An interview with Groupon resident Michael Ward: Video

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Frank Sennett opens his story on Chicago's coupon-a-day money maker Groupon with a bizarre scene: the Groupon CEO in an altercation with a man who is blasting Van Halen from a studio apartment within the Groupon offices. It's either evidence that doing business in the world of online coupon-ing benefits from a healthy imagination or that strange visions are par for the course when spending days on end in front of a computer monitor trying to sell coupons to people. Curious about the man and his apartment, I arranged to meet "Michael" at the space which he sometimes occupies at 600 W Chicago Ave. After our meet, Groupon provided me with the following background on the situation with Michael and Groupon's offices. Take that for what's its worth.

Michael Ward has been living in this office space since before Groupon existed. While living here, he keeps mostly to himself and doesn't interact with Groupon employees, almost never being seen. He pays rent to live in this office space, which is paid out of a trust fund, which he doesn't, but seems to have mysteriously dried up recently and, as such, currently owes Andrew Mason a back debt of 12.5 million dollars. A dispute over this debt prompted Michael to flee Groupon. A team of Groupon employees has been assembled to track down Michael, who is unfit to survive in the real world. They come closer to his whereabouts everyday by solving cryptic riddles and scavenger hunt-style clues that we suspect Michael is leaving for them. In his few communiques he has hinted at psychosis via mentions of a "head daddy," his erstwhile father whom he claims is living in his mind. It is very important that this team track down Michael to ensure his safety.