Here We Go Again – The Storm Breaks (14)

4 October 2008

1:50pm

Joders stands on the rear balcony of her top floor suite, gripping the railing, (she’s not good with heights), and waiting.

In the last few hours 8 planes have landed at LAX at approximately 15 minute intervals.  Jaded’s flight arrived first since she had to clear customs.  Each of the invitees have entered the arrivals area to find a uniformed driver holding a sign with their name written on it.

They have then been escorted to one of Joders’ fleet of black Toyota Prius’ to begin the drive to the secret location.

Four of the cars have travelled along Lincoln Blvde, turning left into Rose Ave and then left into the Speedway.  The other four cars have travelled along Abbot Kinney Blvde, turning left into Westminster Ave and then right into the Speedway.

Joders, still standing on the rear balcony, smiles as she watches the 8 cars take turns at driving into the private car park underneath the building.

Janers is standing at the elevator awaiting the arrival of the 8 invitees.  She does not have to wait long.

The elevator door opens and 8, noisy, chatting and laughing people spill out, surrounding Janers.

Wanda:  Janers!  You’re here too?  What’s going on?

Daners:  Yeah, what’s with all the secrecy?

Janers:  You’ll have to wait for Joders to explain.

Afers:  But you’re here already Janers.  Clearly you know what’s going on.

Janers:  Well, yes….

Aliers:  How come Joders told you but not us?

Jaded:  I’ve come all the way from Europe for this.  Can we please just go see Joders?

Akeelers:  This had better be good.

As the other follow Janers down the hallway, Jennifer and Anners lag behind.

Jennifer:  (looking at Anners)  This is something to do with you, you know.

Anners:  How do you figure that?

Jennifer:  It is you birthday, isn’t it?  My guess is that’s why we’re here.

Anners:  It seems like an awful amount of trouble to go to just for my birthday.

Jennifer:  (shrugging)  What else could it be?  Happy Birthday, by the way.

The girls rush to catch up with the group just as they all enter Joders’ top floor suite.  As they step inside the door, Joders hands each invitee a glass of chilled Killawarra Dusk Sparkling Strawberry wine and asks them to take a seat.

As Anners steps through the door she too is handed a glass of wine.

Joders:  Happy Birthday Anners.  Got anything really special planned for tonight?  Meeting John?

Anners:  (half smiling)  Thanks Joders.  I guess it depends on what happens here this afternoon.

Joders:  Not long now sweetie.

Joders waits until the 8 invitees are comfortably seated before she speaks.

Joders:  So how was the flight guys?  Comfortable?  Enjoyable?

Daners:  I’ve never flown first class before.  That was an experience.

Afers:  And what was with the private driver and the private car?

Aliers:  A whole fleet of private cars?  What’s going on Joders?

Wanda:  For the love of God, Joders.  Please tell us what’s happening?  What’s with the whole secret thing?  Why are we all here?

Joders takes a delicate sip of her Killawarra Dusk and gently places the glass on a sidetable before perching herself on the edge of an armchair.

Joders:  There’s a few reasons actually.  The first, of course, is that it’s Anners’ birthday today.  I thought it would be good if we could all get together for a few hours to celebrate.  We’ve got alcohol, cake and I’ve got a present for her as well.

Joders stands and retrieves a yellow document sized envelope from her briefcase and presents it Anners.

Joders:  Happy Birthday Anners.

Anners:  Wow, thanks Joders.  You really went all out with the wrapping!

Joders:  Just open it, yeah?

Anners opens the envelope and pulls out…..

Anners:  A cheque?  Joders, a cheque?  With (studying the cheque) no amount written on it?  Made out to Anners Scribonia.  You’re giving me a….. (realisation flashes across Anners face and she whispers her next words as she gazes incredulously at Joders) a blank cheque?

Joders:  (shrugging)  I didn’t know how much grad school would cost.  And I thought that the cost might be a small issue in making the choice as to which school you enrol in.

Jaded:  (looking at Joders)  You’re paying for Anners’ Masters Degree?  And you paid for me to fly here from Europe  first class…..

Wanda:  And me….

Jennifer:   And me too……

The 8 invitees look at each other in confusion as they all realise that they have flown first class at Joders’ expense and that Anners is holding a blank cheque in her shaking hand.

Akeelers:  Joders, what the hell is going on here?

Afers:  Yeah Joders, where’d you get this money from?

Joders:  I guess I kinda, sorta…. I suppose….. well, I, oh bugger it.  I won some money.

Daners:  (not sure she’s heard Joders correctly)  You WON some money?

Joders:  Yeah.

Aliers:  Just how much did you win Joders?

Joders:  Uhhhh, fi…

Daners:  Fifty thousand dollars?!

Joders:  No, fi…..

Wanda:  Five hundred thousand dollars?  That’s phreakin’ amazing!

Joders:  Ummmm, no, it was fi……

Afers:  Five MILLION dollars?!  No way Joders!

Joders is silent as she watches the 8 invitees shout, and cheer and hoot and holler in excitement.

Janers, standing next to Joders, looks at her and smiles knowingly.

Janers:  When are you going to tell them, Joders?

Joders:  In a minute.

Jaded turns her attention to Joders.

Jaded:  Joders, why aren’t you agreeing with having won five million dollars.

Joders doesn’t get a chance to say anything.

Daners:  Holy crap!  You didn’t win five million, did you?  You won fifty million dollars?  Didn’t you?

Joders is still quiet as she regards the 8 invitees and wonders just how to tell them.

Jennifer is standing up now and the same expression of realisation that crossed Anners’ face a while ago is now crossing Jennifer’s face as well.

Jennifer:  Holy phuckin Mother of God!  You won five hundred million dollars didn’t you?  In the Mega Millions Lottery.  In June when it jackpotted to the highest payout figure in history.  That was you, wasn’t it?

Joders:  (smiling)  Yep.

The whole room is stunned to silence.

Daners:  Noooooo!  You’re tricking us!  I don’t why you’d be playing this sort of joke Joders.  It’s not April Fools Day or even Halloween.  You didn’t win five hundred million dollars.  You’re joking.  Aren’t you?  Right?

Joders:  No.  I’m not joking.  This is not a trick.  This is actual real life.  I won five hundred million dollars.  Of course after I paid lottery taxes and income taxes both here and back home I only ended up with two hundred and eighty million left over.  But, you know, $280 mill is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.  Or a blunt one.

Wanda:  So, uhhhh, what exactly are you going to do with the money Joders?

Joders:  Well, Janers has been helping me spend some.  I’ve purchased a few little things.  And that’s where you guys come into the equation.

Joders reaches into the briefcase and withdraws a number of yellow coloured document sized envelopes.

So, now you know.  Joders is a multi millionaire.  And she’s purchased a few little things.  I bet you want to know what she’s bought, right?  And how the 8 invitees fit in to the equation?  And what the hell is in the other envelopes?  You’ll have to come back in a few days times to get the answers.  I promise there’ll be a few.  Answers that is.  And maybe a few more questions.