Chapter 1
Perhaps the only hint of its history in this metropolis, anold-fashioned tram packed with CITY DWELLERS trails throughmodern skyscrapers at rush hour.
As the tram slows down, city dwellers hop off andbegin their day. One of them is CONNOR, late 20s, young andenergetic, a budding star of the corporate world.
Ask yourself, what’re you doing at nine each morning?
At Empire Tailors, a skilled TAILOR in his 60s, helps WAYNE totry on a double-breasted suit.
Stuck in the traffic with a Rolls-Royce, TERRENCE, checks thetime from his Rolex Daytona: 9:05 a.m.
Hopping off an obviously overcrowded train, OWEN takes a bite of his bread as he hurries to work.
In the gym, a BURLY GUY sits on a chest fly machine. He grabsthe handles and presses his arms together in a coordinated movement.
Seated near the floor-to-ceiling windows of a luxury duplex overlooking atranquil beach, SKYLER and her LADY FRIENDS, 40s-50s, are incross-legged positions practicing mindfulness. They aresitting in two rows, four in each row.
In a calming tone, a female COACH walks them through theroutines, “Mindfulness is about living in the present,and don’t get carried away by the pressuresof everyday life. Now close your eyes and relax...”
Skyler and her friends follow suit.
FAYE, mid 20s, watches them as she sets the table for theirbreakfast meeting. What kind of pressure could these ladies have?
“First breath. Bring your full attention tobreathing.”
BREATHE as if you struggle to survive.Breathe as if you’re an endangered jaguarabout to be made into a $10,000 fur coat.
“Second breath. Drop your shoulders. Relaxthe body.”
They don’t shoulder any blame orburden ever.
“Third breath. Ask yourself: What’s on yourmind right now?”
This I know. I’ll tell you one-by-one.
Her gaze directs towards CLAIRE, first from the left in the1st row.
Claire - owner of The Goods Store. Daughter of fashion legend,Claire lives by the motto ‘You’re theaverage of the five people you spend themost time with’. That’s why she onlybefriends the ultra-rich or ultra-powerful.
On Claire’s left is ALYSSA, wearing a stunning emeraldpendant adorned with diamonds.
Alyssa - co-chair of New Century Development Co. Richard and Alyssa Lee own over 50properties in town. Their successapparently made them obsessivelysuperstitious. I presume her fancy necklaceis a scam by her Feng Shui Master and thejewellery shop.
Next up is BETTY, a rather curvy, chubby figure.
Betty - CEO of Maximilian Dining Co. Everything is a double-edged sword and it’sso true of Betty’s mouth. Her tongue couldtaste the freshness of ingredients, thebalances of flavors, but her lips uttersthe most malicious words you’d ever hear.
Moving on to the last in the 1st row is SKYLER, a slim andelegant lady. Unlike her friends, she isn’t wearing a weddingring.
Skyler - spokesperson of Care4Youth Foundation. Descendents of an energy tycoon,Skyler isn’t involved in the familybusiness but is leading Care4Youth. It still puzzles me that she’sdoing charity with folks who exploits.
Faye glances through the ladies in the 2nd row, thinkingabout what to say next. Yet, she sees Skyler heading towardsher. Evading any eye contact, Faye turns arounds and placesthe meeting agenda on each plate.
“Join us and leave this to the maids,” says Skyler.
“I thought this is a breakfast meeting,” says Faye.
“Betty says this Canadian instructor could only do this timeslot.”
Faye rolls her eyes, she just really dislik”es these richladies.
“Anyways, for next month’s event, I’vecontacted a food bank and they’re verylooking forward to our supply.”
“Oh about that...” Skyler continues, “It’ll now be a clothing campaign for kids.”
“What?”
“Alyssa’s daughter has a school project on kids fashion.”
“When was the discussion?”
“She just told me.”
“Then we’ll disappoint the food bank.”
“Claire supports this initiative.”
“Are they volunteering or networking?”
“We’ll go to the food bank next time, okay?”
Faye, pissed off, grabs her bag and turns around.
“Where you going?”
“Back to my actual job.”
“You know you can just work at my brother’splace.”
“You ain’t involved in your family business,why should I do otherwise?”
Skyler exhales, “They didn’t think of you anything less.”
Faye pauses. She needs to know.
“Just tell me who he is.”
“I deserve to know!”
“Your dad was a very special man.”
That’s how every conversation about her dad ends.
