This is my contribution to Monday’s finish the Story, hosted by Barbara Beacham.

Finish the story starts with: “What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.”

Oscar read aloud the words which had greeted him each morning for the past 20 years at Hardwyke Forsythe and Rogers.

He turned to face the year’s new recruits, with their freshly ironed shirts, trim haircuts and unblinking expressions.

He looked down at his own clothes and noticed a blob of yesterday’s dried ketchup resting against his paunch. He flopped back into his seat and opened the orientation manual, before promptly slamming it shut again.

“So who can tell me what we do here?” “Yes. Simon?” He glanced down at his watch before meeting Star Eager Beaver’s eye. Two more minutes to a smoke break.

“We educate people learn about new products and services sir.” A chuckle escaped his lips.

“We sell dreams, son. We sell hopes and dreams in jars and tubes, and people buy them for whatever outrageous amounts of money we ask. Welcome to advertising school. Don’t believe a word of it.”