The statistomat pitch

A sharp‑dressed salesman bursts into a hotel room, raincoat slung over his forefinger, to deliver a polished pitch for a new “Statistomat” – a slick, computer‑driven system promising personalized estate planning. He slides out glossy charts, comparing the imagined fortunes of two heirs, and argues that wealth carries a social duty as well as a personal desire for security. The narrator, a seasoned financier, watches the presentation with a mix of amusement and wariness, noting how the sales pitch mirrors the glossy promises of larger tech firms.

The encounter turns uneasy when the salesman produces an odd, bulky suitcase he claims holds the very computer behind the calculations. The narrator’s skepticism sharpens, and he questions the risk‑free guarantees offered, probing whether the device truly delivers the revolutionary returns it advertises. As the discussion deepens, the scene sets a tone of corporate satire, hinting at the uneasy dance between wealth, technology, and the persuasive language of sales.