Was it, though? Flora hesitated. Vanna didn't seem the devious type… or did she?
The party zone was filled with a massive pile of banknotes — all denominations — forming an actual mountain. Vanna pointed at it with glee:
Everyone dreams of swimming in money, right?! Go ahead, jump in! — She opened a gate, and her uncle dove in like a fish. His assistant, grimacing, stepped through delicately and asked:
Okay .. what's the point?
A moment later she yelped and grabbed her thigh:
Who's whispering about pinching me?! Flavius, already resurfacing, danced on one leg: They're telling me they're going to bite! And someone said they'll grab my butt!
Leilani shouted the same and leapt out of the fake money pile. The PR agent screamed and bolted after her, yelling:
It's them! The ones who always wanted to kill me! They found me!
Once the chaos calmed, the corporate rep fled the yacht again, still not explaining what exactly he was afraid of. His niece filled in the blanks, without losing her sunny vibe:
Uncle's always like that! He's super sweet, just terrified of being followed by the Shadow People (This is such an urban legend). He literally flinches at his own shadow. Isn't that funny?
No one even smiled — not because they didn't want to, but because something moved. And not just doubts in Flora's mind about whether she started filming this circus too soon after nearly collapsing from exhaustion.
From the far end of the cash inferno, someone's head peeked out — wearing a cap. A hand emerged next to it, holding none other than the irreplaceable Campus.
Heh- heh, whew… tough crowd. I don't need air, but this meat sack nearly croaked in there. Surprise! Sorry, sexy — your thighs ain't as tasty as that nutjob's ass! Don't worry, ladies — I'd never touch without consent. But hey, a little whisper never hurt anyone.
And for the record — I'm here for Art, bitches! I'm that trash creature that crawled under Luke and Han on the Death Star!
Leilani, stunned, stepped back — and finally she could've used an oxygen tank. Vanna insisted she had no clue about the demon's scheduled appearance, and Evelyn even had to stop recording because she was convulsing with laughter.
Mild- mannered, peace- loving Flora didn't lose it often. Only when confronted with blatant injustice — then she went full- on Social Justice Warrior. Eyes bulging, she yelled:
You monster! You're objectifying women and men! One more incident like that and you're cut from the film. I promise
Seeing everyone staring at her now, she blushed and quickly apologized for the outburst. Campus replied:
Women — Men — sexy too. They/them? Hot. I love everybody! I love Humanity! Evelyn clicked the camera button and zoomed in again, announcing: Kids, let's move toward Our friend's dying to start the auction.
I've had the time of my No, I never felt this way before…-
A raspy voice wailed somewhere in the back. Turned out Peyota had borrowed a mic from the stunned singers and decided she wasn't gonna be bored today.
To this soulful soundtrack, and under the camera's steady gaze, Flora and Leilani headed to the auction stage, asking the others not to follow.
And, for once, people actually listened.
Not because you gained any authority, by the Vanna's calling her uncle, and that nutjob's robbing your table. — said Copy disapprovingly, glancing at Campus as he crept toward the loot, convinced he was invisible (this world clearly wasn't ready for such an assassin). Screw it! I'm done with this! — Snapped a random — No one told me I'd end up in an endless nightmare where people grab your damn body! You hear me?! We're not done, you freak! she screamed at her abuser, but there was a bigger task at hand, and no time for petty
Trying to smooth things over, Flora pointed to the small podium where Leilani's brother stood like royalty. The director signaled him to begin, and Evelyn shouted:
Can you keep it down, sweetheart? I promise we'll sing karaoke Just zip it for now, please.
Peyota pulled herself away from the mic, gave a cheeky - OK- sign, and, to stay entertained, shot a threatening glare at the Italian duo. They didn't flinch and were clearly ready for verbal combat.
I'm only tolerating this for — grumbled the assistant, and then fell silent as her brother fiddled with the wireless mic.
Smart guy! He thought of everything! Even hooked it up to the speakers and now— wait, what?! Autotune?!
Flora's thoughts were in a tizzy.
After some unintelligible gargling sounds, the newborn mumble rapper remembered the genre was dead and killed the voice mod. Then, clearing his throat dramatically, he launched into his grand mission:
Ladies and gentlemen! Today, and only today, a monumental event takes place—something never before seen in this glorious city! You have a once- in- a- lifetime opportunity to attend the fabulous Discount Fair!
And to spare you the agony of anticipation, let me introduce the first of three lots!
On the blue- tinged podium sat three bundles, each a different size and shape. Wrapped in bright silk, they lured the eye—and Manu knew it. With the flair of a seasoned magician, he pulled out a large top hat and announced:
Lot number one: this here headpiece. Just a top hat, no story, no fancy details, but excellent quality. — He kneaded the crown and — What soft plush! Premium stuff. Starting bid: ten bucks. Who's got ten?
Evelyn raised her hand. And just like that, the bidding was over. Everyone else was too busy, only random shouts from Peyota carried over:
I'll shove this hat down your throats, motherfuckers! — Though she wasn't actually — Hey! Who the hell you calling rude?!
That's it then! Going once, twice, sold to the lovely
Not the least bit embarrassed by the lack of engagement, Manu whipped off the second cloth. Underneath was a pink plush bunny, now sitting beside the hat.
Conceptual! — Flora and Leilani blurted in Copy frowned:
I'd even say—pathetic.
Still, despite its obvious, slightly desperate symbolism, the - concept- failed to spark much interest, except from Leilani (family bias), Flora (genuinely curious), Evelyn (forced to watch while filming), and Copy (who didn't care who she smeared with metaphorical manure).
Everyone else was doing their own thing:
Peyota, Camillo, and Lorenzo had bonded and were digging through a laptop, probably looking for new beats. Vanna had exited the yacht, chasing down her runaway uncle in a real- life round of Catch Me If You Can. And Campus sat by the table with a sad look, staring bitterly at the punch, clearly unimpressed—it was obvious he was more of a beer guy.
Starting price for the bunny: eleven Who's in? — Asked the auctioneer. Leilani raised her hand, and Flora countered. Then Flora strategically let Leilani win, sweetening her sister's already bitter day.
Sold!
Called — Winked the assistant agent, exuding smug superiority. Copy nodded approvingly:
That kind of move shows you're learning how to court potential partners. You're finally acting less dumb.
Flora was oddly flattered. She was so stunned by the rare praise that she almost missed Manu's next announcement:
And now, our final item. I must admit, I personally found it the least impressive of the three - goods. - Whether it'll interest you, we shall soon find — He lifted the last veil with theatrical reluctance, revealing a long piece of paper. — Can't read it from there? No problem, I'll explain.