Five years ago, Ms. Issue made an unsuccessful attempt to visit Mr. Heart. As a result, Mr. Heart had amped up his security team. Because Mr. Defensive nearly failed to keep Mr. Heart safe, he demoted him from personal security to stand guard at the gates along with Mr. Pride and Mr. Insecurity. He then hired two new personal security guards to work the front door, Mr. Denial and Mr. Bitterness.
Since the incident, business has been running as usual while he continued not to see or hear his people. On the outside, his domicile looked the same, but on the inside things were falling to pieces. The working conditifons were becoming unbearable for those in his administration and many were leaving because of it. The only ones who remained dedicated were his security team. As the more time passed, his busy schedule began to dwindle and old friendships became more and more unfulfilling. His quality of life seemed to be slipping away and he didn't understand why. This caused him to seek out the reasons for his unhappiness. He requested the company of his security team and they came at once.
"Yes Mr. Heart?" They asked simultaneously.
"I wanted to ask the two of you a question...Do you know why the quality of life has changed for me?"
"Well Sir," Answered Mr. Denial, "You are a good man. It's everyone else’s problem if they don't want to do business with you."
"Yes, Mr. Denial, you have told me this previously. I was hoping you had something new for me."
"How about you, Mr. Bitterness?"
"Well Sir, everyone out there is nothing but a bunch of whiners and complainers!! They never have anything good to say and you are better off without them!!"
"I see", he replies.
Saddened by the same responses he always hears, Mr. Heart silently ponders to himself, "I may have been hiring the wrong type of personnel. I believe it is time for a change so life can flourish once again."
He fires Mr. Bitterness and Mr. Denial on the spot. Because his secretary quit, he had to look through the stack of applicants himself. He then saw two that immediately stood out to him. He decided to hire Mr. Humble and Mr. Forgiveness as his new personal security.
Upon arrival to his home, they were stopped at the gates by the three guards.
"How can we help the two of you?" Mr. Defensive begrudgingly asked.
"We are the new personal security team to Mr. Heart," answered Mr. Humble.
"We were told of no such thing!"
"He sent for us this afternoon."
"We got this! He doesn't need any more help!" Exclaimed Mr. Pride.
"Well, I would strongly advise you to seek Mr. Heart about this matter and he should clear everything up."
"Don't you think we know what Mr. Heart needs? Who are you to tell us how to do our job?" Mr. Insecurity buds in.
"No disrespect Sir," replies Mr. Humble, "You are doing a mighty fine job. We are just responding to his request."
"Well, we'll see about this!"
Mr. Defensive pages Mr. Heart and after a brief conversation his countenance falls as he motions the two through the gates.
Mr. Heart anxiously welcomes them into his chambers excited about the changes. "Welcome, welcome! I'm so glad you came!"
"Thank you. We weren't sure we would make it in because of your guards."
"Oh yes, they take their job very seriously. And I don't think they're too thrilled about the changes I'm making."
"Well maybe you should consider hiring new guards as well?"
"You think? But they have been very loyal to me."
"Loyal yes, but beneficial?"
"I would say so. They have protected me from anyone who has meant me harm."
"With all due respect, if you don't mind me making an observation...if they have done such a great job protecting you, why do you seem so sad?"
"Because I have lost a lot of people who were beneficial to my team and I have begun to feel quite lonely."
"Well that seems more like sabotage rather than protection."
Mr. Heart pondered for a moment then his eyes begun to open widely as he shot to his feet. "You are right! I have become so disconnected from the people and I don't believe they even respect me anymore!"
In that moment the guards busted through the door, "Lies! Lies! All lies! Mutiny is afoot! Do not listen to them!" Exclaimed Mr. Defensive. "They do not know what they are talking about!"
"You have muffled the people far too long," Mr. Forgiveness rebuttaled. "Mr. Heart has a right to hear them."
It was for his own good. He doesn't know their intentions," replied Mr. Insecurity. "It is our job to make sure he doesn't get hurt!"
"You have not succeeded in your task but have actually caused him more harm."
"With tears in his eyes, Mr. Heart turns to his three guards, "Thank you thus far but I will no longer be needing your services."
Baffled and confused, they stormed off the property. Mr. Heart sits down in his chair and throws his head into his hands.
"I have been such a fool. I had surrounded myself with people who meant more harm than good to me and I pushed away all those who really loved me."
"It's ok. You still have an opportunity to turn things around and make them right," says Mr. Forgiveness.
He lifts up his head, "You're right. Five years ago was the last attempt that one of the people had made to see me and she was treated horribly. And all has gone downhill since."
Mr. Heart began tearing through papers at his desk, frantically opening and closing file drawers, pouring through their contents while Mr. Humble and Mr. Forgiveness watched.
"What are you looking for?" Asked Mr. Humble
"Ms. Issue's file! I need her contact info! I can't find it anywhere!"
"Be calm. I know where she lives. I know her personally. She is a wonderful woman, a pillar of this community and they love her. She does great things for all and never turns away anyone in need."
"Really? Take me to her please!"
Mr. Humble Leads him to the car and drives him off the property up the hill to Harmony Street. And there she was. The car stopped as he watched Mrs. Issue dancing and singing in her yard tending to her flowers. He thought to himself how beautiful she is and wondered why he would have ever refused to see such a woman.
Oblivious to his presence, he got out of the car and approached her. Her back facing him, he savored the sweet sound of her voice as he fell to his knees.
"Ms. Issue?"
She abruptly turned around and silently gazed at Mr. Heart.
I, Mr. Heart, deeply apologize for the incident that occurred five years ago. I was an idiot."
"To your feet, Mr. Heart. You have already been forgiven. And I thank you for having given me the opportunity to learn how to effectively let my voice be heard. And I too apologize for my hastiness prior and now have learned how to wait patiently for a more appropriate time to speak."
"I need a woman of your expertise on my team. Marry me. And I will make sure you and the people will always be heard."
Mr. Heart and Ms. Issue then ran off to become one and lived happily ever after.
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