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“Sorry, but it’s peanuts, Salami Slinger,” Charlotte says. “At least, compared to what some really successful creators make on that site.”
“Yeah,women. The highest earners are female.”
Charlotte waggles her eyebrows. “Funny you should say that. I’ve done some research, and I think ifIjoin your puppet shows, if we add myfemalenaked body parts as characters and topography, and we make a push to grow your monthly subscribers list and maybe create a VIP club with special access and perks, we could make ten times what you’re making as a solo act.” In an enthusiastic ramble, Charlotte elaborates on her idea, and I can’t deny she might be onto something. At least, I can’t see a downside in giving it a shot, other than, possibly, wasting valuable time.
“We’d have to talk in detail about boundaries,” Charlotte continues. “And also meticulously plan every show, so they’d be like a choreographed dance. You know how they have intimacy coordinators on movies?”
“No.”
“Oh, well, they do.” She bops in her seat. “I’d make cute little props and costumes for our puppet shows. Stuff that would be much more eye-catching and fun than paper drawings and tin foil. No offense.”
“I’m deeply offended.”
“We’d make it so fun to watch, people would throw money at us—and soon, we’d have enough to solvebothour financial emergencies!”
I’m dubious, but I don’t say so. I’m admittedly terrible at this stuff, and Charlotte seems enthusiastic and confident. Maybe Charlotte peeping at me through that hole in the wall will turn out to be a blessing in disguise?
While I’m still processing everything Charlotte said, we reach our building and I find a parking spot across the street. After turning off my ignition, I turn to Charlotte and say, “Okay, let’s try it. Count me in.”
Charlotte’s pretty face lights up. “Really?”
I nod. “With this caveat. We can’t afford to give this idea a try for too long without success, only to realize, too late, we needed to try a different strategy. If it’s not going really well, after, say, four days of trying, we’ll need to pivot and figure out a Plan B.”
“Having a Plan B gives you an excuse to fail.”
“No, having a Plan B will keep me from becoming fish food.”
“Will you stop saying that, please?”
“If we’re not on track to meet our end goal after four days, then you’re gonna need to get a loan from someone for the full amount. I don’t care who you ask—if it’s family or Tessa or whoever—but you’re gonna have to fix this, somehow, Charlotte, before I’m at risk of getting the ‘equivalent’ of a slap on the wrist or worse.”
Charlotte leans back in her car seat. “That’s fair. I can’t ask my mom for money. With my dad gone, she’s on a fixed income.But I promise I’ll bite thebulletand ask Tessa, if it comes to that, soyoudon’t have to take abulletforme.” She winks.
I don’t know how it’s possible, but I’m smiling like a goof at her right now. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“It’s the least I can do. But, please, give our idea at least a few days to get going before I’m forced to tell Tessa what I’ve done. If I tell her, she’ll swoop in and save me, and I don’t want to make her do that, unless it’s absolutely necessary, okay? But if it is, I promise, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re safe. Just give me some time to prove my idea is a winner before making me involve my best friend.”
I believe everything Charlotte’s said to me, so I nod and say, “Deal.”
We shake on it.
We’re parked now. Sitting in my car. So I lean my head back and make myself comfortable, since it doesn’t seem like either of us is eager to exit the car.
“FYI, I can’t miss school this week,” I say. “I’ve got important labs and classes, and then a couple exams. But after that, I’ll be on spring break, so we’ll have plenty of time to do multiple shows per day then,ifthis idea of yours winds up being a good one.”
“Oh, that’s great news. What a lucky break.” Charlotte bites her lower lip. “Are you hungry? I think we should grab some food and talk about our first batch of shows. Once we have plotlines, we’ll pick up supplies to make props and costumes.”
“Do you like tacos?”
“Love ‘em. I’m from LA, remember?”
“I know the perfect place.” I start the car and pull away from the curb, and off we go to my favorite taco place.
“Hey, Auggie?” Charlotte says a few minutes into our drive. “I know this might be a tall order, but I think we should try our best to have fun together. If we’re having fun, our audience will,too. As long as we’re gonna be naked together, multiple times per day, we might as well enjoy it.”
Holy shit. I knew, intellectually, this joint puppet show idea would require joint nudity, but hearing Charlotte say it out loud, so starkly, is sending tingles across my skin. I clear my throat. “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea. Let’s try to relax and have fun with it.”
“Fantastic. It’s a bad situation, true; but we might as well make the best of it.”
