The Chairman took control of the cart and wheeled it out of the room. I followed him into a modern hallway of offices with glass walls and doors. Looking in, I saw that very few of the offices had desks. Instead, most of the offices were crafting stations with a wide variety of tools and many projects in various stages of completion.

Turning to me and seeing my expression, the Chairman began to speak. "What you see around you, Mr. Kitty, is the COM's training program. Acolytes may choose any number of crafts or professions and receive basic training sufficient to determine if it is an interest they want to pursue. Those showing skill and aptitude will given additional training, providing they agree to work with COM in our acquisitions and appraisals department. Some graduate from the program and eventually leave the COM to pursue their desires; others find a home here and make money on the side from their skills."

As he speaks, we pass a few people in priest outfits who appear to be looking in through the windows, checking on the trainees. The hallway isn't crowded, and it only takes a few moments before we reach an intersection. One way leads to more of the glass offices; opposite the hall is an iron grate door, which an attendant quickly opens. Addressing the attendant, the Chairman says, "Jimmy, please take us to admin level three."

"Yes, sir!" Turning to me, he says, "Welcome, Mr. Kitty! Please enter; once I close the door, the lift will take us down."

Entering, I give the Chairman an inquisitive look. He laughs, "I told Jimmy to hold the lift as I was sure I would shortly return with you."

The lift descends, and we find ourselves in a glass shaft allowing us to look out at the first floor below the Church of Money. Coins of various kinds rain down from shutes into huge see-through storage bins designated for the common coins. In couples or quads, priests roam the floor with enclosed carts or weapons.

The Chairman starts speaking again, "The operating vaults can each hold up to twenty-five thousand coins of each of the primary metals we use in the city. The priests move coins between the operating and long-term vaults based on the flow. They will also move foreign currency based on the requests coming through special services. Of course, they also provide the second live security measure and are all highly trained combatants. Perhaps later, I can take you on a tour of the lockbox facility?"

"I would like that very much. Though I have many things to accomplish today - a raincheck?"

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"It's been a very long time since I heard that phrase, Mr. Kitty," replied the Chairman.

"Please, Jeb is fine," I replied.

He nodded, "Then I must insist you call me Kato." The lift continued, and the clear shaft transitioned into stone again. Two more iron grate doors go by before we stop at the third. Jimmy deftly opens the door, and Kato pushes the cart into a very short hallway. "My office is at the end of the hallway, and we will use the conference room behind the door on the left if you wouldn't mind."

"Of course not," and I step up and open the door. The room isn't overly large and could comfortably accommodate fifteen people. What's over the top is that everything in the room is gold - and I mean everything. Tables, chairs, shelves, cups, and pitchers. Everything I looked at was gold.

Kato enters and says, "Welcome to the Midas Room. While I am sure you aren't impressed, we find this space useful to impress upon others just how much influence the Church of Money can bring to bear."

"Kato, at the risk of being insulting, I must laugh at your statement. This room can't possibly convey your influence. I can't imagine anyone you invite here to impress knows that you control all of the COM branches and are simply a dragon hiding here in plain sight."

Smiling, "Well, there is that. I'm not surprised that you know. I am curious, did Nirvana tell you?"

"Nope. All it took was hours of research through the net while on a beach to find records around the founding of COM and images of you as the principal. Later, records showed you regularly at this branch. I didn't expect you to be looking for me. Though, in retrospect, I should have assumed that as one of the hidden powers, you would be looking at the events around Nirvan's Prophet."

Nodding, "Yes, well, it wasn't hard to put things together since you have only been seen in public with the explorers' leadership. Two cat beastkins with different appearances are not hard to associate as the same person - especially now that magic systems are available."

"Yes, well, I mean to do something about that today, too." And with that fortuitous opening, there's a knock at the door. After a brief pause, a couple of priests wheel in my lockbox. Looking at Kato, "Excuse me, this will be brief." I open my lockbox and sweep all its contents into my inventory. Addressing the priests, "Gentlemen, I am finished with it. Thank You." Without a word, they back out and close the door behind them.

"Now that the interruptions should be complete, would you like some tea?" asked Kato.

Sitting at the table adjacent to Kato, I nod. "That would be welcome. Have you talked with Nirvana recently?"

Finishing the tea preparation, "She sent me a notice about a week ago, letting me know she expected you to start traveling again. I took it upon myself to come to the COM daily, expecting that even if you didn't need money, you would probably come by."

"Nothing else?"

"No. I suspect you will ask for my aid in your plans. I am highly interested in the success of Nirvana's dream, and I am already inclined to aid you simply because Nirvana favors you." He passes me a cup. "Convince me."