This is such an awesome idea! – Vanna squealed, bouncing on her – I just know it's gonna work, girlfriend! And what exactly is this idea? – Evelyn asked – Maybe you could share it before you start celebrating? I'm gonna cover the whole yacht in money I got at a joke shop! I don't have that many real bucks, but since we're basically in a movie, the fake ones'll do just fine. It's going to be great! And why? – the camera operator asked Producers love diving into piles of money. Kids jump into ball pits — those people jump into cash! And I'm jumping for – Vanna giggled happily and wandered off to plan the rest of her scheme, not waiting for a response. At least someone managed to talk her out of covering the entire The idea's weird, sure, but why not? Content is content, - thought Flora, and realized she was starting to think like a seasoned pro. Whether that was good or bad — she hadn't decided yet. She went on surveying the hunting grounds, where the prey was supposed to be corporate wallets. Not in the pickpocket sense, of course.
Flora thought how brilliant it was that unstoppable Manu came up with the auction idea. And he didn't even need much in terms of props — just a single podium, and suddenly the whole thing
looked brand new. He didn't wear the usual top hat and tux, saying he wanted to keep it more casual (though the relentless Vanna brought him a pointer after her shopping spree, and he happily accepted it).
Why an auction, dear Flora? – Manu flashed a wide grin after Flora asked what the plan – The powerful of this world like to clash in three main arenas: tug- of- war in trade and diplomacy, the battlefield, and, of course — showing off whose credit card is better. And even though these things might look the same, what's inside them can be wildly different. One balance can be way bigger than the other.
So let's give them a chance to battle it out in their favorite sport — one that's warmed their cold little hearts since the dawn of capitalism. Let them flex their wallets.
Nobody disagreed, so the Hawaiian kept doing his thing while Flora's eyes nearly popped out watching a delivery truck approach the pier — nearly tipping into the water. A whole procession of workers jumped out and started lugging up the ramp... a punching machine. One of those old- school arcade boxing strength testers.
She actually dragged it here! I thought she was joking!- the director yelled in her head — and then immediately corrected herself: Peyota doesn't do She always drops truth bombs. Her words hit harder than any punch this machine will ever take. Buckle up, baby ma, I'm gonna give you a filthy show that'll leave all these posers and clout- chasers in the dust. I'm bringin' in the punch machine, and let's see which one of these rich fucks can prove where their balls really .. and if they do it literally, I swear I'm punching something else instead of that damn bag!
If I had more time, I'd have called in some of my boys, and we'd stage a badass match — like Lucha Libre, or badminton or heraldus. But those chicks and dudes — they've got real street lives. You gotta book 'em in advance.
Nope, you're going to lose! Lose, lose, looose... – Campus teased with his silky – Who always wins all the prizes? Me and only ME! You're gonna see such a freaking show, I'll take all your awards too! Glug. – The little demon's human attachment gulped from the bottle.
We weren't planning on giving out any awards… – Flora tried to protest, but Campus was already darting off toward the treasured box of boozy wishes.
If Peyota had kept her promise, there was no sign of it now, and the director was getting nervous – the VIP guests were about to arrive! Flora started explaining everything to the future film audience at double speed.
Caught up in chatter, she almost missed their arrival – only turned around when her auntie pointed it out directly:
Honey, I think someone just arrived, and maybe you could spare a bit of your precious time for Oh, right, thank you, Evelyn! – Flora blurted out awkwardly for probably the hundredth time, and made her way to the boat's grand entrance- exit combo. Other relatives were already making their way there – ones it was a little too soon to be thanking for anything.
There were just two of them.
And they traveled light, if you didn't count the basket one of them carried. Flavius, Vanna's uncle, was playing his namesake character today, allegedly a big shot from a powerful ad syndicate. And Leilani, Manu's much- younger cousin, accompanied her - boss- as his assistant. Except it looked more like she was the boss, chest out, charging ahead, while her - superior- lagged behind, nervously looking around.
Such showbiz heavyweights were a necessary evil – no one in their real circle actually knew any top- tier ad execs, much to Flora's disappointment. Still, she'd started to believe her team could
wiggle out of any mess. And maybe they could – after all, she'd panicked at first (as usual), got lost in the moment, and then cooked up this whole surrogate setup.
Good day, Flavius! Miss Assistant Leilani, my deepest respect to you as well! – She delivered her prepared line. The pale - ad rep- nodded rapidly, only to be instantly shoved aside by his - assistant.- So, where's the table? It's lunch o'clock on our – Leilani snapped, her tone pure diva – nothing like polite, mellow Manu.
Flora froze. She had told Vanna and Manu to pass on the plan: fun stuff first to win the agents over, then the food and business talk. But clearly Leilani decided to freestyle it – which, honestly, was exactly what you'd expect from a stuck- up employee of a giant brand, Flora grudgingly admitted.
Still, she whined internally:
You're breaking my script! Why?!
Luckily, the camerawoman stepped in without missing a beat:
Of course, right this Everything's ready – we can sit down and talk.
On the table, covered in a plain white lace- trimmed cloth, sat crystal punch bowls with fluted edges, already filled to the brim. Alongside were plates with classic Greek salad. And that was it. All of this had been borrowed (with permission) from the yacht owner. Now Flora started regretting how bare- bones it looked – but she really didn't want to ask Evelyn for more cash. Again.
And now she was paying for that choice, as Leilani scoffed at the offering, pushing it away with a sneer:
This is it?! Honestly, I'm starting to think you don't even want this contract. If this is how you prep for your - big- meetings… – Leilani's bangs covered half her face, barely held back by a massive silver Her beige satin dress clung perfectly to her lean, athletic body, and her feet – nails flawlessly manicured – were decked in high- end abaraxa sandals. She looked absolutely stunning.