“They knew armed guards would be required to protect their compounds from the angry mobs.”
Idiots. The thought of actually defending themselves never entered their minds. “
“But how would they pay the guards once money was worthless?”
That’s always the rub.
“What would stop the guards from choosing their own leader?”
Killing them, I suppose. But how would you do that if they have the guns?
“The billionaires considered using special combination locks on the food supply that only they knew”
That trick never works.
“Or making guards wear disciplinary collars of some kind in return for their survival...”
Good luck with that. Once again, the guards have guns.
L
They knew armed guards would be required to protect their compounds from the angry mobs. But how would they pay the guards once money was worthless?
Gold, jewelry, security for their own families. And if their families are behind them, they’ll be more willing to die for the place than if just working for money.
What would stop the guards from choosing their own leader?
Knowing how to defend yourself. Treating them well enough and being enough of the team that they see you as the leader.
The billionaires considered using special combination locks on the food supply that only they knew.
So either the billionaire has to unlock the food supply every day for the cook or the cook knows, and then it isn’t secret.
Or making guards wear disciplinary collars of some kind in return for their survival...
The men with guns will choose a new leader if you propose something like this. And they’ll be willing to kill you or let you die if they suddenly wake up with shock collars.