The Tables

We appreciate your attendance this evening
Black Book International proudly presents a K-Rino original, The Tables

[Act I]
He was birthed into his wealthiness
Never felt the need for help, was jet propelled in selfishness
Any time he came around, his arrogance would fill the room
Never guilt-consumed, he loved showing his silver spoon
His lust for power crushed a lot of folks along the way
He never missed the chance to place his privilege on display
Felt like the level that he reached no one was worthy to go
He loved to see others in lower subservient roles
Was overpowered and controlled by wealth and blinding greed
Many people came to him for help in times of need
Rejected all of them, his actions were ruthless and cold
Totally unaware of what his own future would hold
Soon to be losing control

[Act II]
As the years flew, not even he knew what his fortune grew to be
His prosperity seemed to be moving in perpetuity
He pulled up to his newest vehicle, that’s when his truth came
A homeless man approached him humbly asking for loose change
He smirked at him, kept walking ’til his building proceeded him
The homeless man looked at him, smiled and said, “we’ll meet again”
He looked back at the man, thinking ‘yeah ,right’ then laughed like it was humorous
Finished his daily task and went home that night
He settled into his loft, isolated and closed off, put on his robe and soon as he grabbed the remote, he dozed off
When he rose up, what he witnessed astounded him
Because he found that the plush room that he fell asleep in no longer surrounded him
The scene was scaring him, time had been apparently traveling
He woke up in a dark alley, incoherently babbling
His clothes were old and tattered
His hair was matted, ‘what’s happening?’
And passing men and women had no compassion, just laughed at him
He looked and saw the building he owned
But as he came on it, he noticed things had changed and it no longer had his name on it
He ran inside believing an explanation’s required
His first thought in his mind is that everyone’s getting fired
When he saw his employees, he angrily started chastising them
To his surprise, he realized no one was recognizing him
So nobody would listen, his phone was even missing
The authority he used to have was gone and nonexistent
Was this a nightmare he drifted in while he was living
He saw his new reflection and couldn’t believe the vision
He was on top of the world, now suddenly life was hard
And as he pleaded for help, people treated him like a dog

[Act III]
Confused about the truth, he was living proof it was twisted
Used to be popular, now nobody knew he existed
He wandered through the streets, feeling lost and feeling worthless
He walked miles to his mother’s house, a home that he had purchased
When he knocked, his mother answered, that’s when all his hope fell through
‘cause when she saw him, all she said to him was “May I help you?”
He said, “mother, it’s me,” as he fought back tears harder
She saw that he was bothered and offered a drink of water
She said, “I’m not your mother, you must suffer from a condition, and sir, you’re talking foolishly, my son is in the kitchen”
Seconds later, he saw something that he never expected
When her son came in the room, it was the bum that he rejected
His demeanor was stoic and steady, tension was heavy
He said, “mom, I turned the over off, the casserole is ready”
The mother exited slowly and no emotion was shown
Now all of a sudden it was just him and the man alone
He said, “what kind of spell is this that caused this hell I’m in?”
He said, “the last time I saw you, I told you we’d meet again”
He asked, “Is this about the money I didn’t give you back then? Oh, I get it, since I turned you down, this is about revenge”
“No, it’s not about revenge or envy and never will it be, this is just a lesson in sympathy and humility
I’m using this ability ‘cause I’ve seen you repeatedly disrespectfully speaking, treat people the way you treated me
Now you see and understand how it feels to be ruined and half the world viewing you as if you’re less than human
The punishment, you’ve earned it”
His mother came out with the food and saw the dinner table was crooked and so she turned it
At that moment the other man’s presence dispersed
The greedy man began to feel time rewind and reverse
He was back in his suit, his phone in his hand, and his mother knew him
Grateful and humble now because of what was done to him
Now he waited for the poor and disadvantaged to come
Spent the rest of his days tryna fix the damage he’s done
Showed concern and luckily was able to learn that no matter how high you make it, the tables can turn

What if the story didn’t end like that

…the punishment, you’ve earned it”
His mother came out with the food and saw the dinner table was crooked and so she turned it
At that moment, he fully comprehended what had took place
He dropped down to his knees and pleaded him with a shook face
Was asked if he was ready to return to his former glory
He said, “yes, I am, I’ll change right now if you restore me”
So the guy made him stand up, looked deeply in his face, then he told him, “I’ve decided now to keep you in this state”
He screamed and in his worse moment, he was able to learn that sometimes you never make it back when the tables have turned