Chapter 55
On Friday, The Challengers met one last time before the Saturday evening’s big event. Nearly all of the details had been put in sequence and anticipated problems ironed out.
“So, first action item:” Jax started the meeting off before it could be derailed by small talk, “Ken, Joel, how have the OnyxSocial videos done so far?”
Ken asserted himself as the leader of the pair, and Joel did not object, “All of the videos went up two days ago, and so far, we have over 20 million views across our 12 accounts and have generated nearly half a million new followers for Shortfin Mako.”
“My mom and her friends also posted links to Shortfin’s page, so that may have helped drive traffic as well,” June added. She wanted to make sure people knew she did more than just fill out the guest list for the event.
“As did a bunch of voice actors and podcasters that I know back home," Ashley couldn't help butting in before the topic was moved on from. "I think half a million is a good start. At least before we get traffic from the live portion of tomorrow’s event.”
“Indeed,” Jax responded, trying to sound leader-y. “Speaking of the live portion of tomorrow’s event, are we all good on music, Bobby?”
“Hell yeah, bro! We got a rockin’ band. And one of the members of said band just happens to be a DJ for exactly this type of a soiree.”
“Great! So far, so good,” Jax checked the first three items off his preparation list. “Okay… what’s next… OH! Of course. The venue. I know we were waiting for final approval and permits for that beach club near Miami, right Cecilia, Megan?”
“Yep!” Shocking pretty much the whole room, it was Megan who answered. Her voice was soft and shaky. It was clear that she hated public speaking. But she powered through, nonetheless, “The Turtle Beach Club and Resort. We still have one last permit that we are waiting on, but the manager of the club assured me that it’s more of a formality than anything else. He’s never seen the permit denied.”
Cecilia followed up with the vendor information unprompted, “The venue provides chairs, tables, and floral arrangements for a price, but we have the budget for it. And we got an amazing caravan of local food trucks donating their services for the night. We can park them along a section of the beach. It should be a really cool vibe!”
“Does the venue provide the PA for music and speeches?” Bobby asked. “Because I need to know if that’s something I need to source and set up.”
“I’m not sure,” Cecilia answered.
“Actually, yes,” Megan corrected. “They are setting up a small stage on the beach and have a PA system that will work for outside. The band will need their own amps and stuff for the instruments, but there will be a mixer provided with the overall system.”
“Wow,” Cecilia looked at her partner in awe. “You really did your due diligence, huh?”
Megan just flushed and looked at the floor.
“Anyway,” Jax swooped in to save the shy girl, “Promos, location, food, and dancing are covered, so…” he looked at his notes to find his next target, “Connor, Spencer, how’s the auction coming along?”
“Vee ‘ave some fun tings.. how you say.. lined up?” Spencer started off before Connor jumped in.
“Yep, we talked to some wineries out in Napa for wine and vacation packages, Fairytale Land donated two weekend getaways for families. We also got some signed sports memorabilia and some golf trips and gear. We have a little left over in our budget to grab some gift cards for the lower-end bidders. I was thinking we could make the amounts secret to get people bidding on what could be as much as 1,000 dollars or a little as 50.”
“That’s actually a really smart idea!” Jax agreed. “Good thinking! Okay, so last but not least: our celebrity guests. Bailey and June, whatcha got for me?”
Bailey started, “I’ve got some talent managers sending out invites to their clientele, but no bites yet, I’ll keep at it.”
“I’ve only fared slightly better,” June added. “My mom isn’t going to be able to make it, but she said a few of her Herald friends are going to try to come. I should have the list by tomorrow morning to send out a little hype video before the party.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“Hype video?” Joel said, unfamiliar with the concept.
“Yeah! We are gonna create a little video to post to our socials talking up how awesome the event is going to be.” She then gave a little teaser so Joel could understand, “The Turtle Beach Club’s gonna be lit tonight when Lil’ Zees shows up at the Shortfin Mako Debut Party with his friends Kidd Grimm and my bro Borealis!” Then, returning to her usual demeanor, June said, “You know, that sorta thing.”
“Ah,” Joel responded, now understanding how tomorrow was about to go in general. He wasn’t looking forward to having to be “on” all day. But he knew it was important to win, so he would do what was necessary.
“Just let me know as soon as you do,” Jax broke in, in an attempt to move the meeting along before every challenger made their own attempts at foreshadowing their hype videos. “Moving along, and last but not least, Ashley, do you have everything nailed down with Shortfin Mako and the charity?”
“Yep,” Ashley answered confidently. “The Oceanic Preservation Foundation is committed to, with their CEO, Katherine Wallace, introducing Shortfin for her big debut speech. We are donating 50 percent of the proceeds from the auction to their Foundation, and the other 50 will be spread out across Shortfin’s other charitable endeavors.”
“Great!” Jax said, checking off that last item from the to-do list and handing it over to Ralph for safekeeping. “Anything else before we adjourn for the evening and finish up any last-minute stuff?”
“Actually,” Ralph spoke up, “I have been working on a little project that will allow us to possibly work donations to OPF into followers for Shortfin.”
“Awesome,” Jax said apathetically. In his need to end the round-up, he seemed rather uninterested in what Ralph had to say. “Well, I’m sure it will help us get those numbers up! Okay, let's break for the night and get some good rest. We have a long day tomorrow.”
At that, everyone got up and began to head to their rooms for the night. When he saw that they were the last two in the common area, Joel grabbed his roommate by the arm, “Hey, didn’t you tell me you were in a band in Austin?”
“Did I?”
“Does Jax know this?”
“Not really sure,” Bobby grinned evilly.
“Your band is the band… for tomorrow night, isn’t it?”
“Why yes, Joel. It just might be.
“Bobby!”
“What? You worry too much, buddy. Besides, it’s well past time for the world to know the majesty that is Misfit Mimic.”
***
Lizzy was exhausted from her day of Invictus wrangling. Who knew, when they chose the stuffy, straight-edge, evangelical superstar, that he would turn out to be such a diva? “Invictus prefers to ride in the passenger seat. Invictus would like someone to remove the tomato from his sandwich. Invictus needs someone to wipe his ass.” And who talks about themselves in the third person? “Horizon is sick of Invictus being a whiny little bitch.” Ugh!
But they were currently beating that Challenger team. So far, The All-Stars had more than double the amount of followers for Invictus than The Challengers had for Shortfin Mako. Of course, those goody-goodies went with the social justice advocate over the super-marketable Hollywood starlet. Lizzy imagined that little actress girl over there was apoplectic over the decision. First, they nominated the Bradley boy as their leader, then they chose some barely known activist over a straight-up television star. She laughed out loud at the thought. Lizzy Morgan knew she would be the front-runner in this competition, but she never imagined the other competitors would make it so easy for her to win. It almost made what she was about to do unnecessary… almost.
Lizzy walked over to her door, locked it, and then did the same to the bathroom door. She didn’t need anyone barging in and hearing the conversation she was about to have. She grabbed her phone, pulled up the number she needed, and hit “call.” The phone rang a couple of times before a woman’s voice sounded through the speaker.
“Hello?” she asked, “Who is this?”
“Hello, governor. This is Elizabeth Morgan, Jasmine’s daughter. We met over the summer in The Hamptons, ma'am. I was wondering if you had a moment to chat about an illegal party being held in your state tomorrow night. I hear The Turtle Beach Club and Resort intends to have some food trucks, and their permit is still outstanding. I was wondering if you could review it and make sure it’s all in order if you understand what I’m asking.”
After a moment, the governor responded, “I believe I do, young lady. I would be happy to take a look. I believe we haven’t yet zoned that part of the beach for food trucks. I also believe the neighbors would be inconvenienced with a party of that size happening in the area. I will have my office reach out to the permitting department first thing in the morning.”
“Your office? Ma'am, I’m sure this requires a personal touch, does it not?”
The voice was aggravated in response but agreed to Lizzy’s demands, “Yes, Ms. Morgan. I will handle it myself. Now, unless there is anything else, I’m very busy.”
“Of course. Don’t let me disturb you from your golfing or whatever it is you do when the sun goes down,” Lizzy said flippantly. “And thank you for your time, I’ll make sure my mother knows how just how generous you have been with it, Governor.” Job done, Lizzy hung up the phone and smiled. “All in a day’s work.”