The driver barely had time to rush for the car door when a tall man leapt out. "Oh, this is so exciting, isn't it, Raphael!" The man bellowed. "Aren't you just excited?!"

  Raphael rolled his eyes. "Quite exciting, sir." He closed to the door and followed the man up the marble steps towards the castle-like front doors of the mansion.

  "I can feel it! This is going to bring diversity. Diversity means acceptance and crowds. I will own half the world after this merger!" The man laughed, jumping 2 steps at a time. He entered the building and disappeared.

  ***

  The estate, large and well kept, towered over the garden surrounding. A small sedan drove through the gates, parking in the driveway. "Geez." The young man gawked, stepping out of the vehicle. He was no more than 20 with his blue eyes and shaggy brown hair. He had a light brown trench coat and black fedora. "It's like Thomas Kincaid threw up here." He walked along the cobblestones and up a grand marble staircase, pausing to star at the enormity of the courtyard. Flowers of every color spread along the cold earth as large trees hung over head, creating a tunnel of tranquility. He walked on in amazement, finally reaching the large ebony doors intricately carved with culture influences from around the world.

  The man reached for the red diamond knocker, echoing as it hit the base. A middle aged man wearing a well tailored tux opened the door. "May I help you?" The man asked stoically.

  "Yes, hi. I'm looking for someone called The Master? I, um, have an appointment. My name is Adam Bradford. I'm the biographer."

  "Ah, yes. Please come in, sir." He said, stepping to the side. "My name is Raphael."

  "Thank you." Adam walked in. His jaw dropped in amazement. His attention was at war with the majesty of the home's interior. A monstrous chandelier hung from a cieling 30 feet above them. Ivory tangled together in organized chaos with shining black opals streaming down like rain. "Is that..."

  "The ceiling was imported from the Sistine Chapel, yes." Raphael said. "May I take your coat, sir?"

  "Yes, thank you." Adam fumbled for his coat, still astounded by the museum of the world around him. Great statues from Thailand rivaled the complex floor designed from Italian wood.

  "Right this way, sir." Raphael said as he continued walking down the hall, twisting and turning like a maze. he finally stopped at a limestone archway. "Follow the tunnel. It will lead to the Master's chambers." He bowed and walked away.

  Adam looked down the torch lit winding staircase, sweating with hesitation. Taking a deep breath he took the first step, and continued down. Minutes passed as the path whirled in every direction in a way that seemed architecturally useless. Finally, he came to a large room. A museum of ancient sculptures, relics, paintings, and fossils. Books in every language lined the walls, all in pristine condition, despite their ancient look. A massive fireplace lit the room creating a silhouette of a tall man. "H-hello?" Adam asked timidly. "Are you The Master?"

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  The silhouette turned to face him.

  "Adam, was it?" The man whispered cheerfully. "I'm so delighted of your interest in my estate. You may call me, Pride. I think we both know why you are here, so let's skip the polite pretense, yes?" Pride chuckled and gestured to a seat in front of the fireplace. "What can I do for you?"

  "Yes. Yes, sir. Thank you for agreeing to this interview." Adam stammered as he walked to the chair and sat down. Adam tried to calm his nerves as the silence began to grow.

  "Well, are you going to ask me something?" Pride said.

  "Yes, of course." He said as he pressed record on his tape player. "Please state your full name."

  "Pride."

  Adam waiting for a moment, but, soon realized Pride was the only name he was getting. "Well, thank you. Um, Pride, where were you born?"

  "I was created in the beginning, before we realized the end. I made my debut when the first star fell from heaven. I was the first, you know. I have always loved that about myself. Such a lovely title." He said, waltzing around the room.

  "When you say "the first", what do you mean?"

  "Oh, come now. Surely you don't think I am the only one. There are others like me, however common they may be. Do you know what the best thing about Pride is, Adam? It's the cunning lack of ability to realize when it swells within you. For example, when I was born, my creator was not aware of it. I have traveled this earth far longer than humans. By the time my creator realized how I came to be, he used that knowledge in an attempt to further his advances towards the destruction of the heavens. The others, of course, are not as aware of their existence as I am the wisest, you see, having been since the beginning. I know much about many things, including you."

  Adam shifted in his seat, looking nervous.

  "Relax boy. This interview is for me, about myself and my achievements. Please, continue with your questions."

  Adam tried to relax. "When-" he rubbed his forehead, forcing himself to think, "When did you move here, to Cairo?"

  "I came here 592 years ago, just before the plague actually. Nasty thing. For everyone else anyways, as I, of course, am immune to such mortal wounds."

  Adam stared at the man calling himself Pride. He wondered whether he should run or just continue with the insanity. He decided quickly that a crazy sounding interview with the wealthiest man in the world was better than no interview at all. He decided to play along. "Well, we're glad you pulled through!" he chuckled. "That's wonderful, just wonderful. So, you are known for collecting impossible artifacts and relics, how did you collect them all? Were some that have been impossible to acquire?"

  "Pride quickly turned, agitated. "Nothing is impossible for me, you silly little man! Haven't you been listening? I am the first. I was created before the kingdom of man itself!" He paused to take a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "I acquired these things in many ways. Money, trades, a lot of them I happen to be present for and it creating and merely decided to keep for myself. Everything is original, nothing is fake. Did you notice the Sistine Chapel ceiling at the entrance? I had to trade Benito Mussolini a country's worth in precious gems to get it here, as well as the cost of building a replica so no suspicious would arise." He chuckled. "Humans can be so pretentious."

  "One final questions, sir, if I may, what is your favorite piece?"

  A sinister smile creeped along Pride's face. "Isn't it obvious, dear boy? Of course, my favorite and most valuable relic in my collection, is me. The first of the 7 sins."

  Adam stared at Pride with goosebumps crawling along his skin. "Thank you for your time, sir." He said and quickly left.