continuation...

When E Benron Scrooge awoke, it was still very foggy and extremely cold, and there was no noise of people on Wall Street.

Keynes' ghost bothered him. He didn’t know whether it was a dream or not. Then he remembered that a spirit should visit him at the opening NYSE bell.

So instead of having a Brazilian butt, head and back wax, E-Benron Scrooge decided to lie awake and wait what to see what happens.

Suddenly, the NYSE opening bell struck. Light flashed up on his trading screen and a small hand drew back the curtains of his bed.

Then E-Benron found himself face to face with the visitor. It was a strange figure – like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old decrepit Randian fool.

“Who, and what are you?” E-Benron Scrooge asked the ghost.

“I am Maestro the Ghost of Busted Bubbles Past. Rise and come with me.”

The ghost took Scrooge back in time, to a place where E Benron Scrooge studied as a young PhD candidate. There Scrooge could see his younger self playing foolish market equilibrium games with other delusional central banker wannabes. They were cheerfully running around a cheap imported Chinese Christmas tree; and although they were hopelessly naive in their theoretical assumptions, they had lots of geek fun.

The spirit also took E-Benron Scrooge to a money printing factory where Scrooge was an apprentice. Scrooge saw the merry Christmas Eve they spent on the printing presses with his boss Mr Fuzzidice and his family. There was food and music and dancing and everybody was happy.

Then the spirit took Scrooge to yet another place. Scrooge was older now. He was not alone, but sat by the side of a beautiful young girl. There were tears in her eyes. “It is sad to see,” she said, softly. “that yet another moron has displaced me – the love of fools gold. Your heart was full of real gold once, but now …? I think it is full of QE crap. Fiat fraud begets fraud...swindle begets swindle...error begets error and the whole cycle soon becomes woebegotten. May you be happy in the lunatic path you have chosen.”

“Spirit,” said Scrooge, “show me no more. Take me home. Why do you torture me?”

“One shadow more,” said the ghost.

They were in another scene and place; a room, not very large or handsome, but full of comfort. There was a happy group celebrating Christmas with all their warmth and heartiness. Scrooge recognized his former girlfriend. She was married now and had children. Sweetheart said her husband with a smile, “I saw an old friend of yours this afternoon. E-Benron Scrooge it was. I passed his office window; and as it was not shut up, and he had a candle inside, I could see him there. His QE plan to revive the economy is faltering miserably and there he sat alone. Quite alone in the world, I do believe.”

“Spirit,” said Scrooge in a broken voice, “Take me back! I cannot bear it any longer.”

He struggled with the ghost to take him back.

And finally Scrooge found himself in his own bed again. He was very exhausted and sank into a heavy sleep.

SPECIAL UPDATE: MR NEUTRON RETURNS