¡Ella es una chica muy peligrosa! Te lo digo, Sergio!
Yeah, she's dangerous — but she offered us a lot of money! That's why we came here so late. — The food vendor added. — She said you needed cooks for the shoot who could offer something unusual. But if it's just Mexicans serving Mexican food, it'd look too stereotypical, and she doesn't want that.
She said that, really? — Evelyn asked with exaggerated surprise, her eyes darting Flora hadn't yet figured out why her aunt got so nervous, but what did annoy her was that Peyota apparently knew about one of the upcoming scenes she had planned to shoot. I'm telling it exactly how it was! — Sergio swore. — She asked — or, more like, ordered — us to bring you a fusion of different cuisines from around the world. We thought it was an exciting idea, especially with the money she promised. I don't have that kind of money! — Flora said right away. — Whatever she promised you, I can't pay that. That's a shameful — Luckily, it was Copy who said this (which Flora had long grown used to), and not Sergio, because the girl feared criticism from strangers far more than from loved ones.
But the vendor only smiled politely:
Don't worry. We just wanted to meet you and explain what we'd be doing when the time Here's my number. We'll come over whenever our delicacies are needed. ¡La comida más deliciosa de todas! Y nada de .. bueno, quizás solo un poquito .( The most delicious food ever! And no gluten... well, maybe just a little bit.) — Elena confirmed happily. We're off to sort out payment with a Señor Manu. He's still on the yacht, right? — Sergio
Oh, absolutely! — Flora beamed at not having to spend any more of the nonexistent film
They all said goodbye politely, bowing and smiling, and the couple rushed off with anticipation toward the place where Manu had not yet realized he was about to be dragged into another negotiation.
Evelyn mused aloud:
That Peyota! Didn't think she'd dump it all on our dear His poor bank card's about to be drained dry.
Flora spun around and, surprising even herself with her boldness, snapped:
Auntie, why'd you do that? I never gave anyone my script to read! But you took advantage of me being unconscious, skimmed it, and blabbed everything to Peyota!
How'd you figure that out? — Evelyn asked with genuine
There we go… Nobody takes me They all think I can't even add two and two… how sad is that?
You really are a surprise, dumb little I figured your brain went on vacation to the Seychelles, but turns out you can think. — Copy chimed in, delivering possibly the most backhanded compliment in history.
With a heavy sigh, Flora explained:
It wasn't hard to figure I never let go of my journal — so the only time you could've read it was when I wasn't in control. Peyota noticed you swiped something from me and started digging, right? What's wrong with discussing what we read? — Evelyn shrugged. — She and I both love to chat, and we came up with this plan together for… what did she call it? Ah, the after- party after the awards ceremony!
Got Let's head home, Auntie. I'm not mad, but we need some rest.
In truth, Flora was quietly fuming with indignation. How dare they touch her sacred space? Her creation? Her script! The nerve of these people!
It was dead night in Fellinia — two or maybe three, or even four, possibly five in the morning. Meaning, the night was already over, right?
Wilhelm was yawning desperately, wrestling with sleep — a rare guest that visited him roughly once a decade. And tonight, thanks to the new movie, he finally had a shot at quitting his habit of pouring barrels of sedatives into himself and just peacefully passing out.
And yet, he couldn't stop watching.
Curiosity had the upper hand, fighting off the encroaching drowsiness, which was trying to sabotage him in petty ways — pushing down his cave- like eyes and weighing on his fivefold chin, making it wobble in sync with his yawns.
His mouth kept stretching wider, and all sorts of things came flying out of it: piles of pebbles, industrial waste, cocktails, menstrual cups, and even Pinocchio. The fairytale character mistook this Deity for a Whale and jumped into the wrong stomach. The animated wooden boy gave a quick yelp and scurried off on his joints, curling into a ball and rolling down the slope