Another Creation Myth

“You see I’ve known him since he was a boy. Just a little one, fourteen or so. He was a tall lanky thing back then, didn't fit into his feet. His job at the shop was running errands. Whatever anyone needed, he did that. Go pick up some new material, run over to the clients’ house to help with set up, mind the shop for an hour or so. So yeah I known him many many years ago, probably forty I'd guess. I tell you what I feel those years--feel them in my joints. Doesn't get easy being old. But yeah, he ran the errands. Didn't know him that well though. He was quiet, showed up on time till he didn't. Got in trouble once for bringing a girl around the shop late at night. Oh boy did Tom--you know, the boss at the time, the one that made the company into what it is today--Tom did flip a lid on that poor little boy. Went on and on about honesty, chivalry, respect. Woof. Poor little boy didn't have the ears or the spine for that kind of thing. Off and quit the next week, although he never did actually tell Tom. Sorry, what was it again you asked?"
"We asked if you would consider attending the event next month—at the State Fair. Come meet with Mr. Stone, then go up on stage and shake his hand."
"Oh, yeah. That. I always did love going to those state fairs. You ask me, now it's a lot of junk for sale for the most part but the pigs they got are bigger now. Don't know how they manage that. Brought my granddaughter's last year, but my son said they couldn't make it this year what with school starting earlier and all over there."
"...So the fair? Would you consider attending? Mr. Stone would just love to get to meet you again. He really values local business. He says you taught him a lot about hard work."
"I taught him about hard work? Is that what he said? Well I'll be damned, didn't know I left that good of an impression. Tell you what, if I could do that much teaching on that short of a timeline with my kids, they'd be a lot wiser than they are now. Don't tell them I said that though. They are plenty smart, those ones. Not wise yet, they need a couple more years and hard knocks, though I hope they don't get any. I got a kid who teaches science, a captain in the Navy, and a poet. Can you even believe that? How could that come from a guy who sells furniture for a living. God really does work miracles. But yeah, I talked to the wife and we plan on going to the fair. The Warners--well you probably know the Warners since you seem to know quite a bit about the shop--they'll be at the fair, and their grandkids do a lot with all the animals so we'll be there to support them."
"Oh, that's great to hear you'll be at the fair! Mr. Stone's election event is at 4 pm on Saturday--we'd really love if you'd be able to make it."
"Sure, sure. Gotta support the local boy I suppose."
"Excellent, thank you so much! We'll send over the details, get it all set up. It really is so important to Mr. Stone that people understand how deep his community ties are here. He's here to ensure your voices are heard over in Washington, and every bit of support you give, especially your time, we are so grateful for."
"Sure thing, Jesse. Your name was Jesse, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, happy to be helpful, Jesse. I gave you my daughter's email address, right? Send over the details?"
"Absolutely. Thank you so much."
"Thank you and have a good night."
....
"I swear to God, Ken, if I have to talk to any more of these decrepit connections from Stone's past I'm going to die."
"Damn, Jesse. Little dramatic?"
"I have to listen to them ramble on about their kids for an hour, just for a single moment on stage that's going to spend two seconds on the news to convince everyone that Stone's a 'man of the people'. He better win for this to be worth it."
"Hard to argue with the money pouring in to the campaign, but I'm sure the photo op will help as well. Remember, build the bootstrap story, ignore the trust fund. Gotta get the blue collar vote."