Dear Reader,

As someone who detests the way we humans create labels whose only purpose is to alienate us from one another, it is with considerable regret that I must address the use of one such label now. My biographer, Ms. Bennet, has asked me to describe what it is like to be a billionaire.

What is your first thought when you hear that word — billionaire?

Do you imagine me free to indulge any whim, able to buy anything that catches my eye without bothering to ask the price?

If so, you’d be wrong. I, as do you, have limits. Can I afford to buy a thirteen-billion-dollar aircraft carrier? No, I cannot. I will leave that to the taxpayer. But, can I afford to buy a yacht with more floor space than a hundred or so average size American homes? Yes. Except for the unwelcome attention it would bring me to do so, it wouldn’t be a problem.

I won’t deny that I enjoy the many nice things my money affords me. But, of far more importance to me is the secret world my wealth has allowed me to create for myself and those I care about and who care about me. For me, the world we have created is a sacred place because it is within that world that me and mine function so well as a single unit. Within it, success follows success as naturally as waters flow to the sea.

However, an unfortunate slip of the tongue of a minor manager in one of my smaller companies put Ms. Bennet on a trail that eventually led her to my doorstep and now, to protect my anonymity, Ms. Bennet and I have been forced into an uneasy agreement. In exchange for a considerable amount of money and full access to the operations of my organization, she will not publish any of what she knows, or any of what she will learn as a result of our agreement, unless I have been exposed through some other means that is no fault of hers.

It is the intention of the author to document the closing days of the biggest deal I have ever made. During the next week, she will see, and hopefully never share with you, every detail of my life as this deal comes to a close.

There will be glitches along the way. There always are. It is only reasonable that these things also be recorded with complete honesty and transparency. In such matters, the glitch is invariably caused by people. You need so see how I and my team handle such matters fairly and efficiently.

I have seen to it that Ms. Bennet will have free rein to document any and all events in my world whether I am in attendance or not. It will be obvious to you, as you read, when the author is quoting me directly or writing from my notes. It will be equally obvious when the words are the author’s own and express her impression of events she has observed or had related to her by others.

Some weeks ago, we sent Ms. Bennet an advanced copy of my schedule so that she could decide for herself when would be the best time for her to begin her sojourn into my world. She picked a time and location that will begin at 8 PM tonight.

As often happens in the waning days of any deal, when the pieces are all falling into place so nicely, I do something to shake things up a bit. Why not? I hate to be bored and I can imagine no better way to shake off the malaise of apathy that follows on the heals of any business deal than a night out with one of my closest friends. Although, it must be said that, with my security team, it’s never about just the friends you can see.

With my very best regards and wishes for your health and happiness, I am

Chase Madison