ARMSTRONG MANOR – MEETING ROOM – MORNING
Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting colors across the oval table. Midas sat at the head, his golden hands resting on the wood.
"I have a mission for you."
Sharky crossed his arms. "Isn't the war now?"
"Before the war, we need allies."
Perfecto leaned forward. "Allies?"
"A man. Very rich. Very influential. His name is Yuji Suzuki."
Daek pulled out his phone. "Suzuki… the CEO of the Lecroix Group?"
"The very same."
William whistled. "He owns half the shopping malls in the district."
"Exactly."
Takuya raised his hand. "And what does he want?"
Midas handed over an envelope. "He's inviting us. To his water park."
Silence.
"…A water park?" said Daek.
"A water park."
Sharky stood up. "I'm not coming."
"Yes, you are."
"No."
"Sharky."
"I'm not putting my dick in a swimsuit for some guy who owns stores."
Perfecto burst out laughing. William started smiling. Takuya chuckled.
Midas didn't flinch. "You're all going."
He pointed to the envelope. "This is a diplomacy mission. We make a good impression. We laugh. We eat fries. And we sign the contract."
Sharky sat back down, grumbling.
---
THE WATER PARK – NOON
The sun beat down hard. Children ran everywhere. Giant inflatable rings floated on artificial rivers. Slides coiled toward the sky.
The Family arrived in a procession. Midas, in a Hawaiian shirt, his golden hands gleaming in the sun. Silva on his arm. Amélie behind him, in a summer dress. William, in leopard print swim trunks, sunglasses. Takuya, in sports briefs. Daek, in camouflage boxers.
And Sharky.
Sharky in a black swimsuit. Arms crossed. Head high.
"You're buff," said Perfecto.
"Shut up."
"No, I'm just saying it's impressive."
"Shut up."
"I'd like to have pecs like that."
Sharky pushed him into the pool.
SPLASH.
Perfecto emerged, spitting water.
"You're going to pay for that!"
He splashed water at Sharky. Sharky didn't move. The water bounced off his chest.
"Soaked," said Takuya.
William burst out laughing. Daek chuckled. Midas shook his head.
Yuji Suzuki waited for them on a VIP platform, surrounded by champagne bottles and exotic fruits. A round, smiling, bald man, a cigar in his hand.
"Ah, you're here!"
He came down, shook their hands. (He looked at Midas's golden hands with curiosity but said nothing.)
"Please, make yourselves comfortable. The park is yours today."
Waiters in swimsuits brought cocktails.
---
NEGOTIATIONS IN THE WATER
They settled into a hot tub. Midas leaned against the edge, his golden arms resting on the rim. Silva by his side. Yuji Suzuki across from him.
"So, Midas, what exactly do you want?"
"A partnership."
"A partnership?"
"The Gambling Agency provides security for your shopping malls. In exchange, you give us a percentage of sales."
Yuji Suzuki laughed.
"Why would I agree?"
"Because it's us, or the Diamond Platinum. And their methods are… less commercial."
Yuji Suzuki stopped laughing.
"I see. And you won't do what they do?"
Midas placed his golden hand on the head of an inflatable pink flamingo.
"We negotiate."
He withdrew his hand. The flamingo was gold.
Yuji Suzuki's eyes widened.
"…Deal."
---
ANECDOTES IN THE WATER
Meanwhile, the others were enjoying the water.
Takuya had challenged William: whoever could go furthest into the ice-cold water.
"You're crazy, that's deadly," said William.
"Are you scared?"
"No."
"Then go."
William jumped in. He immediately climbed back out, shivering.
"I'VE LOST FEELING IN MY LIMBS."
Takuya jumped in too. He didn't come back out.
They found him five minutes later, clinging to a rubber ring, talking to a lifeguard.
"I'm looking for my friend. He's tall, he has black glasses."
"Sir, you're in the kiddie pool."
"Ah."
Daek lay on a lounge chair, a cocktail in his hand, watching the clouds.
"Thinking?" asked Perfecto.
"I'm thinking about nothing. That's the problem."
"You're thinking about nothing because you have nothing to think about."
"…Is that an insult or a compliment?"
"Both."
Daek downed his cocktail in one gulp.
"I'll take both."
Sharky, meanwhile, had stayed apart. He watched the water. The water watched him.
"Do you know how to swim?" asked Amélie.
"No."
"Do you want me to teach you?"
"No."
"Why did you come, then?"
"Midas told me to come."
"And you listen to him?"
Sharky turned to her.
"Yes."
Amélie didn't answer.
---
DINNER – END OF THE DAY
Yuji Suzuki invited them to dinner. A long table, endless buffets. Children shouted in the pools.
"I like you kids," he said.
"Is that why you agreed?" asked Midas.
"No, it's for the golden hand."
He laughed.
Midas smiled.
They clinked glasses.
---
ON THE WAY BACK – MINIBUS
Takuya slept on Daek's shoulder. Daek looked out the window. Perfecto read a magazine.
William listened to music, eyes on the ceiling.
Sharky stared at the seat in front of him.
Silva slept, her head on Midas's shoulder.
Amélie watched the stars.
"Midas."
"Mmh."
"The baby… what will you name him?"
Silva opened one eye.
Midas thought.
"If it's a boy, Midas." He smiled. "Like me."
Silva smiled too.
"You're pretentious."
"I know."
Amélie looked at the stars, then closed her eyes.
---
TO BE CONTINUED…