All The King’s Fools

In this dramatic monologue for older men from the play, “All The King’s Fools”, a corporate executive admits to his protégé that he lied about how he climbed the ladder of success.

RICHARD: You think I got here because I worked harder than everyone else? Because I deserved it? God, no. I got here because I played dirty. I lied, I cheated, I stole ideas. I shook the right hands and stabbed the right backs. And you know what? It worked.

But don’t let that fool you into thinking I’m proud of it. I’m not. You see these walls? This corner office? It looks like success, doesn’t it? But it’s built on quicksand. Every floor beneath us, every cubicle, is held up by lies, politics, and people like me who learned the game and played it better—or worse—than the next guy.

And now here I am. Sitting here, looking at you, like I’m supposed to teach you how to “make it.” I’m supposed to pass the torch, give you the wisdom I’ve collected along the way. But let me tell you something, kid—you don’t want this. Not like this.

You want my advice? Don’t become me. Find another way. A way that doesn’t leave you staring at yourself in the mirror at 3 a.m., wondering if any of it was worth it. Because this—the suit, the office, the fake smiles at the company gala—it comes with a price. A steep one.

Do you know what it cost me? My friends, my family, my goddamn soul. I thought I was chasing power, but all I was really doing was running away from my own fear—fear of being nobody, fear of being forgotten. And now? Now I sit here, at the top of the ladder, looking down at a life I burned to the ground to get here.

So go ahead. Take the promotion, climb the ranks. But just remember, every step you take in this place? It takes a piece of you. And one day, you’ll look back, and there won’t be anything left.

The view’s nice, though. I’ll give ya that. But don’t let the view fool you. It’s lonely up here, kid. Real lonely.

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