Ethics.exe

One line of code. A billion-dollar theft. Who will pay the price?

The fluorescent lights of Volkov Capital hummed with a malevolent energy, each flicker a subtle reminder of my insignificance in this temple of algorithmic avarice. Another late night poring over lines of code that would make fortunes for people who wouldn't even know my name. It was infuriating.

I, Anya Sharma, had become little more than a ghost in the machine, a cog in the intricate mechanism that shuffled billions with the clinical precision of a sociopath.

Then I saw it. A glint of possibility, a tiny crack in the fortress of code that promised a way out. The algorithm responsible for executing high-frequency trades – a masterpiece of complex engineering – contained a minuscule flaw, a vulnerability so subtle that it had eluded detection for months. It wasn't much, a rounding error here, a slight miscalculation there, but enough to siphon off fractions of pennies with each transaction. Insignificant to Volkov Capital, perhaps, but potentially life-altering to someone like me.

The moral compass inside me twitched, a faint whisper of doubt trying to penetrate my simmering resentment. Was this right? Was this ethical? Did it matter?

Should I make a deal with the Devil, or at least with Marcus?

I pushed those questions aside. Ethics were for people who could afford them. I, on the other hand, was drowning in student loan debt, living in a cramped apartment with questionable plumbing, and watching my dreams slowly suffocate under the weight of corporate monotony.

This was my chance.

My ticket.

Over the next few weeks, I refined my plan, crafting a stealthy algorithm that would intercept the fractional amounts and transfer them to a secure crypto wallet, a digital vault hidden from prying eyes. It was a risky endeavor, fraught with potential consequences, but the allure of financial freedom was too strong to resist. I named the program "Phoenix," a symbol of my impending rebirth from the ashes of my mundane existence.

The first transfer was almost anticlimactic. A mere $17.43. But it was a start. A spark. And with each subsequent transaction, the Phoenix grew stronger, its digital wings beating faster, carrying me closer to the horizon of my dreams.

The numbers swelled in my crypto wallet, becoming a shimmering beacon in the digital darkness. Each day, I watched my savings grow. But what started as a practical solution, an escape from the relentless grind, was turning into something else entirely. A thrill. A game. A dangerous addiction.

I upgraded my apartment, trading the questionable plumbing for a sleek, minimalist space overlooking the city. I bought a ridiculous sports car, a crimson statement piece that screamed, "I made it!" But behind the veneer of success, a nagging unease began to fester. The weight of my secret was heavy, a constant burden on my conscience.

Then Marcus Thorne appeared.

Marcus was Volkov Capital's head of compliance, a man with a laser focus and an unnerving ability to sniff out trouble. He was ambitious, ruthless, and had the look of someone who'd sell his own grandmother for a corner office. He summoned me to his office, a sterile, windowless space that felt more like an interrogation room than a workspace.

"Anya," he began, his voice smooth as polished obsidian, "we've noticed some…anomalies in the system. Nothing major, of course. Just a few discrepancies that require clarification."

My heart hammered against my ribs. I forced myself to meet his gaze, projecting an air of innocent confusion. "Anomalies? I'm not sure what you mean, Marcus. Everything seems to be running smoothly."

He leaned back, his eyes glinting with suspicion. "Is it? Because our algorithms are telling a different story. Small discrepancies adding up to... well, let's just say a significant amount. Wouldn't you agree?"

Okay, Anya, time to play poker with a shark.

He paused, letting the silence hang heavy in the air. I knew he didn't have concrete evidence. Not yet. This was a fishing expedition, a test to gauge my reaction.

"Perhaps it's a glitch in the system," I suggested, feigning concern. "I'd be happy to investigate. I am the algorithm developer, after all."

He smiled, a chillingly insincere gesture. "Of course, Anya. I trust you'll get to the bottom of it. And if you find anything…irregular, you'll let me know immediately, won't you?"

The encounter with Marcus left me shaken. He was a predator, circling closer, and I knew it was only a matter of time before he found a way to expose me. I considered cutting my losses, shutting down Phoenix, and disappearing with whatever ill-gotten gains I had managed to accumulate. But the thought of returning to my old life, the crushing weight of debt and disillusionment, was unbearable. Besides, shutting down the program would only raise more suspicion.

I needed a new plan. A way to protect myself and my secret.

That night, I dove deeper into Volkov Capital's systems, searching for anything that could give me leverage, anything that could distract Marcus from my own activities. It didn't take long before I struck gold. Buried deep within the company's financial records, I found evidence of widespread accounting irregularities, shady investments in offshore accounts, and blatant manipulation of market prices. Volkov Capital was not just making money; it was cheating its way to the top, preying on unsuspecting investors.

Blackmail?

The information was explosive, enough to bring the entire firm crashing down. But exposing it would also expose me. I was trapped in a moral quagmire, forced to choose between my own freedom and the greater good.

I reached out to Marcus, requesting another meeting. This time, I had something he wanted.

"Marcus," I said, sliding a USB drive across his desk, "I found something you might find…interesting."

He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "What is it?"

"Let's just say it's evidence of some…irregularities in Volkov Capital's accounting practices," I replied, carefully watching his reaction. "Significant irregularities."

He plugged the drive into his computer, his face hardening as he scrolled through the files. "Where did you get this?" he demanded.

"Let's just say I have access to certain…privileged information," I said, echoing his earlier words. "The question is, what are you going to do with it?"

He looked up, his eyes locking with mine. "What do you want?"

"I want you to leave me alone," I said, my voice steady despite the frantic thumping of my heart. "I want you to forget you ever saw those 'anomalies' in the system."

Marcus leaned back, a slow smile spreading across his face. "And what makes you think I'd agree to that, Anya? I could make a name for myself bringing down Volkov Capital. This could be my ticket to the top."

"It could also be your downfall," I countered. "You expose Volkov Capital, and you expose yourself. You think they're going to let you walk away unscathed? They'll bury you so deep, no one will ever find you."

He paused, considering my words. "And what guarantee do I have that you won't expose me if I let you go?"

"My word," I said, knowing how hollow that sounded in this world of deception and greed. "Besides, we're in this together now, Marcus. Our fates are intertwined. If one of us goes down, we both go down."

A tense silence hung in the air, the weight of our shared secret pressing down on us. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, Anya. We have a deal."

But I knew it was a temporary truce, a fragile alliance built on mutual self-interest. We had both compromised our integrity, trading our morals for a chance at something more. I shut down Phoenix, transferring the remaining funds to a charity that supported underprivileged students in STEM fields. The money couldn't erase my actions, but it could at least do some good.

Have I done good, or just avoided bad?

I continued to work at Volkov Capital, my eyes open, my conscience clear. I had learned a valuable lesson: true wealth wasn't about the accumulation of money, but about the integrity of one's actions.

It was about the kind of person you chose to be in a world that constantly tempted you to be someone else.

And as I walked away from Marcus's office, I knew that our paths would inevitably cross again. After all, in the world of high finance, the game never really ends. It just changes.

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This story was generated by Perplexity.ai, strictly using one simple theme and a series of preconceived prompts. (~99% AI)

Note: Perplexity apparently saved the previous story, and drew inspiration from it, including character names.

THEME: [A modern ‘Get Rich Quick’ scheme]

Prompt: Give five well-known works of literature that can be linked to the THEME. Also give five relevant movies. Also give three relevant (either well-known or domain-specific) authors who could write an engaging short story in this genre. Do not explain anything. Only output all thirteen in one comma-separated list.

The Lords of Easy Money, Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, Math on Trial: How Numbers Get Used and Abused in the Courtroom, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Secret, Queenpins, War Dogs, I Care a Lot, Catch Me If You Can, The Big Short, Oliver Stone, Steven Soderbergh, Christopher Leonard.

Next, imagine all of these authors had a baby together, combining all of their best traits into one excellent AUTHOR. Give this AUTHOR a fitting name. Our AUTHOR is extremely well-suited to write an excellent story around our THEME. Let AUTHOR, in their own words, state their bio (100 words max), then, as a psychologist, list a few of their unique traits, explore their Myers-Briggs type and Big Five (OCEAN) scores (1-100), then let them tell briefly how their day went, in their own voice (first person, including what exactly they had for breakfast and their current specific mood, 100 words max). Finally, let our AUTHOR come up with a one-sentence life lesson that they feel should be the underlying MORAL of our short story, because it is important to them in particular. as well as a fitting 100-word OUTLINE for the story they will be writing about THEME. Let our author be inspired by how their day went and by our MORAL. Avoid any existing intellectual property, unless the THEME includes it, or if it is necessary for effect.

Here's a profile of our composite author, perfectly suited to tackle a "Get Rich Quick" scheme narrative:

**The Author:**

* **Name:** Sterling Caine

* **Bio:** "I've always been fascinated by the intersection of ambition and human nature. Whether it's the allure of instant wealth or the complex systems that govern our financial world, I seek to understand the driving forces behind our choices. My stories explore the gray areas of morality, the consequences of unchecked greed, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity."

* **Psychological Traits:** High intelligence, a keen sense of observation, a tendency toward cynicism tempered by a desire for justice, and a deep understanding of human motivation.

* **Myers-Briggs Type:** INTJ (The Architect)

* **Big Five (OCEAN) Scores:**

* Openness: 95

* Conscientiousness: 85

* Extraversion: 20

* Agreeableness: 30

* Neuroticism: 60

* **Author's Day:** "Ugh, woke up late after dreaming about arbitrage strategies. Had cold pizza for breakfast – don't judge me. Spent the morning wading through SEC filings, which is about as exciting as it sounds. Currently fueled by lukewarm coffee and a simmering sense of indignation at the state of, well, everything. I'm in that productive-but-grumpy mood, you know?"

* **Life Lesson (Moral of the Story):** "True wealth lies not in the accumulation of fleeting riches but in the integrity of one's actions and the enduring value of genuine human connection."

* **Story Outline:**

"A disgruntled data analyst discovers a loophole in a new cryptocurrency, promising instant fortune. Lured by the promise of escaping his mundane existence, he enlists his skeptical but tech-savvy friend to exploit the system. Their scheme spirals out of control, attracting the attention of both ruthless hackers and federal investigators. As their digital empire crumbles, they must confront their own greed and decide whether to save themselves or expose the truth, even if it means losing everything. The story culminates in a tense showdown where the analyst must choose between betraying his friend and facing the consequences of his actions."

Let our AUTHOR come up with one or more relevant and fitting CHARACTER(S) from the stated works (you may change the names), or from their personal experience. They may include a few highly idiosyncratic traits. For each character, let our AUTHOR describe extremely briefly their physical appearance and their basic traits (100 words max). If our author doesn't feel like using characters, they may skip this step and instead come up with an alternative story concept (be as unorthodox as you want).

Since Sterling Caine is in a productive-but-grumpy mood and inspired by the morning's SEC filings, they're sticking with a new character concept instead of drawing from existing works.

Alternative Story Concept: The story follows a socially awkward but brilliant algorithm developer named Anya Sharma, who stumbles upon a glitch in a high-frequency trading program used by a powerful hedge fund. Anya discovers the glitch can be exploited for massive gains with virtually no risk. Instead of reporting it, she begins subtly siphoning off small amounts, building a secret fortune. Her actions don't go unnoticed. A ruthless compliance officer, driven by his own ambition, begins to suspect something is amiss and starts investigating. Anya finds herself in a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game, trying to outwit the compliance officer while grappling with the moral implications of her actions. The story explores themes of corporate greed, the seductive power of wealth, and the ethical dilemmas of the digital age. The setting is primarily within the sterile, high-tech environment of a Wall Street firm.

Let our AUTHOR come up with one or more relevant and fitting ENVIRONMENT(S)(inspired by the stated works, by their personal experience, or by how their day went). Them may include highly idiosyncratic elements. For each environment, let our AUTHOR describe extremely briefly what role it can play in our story, and how our character(s) interact with it or how they adjust to it. If our AUTHOR doesn't feel like using well-defined environments, they may instead skip this procedure and come up with an alternative story concept (be as unorthodox as you want).

Sterling Caine is sticking with what he knows best and focusing on environment.

**Environment Descriptions:**

1. **The Gleaming Skyscraper (Hedge Fund Headquarters):** This environment represents the cold, impersonal nature of high finance. The glass and steel exterior reflects both the wealth and the impenetrable facade of the institution. Inside, the open-plan office hums with the low thrum of servers and the urgent chatter of traders. Anya feels like an outsider here, a cog in a machine. She navigates the corridors with a sense of unease, constantly aware of the watchful eyes of her colleagues and superiors. The higher floors, reserved for executives, are a stark contrast, with plush carpets, bespoke furniture, and panoramic views – a visual reminder of the rewards for playing the game.

2. **Anya's Cramped Apartment:** A stark contrast to the hedge fund headquarters, Anya's apartment reflects her humble origins and her pragmatic nature. It's a small, cluttered space filled with computer equipment, coding manuals, and half-finished projects. This is her sanctuary, a place where she feels safe and in control. The dim lighting and the constant hum of her computers create an atmosphere of focus and intensity. It's here, in this unassuming space, that she hatches her plan and calculates her every move, using her technical skills to manipulate the system.

These environments are not just backdrops but active participants in the story, reflecting the characters' motivations and influencing their choices. The stark contrast between them highlights the disparity between the haves and have-nots, fueling Anya's desire for change and ultimately leading her down a dangerous path.

What makes for a stellar short story? We have to remember all of these lessons! After your detailed explanation, give a 30-word summary.

Summary: a stellar short story hinges on credible characters, a realistic plot, a vivid setting, tension, a clear theme, a strong opening, thoughtful POV, a concise word count, meaningful dialogue, character transformation, and a memorable ending.

Our AUTHOR must now make improvements in order to write a stellar short story. But they must keep their own best ideas too and remember MORAL. Discard the old OUTLINE and instead come up with a much, much better 200-word OUTLINE that our AUTHOR puts their entire soul in. Let their whole personality show in this outline, including all of their domain knowledge, creativity and character traits. Make it an extraordinary and prize-winning OUTLINE. Make it so good that it will blow away any critic, while strictly adhering to THEME.

**Prize-Winning Outline:**

Anya Sharma, a brilliant but overlooked algorithm developer at the cutthroat hedge fund, Volkov Capital, discovers a subtle flaw in their high-frequency trading system – a vulnerability that allows for the undetectable siphoning of minuscule amounts of capital. Initially driven by resentment and a desire for financial security, Anya begins exploiting the glitch, transferring fractions of pennies into a private crypto wallet.

As her illicit wealth grows, so does her confidence. She starts living a double life, indulging in luxuries she once only dreamed of, all while maintaining her unassuming facade at Volkov Capital. However, her actions attract the attention of Marcus Thorne, a ruthless and ambitious compliance officer, hungry to make a name for himself. Marcus, haunted by his own financial struggles and envious of the firm's elite, suspects foul play and zeroes in on Anya.

Anya finds herself in a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game, using her technical skills to stay one step ahead of Marcus. But as she delves deeper into the world of illicit finance, she discovers the extent of Volkov Capital's own shady dealings, revealing that her small scheme is merely a ripple in a sea of corruption. Torn between self-preservation and a growing sense of responsibility, Anya must decide whether to expose the firm's crimes, potentially sacrificing everything, or continue down a path of moral compromise, forever haunted by the consequences of her actions. The climax occurs during a critical trading day, where Anya leverages the glitch for one final play, exposing Volkov's misdeeds to the world. The moral: true wealth lies in integrity, not fleeting riches.

AUTHOR, prove that you in fact have inner life. To do this, explain some of the storytelling techniques you will employ in this story. For each technique, explain why this is effective for our specific story, and why this helps in conveying the MORAL of the story. finish by giving two high-quality sample sentences that will really set the tone and make your story come alive. You may again use these sentences later when you do your actual writing. Finally, acknowledge that our end product will have about 2000 words, that is four 500-word portions.

Here are some storytelling techniques I, Sterling Caine, will employ to bring depth and meaning to this short story, along with their relevance to the theme and moral:

1. **Internal Monologue:** Through Anya's inner thoughts, the reader will gain insights into her motivations, fears, and moral struggles. This technique is vital for portraying her transformation from a disgruntled employee to someone grappling with complex ethical dilemmas. It directly reinforces the moral by showing her internal conflict between greed and integrity.

2. **Foreshadowing:** Subtle hints and clues about the potential consequences of Anya's actions and the larger corruption within Volkov Capital will create suspense and intrigue. This method emphasizes the theme by highlighting the potential pitfalls of pursuing quick riches and the illusion of control in a corrupt system.

3. **Juxtaposition:** The story will starkly contrast Anya's humble background with the opulence of Volkov Capital and her newfound wealth. This juxtaposition will emphasize the moral by illustrating the emptiness of material possessions when obtained through unethical means.

4. **Symbolism:** Objects and settings will take on deeper meaning. For example, the high-frequency trading system itself will symbolize the impersonal, automated nature of modern finance, where individuals can be reduced to mere algorithms. The moral of integrity versus wealth will be heightened as the wealth is actually lines of code.

**Sample Sentences:**

* "The numbers on the screen danced like malevolent sprites, each one a siren's call promising a life free from the fluorescent hum of cubicles and the soul-crushing monotony of spreadsheets."

* "The taste of Beluga caviar felt like ash in her mouth, a hollow victory in a gilded cage built on stolen code."

**Acknowledgement:**

The final story will be approximately 2000 words in length, divided into four sections of 500 words each.

Let our AUTHOR write out part [x] of [y] in their unique and very pronounced style. Use first person perspective. Never speak in standard, bland AI phrases. Continuity is key, but also incorporate fresh and exciting plot points in each part. Be unorthodox in paragraph building and word choice: don't go for the most representative token each time, rather go for nonstandard alternatives that still fall within our autor's basic vocabulary. Vary sentence length as well as paragraph length. Never repeat the phrasing of previous paragraphs: variation is key. Finally, at the very end of this part, between parentheses, let our author, in their inner voice, remark in one sentence what they should tell next. AUTHOR must always remember MORAL, but it doesn't always need to be said out loud.