Thread: Paradise Isle  (Fades & Good Girls)

The cameras couldn't stop snapping. From the moment he stepped on stage, Jeffrey Tremonti of Innovation Inc. had everything pointed at him, from the live feeds to the flashes. From the magazines, to MSNBC, to FOX, to members of talk radio - even YouTube was here, streaming the event. A thousand microphones were thrust into the air. A thousand voices rose in cacophony, causing none of them to rise at all. He smiled, that charming smile. He raised a commanding hand, palm extended. You know, he said into a microphone, his own that was up at the classy, clear podium to one side of the stage, if we're all going to talk at once, then everyone's saying , no one's listening . This got a round of light laughter. Most quickly quieted down, but a few quickly seized the opportunity to be heard. Mr.Tremonti. Gabriel Greene, Yahoo News. What do you think of all the rumors that this is a publicity stunt, or that slavery in 2019 is a human rights violation? Well, it's not 'slavery,' though that may be an easy, quick word to define it. It's 'consensual servitude,' with consent being the most underlying part. And if this is all a publicity stunt, aren't you all just as guilty? That brought another light round of laughs. Mr.Tremonti. Chelsea Amo're, Vanity Fair. How can you possibly call it 'consent' when and woman who accepts your terms is never allowed to change her mind? Because that's what contracts are, sweetheart. He snickered, And with fine, thick lips like that, if you raise up a step or two on the social ladder, maybe there's a contract sitting here for you too. He winked. Her face grew vibrant red, though out of embarrassment or fury, it was hard to say. Everyone had another chuckle. No. See. Here's how it works. I was very clear in my initial interviews two weeks ago, and in that timeframe the talking heads and the Op-Ed pieces all managed to twist it into what they wanted, or needed, to make it out that this is something it isn't. Innovation is a company I started from the ground up when I was nineteen. I've been fortunate enough to amass four-hundred billion , and we're at a rate where we're making north of thirty-five million a day. We're on record as treating our employees great - look, we're the number six-ranked in the country for that, number six - and we donate to charity more than any other company in our field. I've accomplished an incredible amount. And I'm going to enjoy the fruits of that labor. My name is still on the checks, I'll still be involved in high-level decisions, but the day-to-day will be handled by other members of Innovation's board while I enjoy semi-retirement. In doing so, I'm going to use the money I've accumulated to purchase the companionship of the finest in the world, much as one would hire the best chef, or the best mechanic. Patricia Teller, New York Times. Why not just extend an invitation then? Why the need for 'contracts,' as you call them? He shrugged, Because I want something more long-term. Look, this is something happening entirely of each person's own consent. There's no force. There's no coercion. My answers are now as they were when this was first announced, that I'm prepared to offer an excessively generous check to the charity of the lady-in-question's choosing in payment for her agreeing to embrace this idea together, the amount of which will be weighted fairly depending on her level of fame. Jonathan Harris, ABC News. Doesn't this kick wide open the door though, reintroducing the possibility of slavery again to the civilized world? Well, I mean, Jonathan. I get what you're saying. I get what you're saying. 'Kick wide open'? No. Creak it? Nudge it a crack? That would be a fairer question, but even then I would argue that. I would argue there's a line, and we're all adults and we all understand that the line is at free will - something that, once they've signed on the dotted line, they're no different than a professional painter, or Broadway actor, or anyone else who's agreed to perform a very specific service for an allotted period of time. Michelle Yeoh, Playboy. Isn't 'one-hundred years' of allotted time bordering on insanity, though? No, he said simply. See, here's the thing - that's just lawyer-speak. In the same way someone can be on trial for 'ten lifetimes' and other such nonsense, it's to get the point across that this is 'going forward.' You can't really put 'for the rest of your life' into a written contract, it just doesn't work that way. Because that would be slavery, right? ...Christopher Murdoch, The Daily Show. Jeffrey rolled his eyes. Yeah. That would be. I'm sorry, what were you? Daily Show? I miss Stewart. Anyway, who left the window open? Aren't snowflakes supposed to be outside? This brought a sharp round of laughter from some, even cheers, while a number of others all started talking into their microphones all at once. Look, look, can you cut their mics? Cut everyone's but the podium, as he looked off to someone working a booth off to the side of the room. Jeffrey looked back to the crowd, Listen, everyone, listen. Calm down. I've already given a number of interviews - that's not what today is. Today is a happy day, a fun day. Today is for the big reveal. Whether current 2019 culture likes it or not, I've decided to use my money to trade for the companionship of any high-end celebrity that wants to forego her current life and life in pampered luxury. You may say it's sexist, and by your definition, maybe it is. But isn't the Left all about two people being allowed to do what they want, so long as it's with consent, and no one is being hurt? We're actually here helping people, so if you really believe your base, you'd be putting your hands together in applause. Can I see some applause from those here to help celebrate all this great charity today? The crowd was split. Plenty did applaud. Others simply remained quiet, red-faced and obviously searching for a response. Jeffrey stood there, up at the podium, smirking at the crowd. He glanced off to the side, off stage, to the first girl to make sure she was ready. He gave her a smile and a wink, then looked back to the crowd - they hadn't even actually 'met' yet, officially, he and any of his lovely volunteers, but they were all backstage now, and had had all afternoon to get to know one another leading up to this big reveal. He stood there, early forties, tousled dark brown curls atop his head and a light jawline beard and mustache. His clothes were respectable, professional, but not too official silk burgundy collared shirt and black Armani dress slacks. The sleeves on his shirt were undone at the cuffs, rolled loosely to his elbows, and on his left wrist was a brown watch whose face seemed to shine with near every angle of the light. He smirked, reaching up, adjusting a matching-colored set of brown glasses. Inwardly, to himself, away from the microphone and with a smirk, he spoke, I swear, stockholder meetings are one thing. A few more minutes of this shit and I'll be sporting my first wrinkle. He stepped back to the clear podium. Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that's enough questions. Remember, today is all about major life decisions, about respect and, most of all, a celebration! Whether or not you or your organization agree personally , I would like to think we're all adult enough to be professional , and that we're all human enough to understand...that eight-hundred seventy-five million is about to be donated, between four different checks. There was a gasp. Following that, some broke into cheers. Others into questions, though with their microphones cut it was an easy enough din to speak over. Ta-da! The big reveal, right? Everyone's been speculating, the last two weeks - who's it gonna be? Who would accept? I'm happy to announce that we have four beautiful young ladies here today, all stars in their own right, and that between them we're looking at a little shy of a billion dollars going to some really great causes. But that's enough from me, isn't it? Who, right? They're each going to share a moment with you in their own words. But who? ...Ladies and gentlemen, it's my distinguished honor, my pleasure, to introduce to you first... Miss Emilia Clarke ! His arm gestured out to the far side of the stage, inviting her on. The flash of the cameras began before she could even appear.