Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Part 2
RADIO SHOW: How far will Dawoud go to bring his family to America? How many millions will he steal?
Scene 4
THE SOUND OF PANTING.
NARRATION: Dawoud was running hard down the street. He needed that money for his client who invested in him. He had thought that his work would cover the cost but it was not enough. He had decided that the best course of action was to give his plasma for money. He got to the hospital and opened the door.
THE SOUND OF THE DOOR OPENING.
DAWOUD: Is this the plasma donation center?
NURSE: Yes, what is your name, please?
DAWOUD: Matthew Dawoud. Could I give my plasma for money?
NURSE: Yes, please sit in that chair over there.
NARRATION: She pointed toward the 3rd chair in a row of chairs against the gray monochrome wall. Matthew was a bit nervous; he had never pulled his blood out. He started to form bits of moisture around his neck and armpits.
NURSE: Ok, we will insert the needle now.
DAWOUD: Got it. How long will this take?
NURSE: About 45 minutes.
OMINOUS MUSIC STARTS PLAYING.
NARRATION: So Dawoud waited there seeing his plasma pile up and thought of his strategy. He would start off small by doubling people's money, and then after a certain number of people had come to him, he would start his Ponzi scheme. He would change it so he would return 20% more than people invested. “This will make me rich,” he thought, “filthy rich.” But he was interrupted by the Nurse.
NURSE: Done!
DAWOUD: Great! I will go now.
NURSE: Wait not so fast. Make sure to hydrate and not push your body too much. Here is your money.
DAWOUD: Thank you.
NARRATION: Dawoud now had enough money to pay off his investor, and everything would go uphill from here.
Scene 5
SOUND OF GLASSES CLINKING AND CHATTER.
NARRATION: Dawoud now has over 200,000 dollars to his name. It had been 10 months since the start of his operation. He was desperately trying to arrange his family's boats to America. They would not be disappointed; after all, he had made a living here. He was going to meet someone who called himself important.
SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS.
DAWOUD: Hello.
DAVIS: Hello, nice to meet you.
NARRATION: A bead of sweat appeared on Dawoud’s forehead. He gulped.
DAWOUD: Nice to meet you too.
DAVIS: Patrick. You can call me Pat. And you are?
DAWOUD: Matthew. Matthew Dawoud.
DAVIS: I’ve been looking forward to this meeting. I want to tell you something…I know what you're doing.
NARRATION: Dawoud now felt a rush of blood towards his face, and he swallowed slowly.
DAWOUD: What do you mean? What did I do?
DAVIS: I know what you're doing. It’s called a Ponzi scheme. I know you’re scamming people and paying others off.
DAWOUD: What? Why would I do something like that?
NARRATION: Dawoud had a million thoughts rushing through his head as fast as the speed of light. He’s going to turn me in. I’m going to jail. Patrick opened his mouth to speak.
DAVIS: Because you needed money.
DAWOUD: Why are you here?
DAVIS: I’m here because…I want in.
NARRATION: Dawoud’s mind jumped with shock; then came the rush of relief.
DAWOUD: Are you blackmailing me?
DAVIS: No, no, no. I’m here to make us more money: millions, maybe billions of dollars. Picture an empire run by us with millions of people paying us.
DAWOUD: How are you going to do this?
DAVIS: We make a company that supposedly invests people's money into European companies. Our investors will consistently outperform the market and think of all the people we could reach.
NARRATION: Dawoud thought this over carefully but he came to a conclusion.
DAWOUD: You have a deal.
Scene 6
THE SOUND OF A BUSY STREET WITH CARS HONKING.
NARRATION: Dawoud had done it. He had come to New York and was ready to open his firm. Davis had been there all along with him planning Dawoud’s trip and the forming of the company.
Dawoud was traveling right now to meet up with Davis in their new office building. Dawoud arrived and opened the door to be greeted by Davis.
DAVIS: Hi, how was the ride?
DAWOUD: It was fine. So this is the office?
DAVIS: Yeah, it’s not that big but it will do.
DAWOUD: Do you have a name for the business?
DAVIS: Dawoud European Investments.
NARRATION: Dawoud liked the professional sound of the name. It made people trust you more.
DAWOUD: I love it. When do we get started?
DAVIS: I've put in newspaper ads and got people to spread the word. It should be any minute now.
NARRATION: So the pair went to their offices and waited. It wasn’t long before a person came in.
MAN: Hello, what do you do here exactly?
CLERK: We make investments in European companies that will make you money quickly with no risk.
MAN: Can I talk with one of the investors and maybe work something out?
CLERK: Right this way.
NARRATION: Matthew prepared himself as the footsteps toward his door became louder.
SOUND OF THE DOOR OPENING.
DAWOUD: Hello, how are you doing today?
MAN: Well enough. How exactly will this work?
DAWOUD: If you give us some money we will invest in companies in Europe.
MAN: Which companies?
DAWOUD: Hedge funds that will make you money for minimal risk. The oil industry is becoming quite big in Europe.
NARRATION: The man thought over Dawoud’s offer. After a couple of seconds, he came to his conclusion.
MAN: Here’s 100 dollars.
DAWOUD: Thank you, see you soon.
MAN: You too. Have a good day.
NARRATION: As the man left, Dawoud looked over the money. This would be the start of his empire. The start of his enormous fortune, all from a single person.
