Chapter 12
C harlotte needed to unwind after her draining day. The tour, the meeting, the actual work she still had to finish. She couldn’t bring herself to leave early but she decided she wouldn’t work late. It was time for a night off. She drove herself to The Dragon’s Breath, a bar and board game café that happened to make the best wood-fired pizza for miles. And they had a strict “no eating pizza while playing board games” rule that Charlotte respected.
Charlotte claimed a high-top table by the bar and ordered a hard cider and a margherita pizza. She checked to see if the owner, her friend Luke, was around, but he had the night off. Before she forgot, she sent off a quick text to Luke to say hello and ask about catching up, but then she made herself put her phone away.
She sipped her cider, dry and perfect, and stared at the blinking dragon above the bar. Just its head and front legs protruded from the wall so that it perpetually looked like it was trying to fly into the bar. It was as impressive as it was unnerving in the way that the best animatronics were. A buzz from her phone pulled her out of her dragon hypnosis and she didn’t bother trying to talk herself out of fishing her phone from her bag to glance at the notification. She didn’t have to answer whatever it was, but she should see what it was about.
An email preview notification glowed on her screen, an email from Gregory. She pushed it.
From: [email protected]
Re: An Offer
Charlotte,
Thank you for showing me around Lands of Legend today. It’s clear that you care deeply about the park and that you have extensive knowledge about and experience in the theme park industry. While Emily will retain her position as the park’s manager, I’d like to offer you a permanent position in the park and put your experience to good use.
Would you be interested in taking on the role of Lands of Legend’s Creative Executive?
Sincerely, Gregory
Charlotte blinked several times, closed her eyes for a few seconds, and looked again. She wanted to make sure she’d read the email correctly. Her mind raced with a dozen thoughts: yes, she was interested; no, she had to leave the door open for DreamUs, but what a perfect opportunity this would be to use her knowledge; and oh boy, there was no way Gregory had discussed this with Emily. It was a lot and while Charlotte chased the thoughts around her head, she realized this must mean Ever Fund’s investment was a done deal. She flipped to her text messages.
Charlotte: Hey! The meeting seemed to go well today. Did you agree to move ahead with Ever Fund?
Aunt Marianne: Yes. I was going to tell you first thing tomorrow.
Aunt Marianne: The presentation was really more of a courtesy. It’s not like we have a line of investors lined up and Emily was already on board. Frank and I felt optimistic after hearing Gregory’s thoughts.
Charlotte: Yeah, I was surprised.
Charlotte: Still waiting for the catch.
Aunt Marianne: So cynical. But I get it. I think it’s good though.
Charlotte: We will see. But I’ll keep an open mind!
Charlotte wouldn’t mention to her aunt that she didn’t think Emily was going to be a positive influence on Ever Fund. All the more reason for Charlotte to consider Gregory’s email.
Aunt Marianne: Good. That’s all I ask.
Charlotte: Lv you. See you tomorrow?
Aunt Marianne: Yep! Lv you too. 3
With a deep breath, Charlotte put her phone away. She focused on the pizza that the bartender dropped off at her table with the most flawless timing in the universe. Perfectly crispy crust, fresh basil, and tomato sauce with just a hint of sweetness. Charlotte forced Lands out of her mind while she ate.
But Gregory’s email didn’t leave her head for long once she finished dinner. She weighed every word while she drove home. Then when she got to her basement apartment, she texted Melanie (she replied with a lot of emojis at first, including an eggplant). She asked Madmartigan’s opinion; he gave an approving meow, but that probably had more to do with Charlotte holding treats. Her parents were out, so Charlotte couldn’t ask them. She turned to a tried and true method: a list.
Pros:
· Help Under the Waves, a cool new land with leveled-up rides, open
· By extension, help Frank and Marianne’s dreams come true before they retire
· Be around to stop Emily from being Emily
· It didn’t have to be forever
· Yay full-time employment!
Cons:
· Working closely with Gregory
· Really closely with Gregory
· Seeing Emily more often
The Gregory part, the part of being around a suit who didn’t understand theme parks, would be exhausting. DreamUs had those types too, but as a Dream Mechanic, she was more often surrounded by creative idealists who didn’t let numbers stifle their artistry. Staring into Gregory’s green eyes and admiring his broad, square shoulders wouldn’t make explaining the nuances of theme parks to him any more pleasurable. Well, maybe marginally more pleasurable. Okay, maybe working with Gregory was a pro. But she had to remember that the last time she’d worked with someone she was attracted to, things went off the rails.
But the Gregory of it all aside, she’d love to put Creative Executive on her résumé; it was always nice to future-proof her job experiences. Charlotte knew that with decision-making power and Ever Fund’s cash infusion she could transform Lands of Legend in all the right ways. That would only help her successful return to DreamUs, and she could put an end date on her time at Lands. It was that simple. Charlotte pulled her laptop close and opened her email.
From: [email protected]
Re: An Offer
Gregory,
I accept, though Creative Executive sounds like a demotion from Vice President of Fun. I want to remain flexible so let’s set my contract to end on Memorial Day Weekend when Under the Waves opens.
Let’s meet at Sir Cinna-Swirls at 10am tomorrow to discuss the rest of the details. We should talk to Marianne, Frank, and Emily afterward too so we can set an all-staff meeting and make sure we’re being as transparent as possible with everyone about Ever Fund and what will and won’t be happening.
Sincerely, Charlotte
Her email chimed with a response immediately.
From: [email protected]
Re: An Offer
Charlotte,
Do you eat cinnamon buns for breakfast every day? That doesn’t seem advisable.
Glad to hear you’re accepting. That timeline works for me. See you tomorrow.
Gregory