Bobby is slowly pulled into a conspiracy. First tempted by an article describing a new startup, he is contacted by a Mr. Johnson who has more information on the idea. He says can get Bobby in on it. The starting costs and risk will be high but the rewards would be much higher.
Drawn in he joined an elite group of wealthy business men and investors called the Silver Reserve. They work to gain influence and power over Chicago's industries and business.
Over the intervening years, Bobby is subtly tested again and again. A Mr. Samuelson tempts him with wealth with the hidden cost of a company's trust. Bobby helps Samuelson by getting the nephew of a government aide into a cushy job. And when the man abuses his post, Robert takes considerable effort to repair the damage.
Eventually he moves up in the conspiracy. His new boss, Mr. Samuelson, places Bobby with a bunch of equal level members then leaves for a long vacation. But his plane crashes somewhere in Arizona. Infighting erupts among the five cultists. Robert sees the trouble arising and decides to take the reins.
Shortly afterwards, Bobby again meets Mr. Johnson and is introduced to the true head of the Silver Reserve, Mrs. Tessler. Mr. Johnson says he is ready to be exposed to the truth. He creates a flaming rune in the air. The rune grows in Bobby's mind until...
Bobby find himself standing in an endless white space. As he takes it in, a man addresses him. “Welcome Bobby.”
The figure is dressed in a gold cloth suit and has skin that is utterly black, lacking even facial features. He acts like a game show host (complete with an audience of people that appears for applause). The figure congratulates Bobby on his success so far and offers him a spin at the wheel. The wheel has various riches listed on it: gold, rubies, personal limo, and so forth.
On his first spin he gets gold. The Host asks how much. “All of it.” Then a mountain of molten gold is poured over him.
Bobby comes to his senses screaming. The Host is looking at him expectedly. “Are you ready? The other contestants are waiting for their spin?”
The others include the rotting corpse of a pope and a sickly old man with a neck brace and head wrappings. Bobby realizing that this will hurt begins to ask for less and less. Eventually the show comes to a close and Bobby (the winner) is brought forth to accept his prize. He is presented with a paper and pen. “Please sign here.”
After he signs, the host addresses him and the audience: “Thanks for playing. We'll see you again at next season's battle of champions.”
When Bobby comes to he finds the room is a mess. Two strange people are looking around. Tessler is dead. Johnson is gone. He flees but eventually a strange woman comes to his door. She enters his apartment through magical means and introduces herself as Athaliah. She forces him to realize what has happened to him and inducts him into the Silver Ladder as Mammon.