Jeffery and Xavier were computer programmers. They worked in the fiercely competitive computer gaming industry. They worked for the same company and were competing for the title of best game programmer. They had been assigned to come up with the next greatest video game sensation. This placed them in head to head competition.

The company knew the value of being the first to market the next great video game. It offered a bonus of 1 million dollars and 10% royalty to the owner of the game selected for marketing. It was a large sum of money but the company stood to make 20 or 30 times that amount if the chosen game was successful. Both Jeffery and Xavier had already labored for the past year to create the game of the century.

Each guarded their game secrets with the tenacity of a CIA agent. No one except them knew the full programming of each game. They knew that one slip of the tongue could not only cost them the money, but their reputation as a programmer as well. Jeffery knew that Xavier was better at some aspects of programming than he was. He compensated for his shortfalls by working extra long hours.

In the face of competition he never led on that he was weak in some programming areas. Jeffery did not let his weakness keep him from competing. They both wanted to win the contest, which they knew, would instantly boost them to fame in the game industry. The two talked occasionally but were very careful to stay away from game secrets.

The judging day was fast approaching. Jeffery felt himself starting to loose energy. He also knew that Xavier was just as energetic as the day they started. By the week before the judging day Jeffery was totally exhausted. The long hours without sleep were taking their toll.

He noticed that Xavier was going strong and he wondered how he was keeping up his energy. One day while at work, Jeffery took a bathroom break. When he walked into the bathroom, he saw Xavier taking some pills. He said what you got a cold man? Xavier said no; these help me stay awake.

Jeffery suddenly knew how Xavier was managing to keep his energy. Jeffery thought for a second. Then he said, man thats cheating. Xavier said there are no rules against taking a few pills to keep you awake. He said, the company just wants the game produced. They do not care what you do to get it done.

Jeffery said we will see. I will tell the judging committee, that you had an artificial advantage. Xavier did not really know the company rules. He just said that to bluff Jeffery, but it did not work. Jeffery insisted that Xavier would be disqualified.

Xavier knew what was at stake so he moved closer to Jeffery. He looked in his eyes and said, I am not about to loose all that money. Without thinking, he grabbed Jeffery and they struggled to the floor. Jeffery knew Xavier wanted to hurt him bad and he had to defend himself.

They fought fiercely for the next few minutes. They fell to the concrete floor and the fight continued. They were both bleeding from the scraps all over their bodies. They continued to struggle.

At that moment, a security guard that was making his rounds walked into the restroom. He saw what was going on. The two were so deeply engaged in the struggle that they did not notice him.

He called for help on his radio. Three other guards arrived in a few seconds. The guards manage to stop the fight. They detained the individuals and called the police. The two were taken to jail.

While in jail, all they could think about was the time they were loosing on the games. Later that day a vice president from their company bailed them out of jail. Under normal circumstances they would have been fired but the company knew what was at stake.

If they fired them they might take the work they had already accomplished elsewhere. That would cost the establishment millions of dollars. Besides, Xaviers actions turned out to be well within the companys rules. The pills he took were not illegal. They both returned to work on the games. Judgment day finally arrived.

The games were so impressive that they were both chosen for marketing. The games were better than anything the company officials had ever seen. They were marketed and became a huge success. Both programmers became millionaires and the company made millions more.

Sometimes perceptions of wrongdoing can lead to violence. This is especially true in highly competitive industry. If competition turns violent you must be prepared to defend yourself.