth of perfection being shattered. The Beast breathes fire, lashing out menacingly. The Voices cower, fear rising. The Voices go silent and some leave The Beast. They must learn to be quiet, and not challenge. Obedience, conformity, and silence are the hallmarks of The Perfect Employee. They will do well. Insubordination is not tolerated. The Constitution of The Beast states that The Voices must be positive. No ‘bad news’ or criticism to dent the shiny image. The Beast is “unimpeachable”. “…you cannot, cannot criticise”. The Beast settles back comfortably, happily smiling its perfect smile to The Outside World. Its back is completely turned. The Perfection, The Righteous Image is worshipped. All is well here. The secrets are kept. The Controllers protect and control. There must be no challenge to The Perfection. No challenge to the Righteous Image. Rachael Pope 16 February 2020 |