A Diamond as Big as the Ritz

The story begins with John T. Unger, a boy from the small town of Hades, Missouri. John is sent to an elite boarding school in Boston, where he quickly befriends Percy Washington, a wealthy and mysterious classmate. Percy invites John to spend the summer at his family's estate in Montana, boasting that his father owns a diamond as big as the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. John, intrigued by Percy's claims of unimaginable wealth, eagerly agrees to accompany him.

The journey to the Washington estate is an adventure in itself, filled with mystery and luxury. Percy’s home is hidden away in the Montana wilderness, accessible only by private train and guarded by an elaborate security system. As they travel deeper into the estate, John begins to realize that Percy's claims of wealth were no exaggeration—his family lives in a world entirely disconnected from reality, where vast riches are taken for granted.

Upon arrival, John is overwhelmed by the beauty and extravagance of the Washington estate. The mansion is a palace of opulence, constructed from rare materials and adorned with lavish furnishings. The surrounding grounds are equally impressive, featuring vast gardens, fountains, and sculptures, all crafted from precious stones and metals.

John soon meets Percy's father, Braddock Washington, a man who views wealth not as a means to an end, but as an end in itself. Braddock is a man of immense power, entirely detached from the concerns of the outside world. He explains to John that his family has kept their wealth a secret for generations, using their fortune to construct an impenetrable fortress of luxury, far from the prying eyes of the government or other outsiders.

Braddock's greatest treasure, however, is a mountain made entirely of diamond. This incredible wealth has allowed him to manipulate and control the world around him, bribing officials and maintaining a private army to protect his estate from anyone who might discover its secrets. John, while fascinated by the splendor around him, begins to feel uneasy about the lengths to which the Washington family has gone to preserve their wealth.

As John spends more time with the Washingtons, he becomes increasingly aware of the moral and ethical implications of their lifestyle. He discovers that the family has gone to extreme lengths to keep their fortune hidden, including imprisoning and even killing those who stumble upon their estate. John learns that many of the servants working at the mansion are actually prisoners, held captive to ensure that the Washington family's secret remains safe.

Despite his growing unease, John is captivated by Percy's sister, Kismine, a beautiful and intelligent young woman. The two quickly fall in love, and Kismine confides in John that she, too, feels trapped by her family's wealth and isolation. She reveals that her father plans to kill John at the end of the summer, as he has done with other visitors to the estate, to ensure that no one can expose their secret.

John is horrified by this revelation and begins plotting his escape. He tries to convince Kismine and her sister, Jasmine, to flee with him, but the sisters are initially reluctant to leave their life of luxury. However, as tensions within the Washington family escalate, Kismine eventually agrees to run away with John.

Their escape is fraught with danger, as Braddock Washington and his private army attempt to stop them. In the chaos, John and Kismine witness the destruction of the Washington estate. The family’s wealth and power, once seemingly indestructible, crumble under the weight of their greed and paranoia. Braddock Washington, unwilling to let his fortune be discovered by the outside world, attempts to destroy the diamond mountain using explosives. The resulting explosion kills him and destroys the estate, leaving nothing behind but ruins.

John, Kismine, and Jasmine manage to escape the destruction, but they are left penniless and uncertain of their future. The story ends with John and Kismine contemplating their new life, free from the trappings of wealth but unsure of what lies ahead. While they have lost the material comforts of the Washington estate, they have gained the freedom to live their lives without the oppressive influence of greed and secrecy.

Ultimately, "A Diamond as Big as the Ritz" is a commentary on the corrupting influence of wealth and the lengths to which people will go to protect their fortunes. The Washington family, blinded by their greed, isolates themselves from the world and sacrifices their humanity in the process. In the end, their wealth brings about their downfall, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and privilege.

The moral of the story is clear: wealth can be a dangerous and corrupting force if not kept in check. The Washington family, in their pursuit of unimaginable riches, lose sight of what truly matters—human connection, morality, and the value of life itself. John, having witnessed the destruction of the Washington estate, understands that wealth alone cannot bring happiness or fulfillment. His journey serves as a reminder that true freedom comes not from material possessions, but from the ability to live one's life authentically and without fear.