Principal Greed

George was a millionaire, plain and simple.  He had plenty of money to share, but he preferred not to share it.  What a surprise.  He was an old miser balding with defined wrinkle lines across his forehead and black intent mole-like eyes.  You could say he was a typical rich man with all the titles and faults of a man who shouldn't need anything.  But it wasn't enough, he wanted more and he didn't want to waste resources to get there.1

So, if he's such a cliché of the rich why even mention him?  What makes him so special?  Are you honestly trying to provoke our pity for this monster?  You must wonder. . .2

No, better than that.  I'll give you justice.  You see the problem that George does have, accompanying his money fetish, is kidney failure.3

The doctor told him he was in such bad shape that he could be dead within weeks.  Unfortunately, he is the only transplant specialist within hundreds of miles and has a similar trait of George - greed.  Knowing of George's dire condition and of his wealth, the doctor has developed his own pension plan.  Keeping George at an undisclosed location in the hospital the doctor offers him transplant priority for half of his inheritance. . .  A sum of some twenty million dollars.4

There is no one there for poor George now.  He has out-lived and alienated everyone in his life that mattered.  There is no one on his side, but his money of course.  But then again, it doesn't appear that money is on his side this time either.5

George could never hand over that much to such a selfish doctor.  And everyone else that was even reachable for assistance could not be bought.  Nor would they give priority to one so close to death any way.  It just wasn't right to him, that he should lose his wealth, for he loved his money more than life itself.  Even though this robber was his last chance at life he wasn't about to give in to this doctor.  He was a stubborn old fool.  And he was determined to hold his dignity even at the cost of his life.6

Two weeks later he died.  Since he had not made a will, nor had any official heirs, the government claimed everything he owned and auctioned off all his belongings. . .  No one remembers him now, but somewhere in California is littered a graveyard of rich men, where George is placed.  And on the tombstone under his name it reads: died a rich man.7