Alternatives

Chapter 6:Ambitions Part One

When Alina came back home, Erik was still in his room. He didn't come out until the next day when he greeted her with a truly brave but pathetic attempt at seeming normal and carefree. From then on, he did his best to stay occupied, reading newspapers and sketching out different designs for his mechanisms.

Alina noticed him calming down over the next few weeks; becoming less suspicious and more relaxed around her, and Yana, again. He became more quiet and withdrawn; as if he'd spent all the energy he had had and now had to wait for it to refill. She waited some more, hoping his behavior would soon return to normal. It was the work that got him out of the episode in the end. Once he had drawn and described all the designs he'd had so far, he seemed to feel better. People do generally benefit from feeling useful, I suppose, Alina commented to Yana. She was busy enough with her work, so she focused on that.

The city wanted to build several more schools for immigrant children. This, in Alina's opinion, was a terrific idea that she wanted to be a part of – so far, she had enough education and experience that she might just approach them and ask for work – but she was hesitant. She felt a slight pang of guilt at the thought. It wouldn't be fair to just abandon Erik, but she had no idea how they were going to continue what they were doing or make it a sustainable long-term option.

The stand was going along nicely. Many people had noticed her and remembered her; they waved at her as they passed her by. Other store owners mostly didn't like her as she was their competition, but at least they knew about her, she thought. It might be good for the future that people remember her as someone who sold the damned things successfully. She was putting a lot of effort into being cordial and charming, and it worked wonders. The problem was that they were scraping the bottom with the toys, and Erik couldn't make them very efficiently with one of his arms in a cast. So they decided that, once they were all sold, they would sell the designs and blueprints to renowned store owners for a part in the profit.

ooo

Which, Alina explained, would probably include Jack Franklin.

Alina knew who he was, and she didn't particularly like him. Erik blatantly despised him because he couldn't feel anything in moderation. Jack had a small store near Alina; he sold everything and anything – candy, toys, trinkets, postcards, and so on. He was remarkably successful and seemed to be a very cunning salesman. He knew who Alina was, too, since almost everyone there knew each other – and Alina happened to appear suddenly with a lot of very particular toys and a very particular attitude, and became popular among tourists rather quickly. While most of the others made it clear they didn't like her and saw her as an unwelcome competition, Jack was smart enough to try and be nice and welcoming. Alina had no doubt he was doing it for his benefit, but she had to admit it was still a very appealing act. Jack appeared to be in his thirties and had a sort of boyish quality on his friendly face. His messy brown waves and shiny smile made him appear very likable and charming to most people; a fact he seemed to be well aware of and one that made Alina very suspicious of him since she first saw him.

Cunning and calculated. That was the first thing she knew about him, and the second seemed to be that he paid no regard to societal pressure, traditions, and prejudice of people around him. He seemed like a good man to approach with a business deal – he was smart enough to take Alina seriously and put profit over his pride – as long as she would be careful and not let him rob her senseless. Erik agreed, begrudgingly, although it seemed as if he wanted them both as far away from Jack as possible. Alina thought this was an overreaction – although the man seemed somewhat manipulative and focused only on his success, he seemed to have something of a moral code. While he was blatantly ripping off the richest, most snobby customers, Alina happened to notice him lowering the prices for less wealthy customers, and it seemed as though he dropped candies for poor immigrant kids to find them much too often for someone not at all forgetful. And in those short months, Alina was there, he tried very hard to find out who her secret business partner was, but even though she never told him he was either nice or smart enough not to overstep any boundaries.

And so, one day in early autumn, Alina entered Jack's store with a handful of sketches under her arm and a very well-rehearsed proposal in her head. He raised his eyebrows when he saw her, looking rather smug about something. I'm so glad Erik didn't go instead of me. He'd have wrung his neck.

"Good afternoon, Miss Boričević. How can I help you?" This whole formality was a joke. They'd been on a first-name basis for a while.

"Good afternoon, sir. I was hoping to discuss something with you." Alina raised her head, her spine straight as a broom. She wasn't going to let some slimy a*s spin her around his finger.

"I'll discuss anything gladly with you, Miss."

"Good. I have a business proposition, actually." she sat across from him and took a little breath. "As you may have noticed, I've been selling some very well-received toys that can't be found anywhere else."

"Everyone's noticed. It's driving them mad." He smiled at her. "Are you selling me the secret to your success?"

He's trying to get me out of balance by cutting to the point before I can try to persuade him. He wants to catch me off guard and lead this conversation. Well, I can play more than one act.

"Smart man. You guessed it." She smiled as well. Go to hell, Jack.

"Forgive me, Alina, but a man is sometimes insufferably curious. How did you decide to do this, all of a sudden? You were doing quite alright on your own."

"Are you worried I'm scamming you, sir?"

"Absolutely not, Miss. Your face is a testament to honesty and noble intentions as well as beauty. But if I'm going to buy a secret, I'd like to know it first."

Please impale yourself on a spike, Jack. "What exactly do you wish to know?"

His eyes had a glint in them that Alina disliked. "Several things."

"Alright. I can only hope to survive your interrogation."

"Who makes the toys?" he asked sharply.

"My business partner."

"Who is he?"

"Nobody. He's a hermit with a penchant for building these… mechanisms, illusions, and magic tricks. He can build almost anything from scratch, but he can't be arsed to interact with people, so I do that part of the process. We came here together from Europe."

"Hmm." He looked at her while he thought about it. "And now he wants to sell these little blueprints so that someone else can make them, and he gets the money and moves on to other things?"

"You guessed again, you clever man, you." Please step on a nail, Jack.

"And you're here to convince me, in place of this incredibly bashful man, that I should buy these blueprints for great money because they're the best damn thing I've seen in my long career of ripping off people with more money than brains?"

"Absolutely. They are fantastic, and you know it."

"That they are. What I do not know, however, is why you would approach me, of all people, since you seem to have been waiting for me to spontaneously combust for the entirety of this conversation. Surely there's someone you dislike less, with worse negotiating skills, you could sell this to? You'd get a better deal."

Right now there's no one I dislike more. Alina did her best to show only a tiny amount of irritation she felt. Just to make it sound believable as if she had lost her composure. "I simply don't like the way you talk. It's so obviously manipulative I want to jump out of my skin. Might work with tourists or naïve old ladies, but I can see what you do," she took another breath. "But, I have to admit you're clever enough to have taken me seriously since I first saw you, and you recognize what I'm bringing to you as something entirely different. You'll make good use of these. Long-term, it's a good option to have you as an associate."

He was openly smug now. "Ah. I see."

"Does this sate your curiosity?" Please get hit in the head with a baseball, Jack.

"On the contrary. Did you know I was once a journalist? This kind of thing just makes me more curious. But I'll stop for now."

"Nice of you."

"So, I have a proposition", Jack waved his hand at the blueprints, "I'll buy these from you for exactly the first price you were going to offer." I don't even care what it is. I know you probably spent days deciding on it. I won't bargain with you at all. Take it as a sign of my good intentions."

"Alright…?" please swallow a fish bone, Jack. What the hell kind of game are you playing?

"But, and I'd like you to take a day to think about this – I'd like to order more of these, and I'd like you to sell them to me and only me, and I'll buy them for a fair share in profits every time. But don't sell them to anyone else. You're right, I can make good use of them. Better than these other small-minded dimwits. Let's think big. What do you say?"

"I'll… think about it."

He grinned with a very snake-like grin. "Of course. Consult your hermit friend. I'd like to meet him too if that's alright."

"Probably not a very good idea. For now." For eternity.

"Oh, the heartbreak! Alright, then. Take these adorable sketches and come back tomorrow with your answer. While you think about it, tell me one thing: have you thought about why you dislike me so much, fair maiden?"

"No, I try to think about pleasant things mostly."

"Oh, of course", he smiled again. "But consider this, fair maiden: I may not be fair, or maiden-like enough for your tastes, and I'm alright with that. But the reason you find me so unnerving might be because I'm something you recognize in your mirror, and you can't fool me the same way I can't fool you. We're both sunshine and daisies on the surface, yes? Something entirely different underneath. Until you get to see what's underneath, it would be wise to refrain from making assumptions about my character, and I'll refrain from making assumptions about yours."

For a split second, it seemed to Alina like he was offended, deep down, that she thought he was a manipulative snake; but he resumed his air of arrogance and cheer almost immediately.

"Alright, that's fair. I'll see you tomorrow." Fine, Jack, don't swallow a fish bone. Just die painlessly.

"Farewell, fair maiden."

ooo

Alina hurried home to tell Erik about the whole conversation, and he was displeased. To put it mildly. She wondered for a second if smoke might start coming out of his ears.

"He wants what?" he stood up, pacing around the room furiously.

"Well, he wants to work with us. Long-term. That's not a bad idea."

"Why exactly would we want to work with him?"

"Because he's clever and resourceful", Alina shrugged. "He'll be very useful to us."

"And he also seems like exactly the kind of man we should never trust with anything! Why would we do this? Don't you remember how we ended up here?"

"By trusting strangers we couldn't figure out, to get us out of unfavorable situations?" Alina offered. Check-mate. He stopped dead in his tracks, and she had a few more seconds to say what she wanted.

"Listen, I don't trust him either, alright? But I think we may be wrong. He didn't ask for anything suspicious or unfair. You're just – look, we're both overreacting because we're used to either having the upper hand with people, having control over the situation, or drawing into ourselves. It might be good if we tried something different. It hurts my pride to say this, but he's right." Swallow another fish bone tonight, Jack. For having me say this.

"So you agree with him? You want us to accept this?" he asked. Alina was surprised to notice he looked a bit hurt.

"I do want us to accept this. Your arm is hurt. You're capable of building amazing, ambitious things, and you're making toys. I don't think you'll be happy like this." This next part has to be very careful. "We're very overworked, and we don't have to be. You deserve to be recognized for your full potential, and so do I. I'd like to have time to work in that new school they're opening. I'll still work with you, of course", she hurried before he could interrupt her, "I would like to be able to do both, but I can't if we insist on doing absolutely everything ourselves from the very bottom. That's what I think."

He looked to the side for a moment. "You do think so?"

"Which part, exactly?" I won't be drawn into a trap. I'm not sure if he's still in that strange phase where he takes words out of context and twists them into knots.

"You think we could make something more ambitious? Because I had an idea", he swallowed, uncertain. "I think I can make it good enough, but I don't know how to… show it to people, I suppose."

"What do you mean?"

"They're making these entertainment parks around the island. Do you know the ones? Closed, that can work all year?" Alina nodded. Of course, it was all over the newspaper.

"Well", he continued, "I've had some ideas. For those parks. Illusions, mirror rooms, and rides. I've been sketching them out, and it seems like it might work. But I'd need someone to go and sell it to them." He looked at her apologetically. "Maybe someone who's more experienced in those things. You've been very good, but… I can't imagine you in that context."

"No, you're right. I hate big business." Although I hate being obsolete as well.

"So, unless Jack wants us to sell everything that I ever make to him… if he's reasonable, he could work with us as a representative. Unless he intends to make an entire entertainment park from scratch with those designs. Which is all the same to me, as long as he doesn't bankrupt us or take our savings."

"Do you want me to ask him about that?" This was going rather well. Alina was also internally dying to see those designs, to be honest; she didn't know he was even making them.

"Would you?"

"Yes, of course, I would. But you could also come with me. It might be a good idea– he said he wants to meet you already. You can tell him everything, see what you think about him, and negotiate everything personally."

He looked worried. "That's not a very good idea. What about…?"

"One of the reasons I wanted him in the first place is that he isn't... shaken easily. I've seen how he talks to people. Even if he thinks you're strange, it won't bother him." Alina could say that, at least, Jack did talk to everyone the same way. She had seen him talk to a blind old beggar and a rich young businessman's son. He didn't care. He might keep his composure even if he saw you without that mask, but you're still too stubborn to ever take it off, even in front of me.

"Very well", he sighed. "I'll try."

"Can I see your ideas, though?" Alina could barely hold her curiosity. "Everything you've made so far was amazing! I want to see them, please!"

He smiled a little. "Are you hoping for more gifts?"

"I absolutely am. Are you offering me more gifts? A whole armada of music boxes? A symphony just for me? Maybe an opera or two?" she couldn't help but grin.

"Maybe someday." He took out a handful of paper from under the table. "Now, take a look at these and tell me what you think."

ooo

They decided to both go to Jack the next day. Alina was only slightly nervous, unlike Erik, who once again looked like he'd rather die and become a ghost than interact with another person. At least this will confuse Jack, if even a little. I'd love to see that smugness wiped off his face.

"Hello, Jack. I've brought my business partner with me. We can all discuss it together now."

He didn't expect a man in a mask with a broken arm, but alas, he's back on his feet instantly.

"Fair maiden is back! And with the mysterious knight from the shadows! It's an honor to meet you, sir. My name is Jack Franklin. I take it my offer piqued your interest, at least." He offered his hand and he took care to offer his left-hand so that Erik could shake it with his healthy one.

Erik accepted it, not noticing, pondering whether to smack him or run. Alina could tell, she knew him.

"I'm Erik. Yes, I'm interested. I wanted to discuss some of it with you."

"I'm certainly listening, sir! Your designs are something special. I'm sure we can agree."

"I have many more", he said. "I can make enough to support us both until we die. Why should I sell them to you, specifically?"

Alina suddenly realized she might enjoy watching this.

"Didn't I tell Miss Alina already? I know a lot of people, and I know how to present things to them. I can make them feel like they need it. I can sell almost anything to anyone. And you both seem disinclined to bother with it yourselves", Jack nodded at them courteously.

Erik turned to her. "Is this true? What do you say?"

Alina shrugged, following his act. "It seems so. He's doing well, and he hasn't been here long."

He turned to Jack again. "Why are you stopping with this one store, then? People have gotten rich much quicker than this. How are you so good, and yet I've only heard of you now?"

"Couldn't I ask you the same thing?"

"You could, but my qualities are not in question here. Also, I wouldn't advise asking." His eyes were flickering beneath the mask; Alina noticed barely stopping herself from smiling smugly. Is this what men do when you leave them to their own devices? Smash their horns to death? This is insanely amusing.

"OK. I haven't been doing this for long. I spent some time being a journalist, and then before that, I spent some time being a young prodigal son; traveling around making a nuisance of myself, and getting into all sorts of trouble. It's only recently I decided to settle down and acquire some nicer material possessions."

"I have some designs for bigger things", Erik said, not paying attention to Jack's life story, "Things fit for a whole amusement park. You're aware they've been opening up across the island?"

"Of course."

"Do you have any intention of starting something like that?"

"Absolutely not", he said, completely serious for the first time. "If there's anything I want to avoid in life, it's mafia. If you want to own one of those things on this island, it's going to come with the mafia, bribes, and politics. Big projects attract crime like honey attracts fleas. And then some new bighead comes to the bighead chair, puts them all into jail, and puts his guys in their place. I have no interest in it; I value my head and my goddamn peace. I'd rather get comfortably wealthy and have them leave me alone. I've seen enough mafia in my life, and I'm sure I don't want to repeat that experience. I recommend you follow my example."

Erik listened to him carefully and nodded. "So if I'm to sell these to Paul Boyton, you won't mind, given our agreement?"

"I would mind, but that's irrelevant to our deal. I'd rather you sell them to Tilyou. He seems like the more far-sighted one out of the two. A good head for business, but hasn't sold his soul to the devil yet."

He nodded again. Alina had heard of both Boyton and Tilyou, and she was not sure if Erik was testing him, but what he said was true. Tilyou did seem to have a healthy head on his shoulders. Not to mention he offered to help financially with the schools and orphanages they were trying to build if his plans turned profitable enough. Oh, this might all come together so nicely. Has he planned all this?

Jack continued, "Of course, given your apparent disgust towards representing yourself, I'd do it for my fair share of the money. I even know old George myself. I'd give him the blueprints, and we'd all get a percentage of profits, fairly. It's not even a question."

That was it, then. This went perfectly. I'm amazed.

"It's agreed, then," Erik said.

"Oh, goodie. The fair maiden and the mysterious knight are on my side. We'll slay all the dragons easily now." Jack smiled. "Seriously, though, it'll be a pleasure doing business with you."

"You too, Jack," Alina replied politely, even though she was not exactly crucial for this part of the business.

"Oh, heavens above, Alina! I'm glad you've changed your opinion of me. I'm not such an unflattering mirror after all, am I?" On second thought, Jack, go fall off a cliff.

The way Erik looked at him made Alina think he was wishing for the same thing.

ooo

Now, that was settled, Erik threw himself wholeheartedly into his blueprints. Alina gave Jack the rest of the toys they'd made and he sold them remarkably fast; he patented their designs and started manufacturing them in large amounts. They sold very well, and he shared the money fairly every week. Alina started pulling some sleeves and some favors, gathering recommendations, and Jack even put in a good word for her with Tilyou as well. She wanted to participate in the school project; she was prepared to put money, time, and energy into it and it showed. It helped that she knew a lot of the children as well. The whole system was lazy and slow, but Alina found within her some firmness and confidence she didn't know she had. Eventually, they appointed her as one of the teachers; they put them all in a small, barely-passable building. It wasn't much, but they could work. Some of the children were promising, and Alina remembered every result and every victory for when she would negotiate better resources and more funding. This is important, she argued, and Jack sometimes argued alongside her. Kids who stay in school have no time to be criminals. Kids who know the language can find jobs. Don't you want this? We need the money. We need the support.

Slowly but surely, they started to listen. Schools got better equipment – not much better, but a fair start. Orphanages got more blankets and more workers. Alina argued some more so that they would give proper education to the workers. Some boundaries were set. The children were always fed, always welcome, and never beaten. She talked to the workers and voiced out their complaints until they got some days free and some support from older, more experienced people who would supervise them. Tilyou supported it, motivated by the money that might pour into his pockets when he saw Erik's unfinished designs. Erik's shoulder finally healed after a while and he slowly regained movement in his arm; he started playing violin again as soon as the cast was off. The melodies were now slightly less dark, more hopeful, and lighter. Sometimes, when Alina would arrive early, she could faintly hear something sweet and romantic, but it stopped abruptly every time as soon as she entered the house.

Jack was less insufferable than Alina had previously thought. He was good with money – incredible, even. And he really could sell anything to anyone. It made her wonder why he bothered with this schooling project; he was putting a lot of energy into it.

"It's about public image, Alina. This kind of thing is good for the business. Makes us appear all saint-like. Humanitarian and whatnot", he explained.

"It's not just that, is it? You do believe in what we're saying." Alina was quite sure of it.

"Do I? Are you trying to peel my skin and take a peek, fair maiden? I assure you, if you do, I'll still be a snake underneath", he laughed.

"That's not true. I'm sorry I acted that way."