chocolate-dipped strawberries and some petits fours on her plate and rejoined her family.
After everyone finished eating, waiters came by with bottles of champagne and trays of glasses. While they wereserving, Moss Gibson stepped back up to the dais and spoke into the mike. “Did everyone enjoy brunch?”
A polite round of applause answered him.
“Good. Now, lean back, sip your bubbly, and enjoy the show. The lights darkened and a screen descended from the ceiling. After a few seconds of blurry gray snow, an image of an amusement park appeared, and the recorded voice of a has-been movie star said, “Welcome to Spudville, located just outside the growing town of Rat Cove, Idaho. At one time, this fine community was in serious financial trouble, but now with the thousands of tourists Spudville attracts to the area, it’s turned into a thriving city.”
Skye watched in appalled silence. From the Mashed Potato Water Ride to the Tater Tot Train, the attractions grew tackier and in worse taste with each one shown. The pièce de résistance was something called the “French Fried Follies”—a
Hee-Haw
-type show that insulted and exploited women at every possible level.
By the time the promotional film ended, Skye wanted to scream. Not only was the whole thing hokey beyond belief, it stereotyped and insulted almost every minority on the planet.
Before she could express her exasperation, Moss Gibson began to speak. “Folks, up until now Spudville has been my pride and joy, but in less than a year, with all of your help, my new vision, Pig-In-A-Poke Land, will outshine Spudville.”
As he paused for breath, Skye noted that most of the crowd looked confused, but some people were already nodding and whispering to their neighbors.
Gibson went on, “Pig-In-A-Poke Land will encompass three hundred acres, including parking and the Farmer-in-the-Dell Hotel. We’ll employ over a thousand people. This doesn’t count the jobs that will become available as support businesses spring up.”
The audience was beginning to split into two groups—the ones sitting with frowns, shaking their heads, and the others smiling and taking notes.
Suddenly two young women in denim bikinis, straw hats, and cowboy boots appeared, pushing a wheeled table between them. A white cloth was draped over the table’s contents. Voices immediately rose.
After the noise died down, Gibson said, “This is a model of Pig-In-A-Poke Land. There are also brochures.” He nodded to the women, who whipped off the cover.
A collective gasp came from the spectators.
Gibson concluded his speech with, “You have probably been wondering why you were invited here today. The reason is simple. You all have an important part to play in revitalizing your town. And you all have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make your fortune.”
This was it, the pitch to invest their money.
Gibson made eye contact with everyone present before saying, “I’ll be making appointments to talk to each and every one of you separately, but just so you know, I want your land, and I’m prepared to pay cash.”
Skye looked at her relatives. May and Minnie were shaking their heads, her father and Uncle Emmett were scowling, but Ginger and Gillian were smiling and whispering to each other.
All around the room, voices were raised and arguments erupted. Two men were already on their feet, fists clenched.
Vince came over, squatted next to Skye’s chair, and said, “Welcome to the new
Family Feud
game, the special Scumble River edition.”
CHAPTER 10
Blue Monday
S hit! Skye stopped wiggling into her bathing suit and stood with the maillot around her knees. It had just dawned on her that the high school pool would be closed because of the fire. Damn! She needed the exercise, and more importantly, the stress release that swimming provided.
Great. Now she would have to face a Monday without her morning swim. And it would undoubtedly be quite a Monday. She had tried all Sunday
After everyone finished eating, waiters came by with bottles of champagne and trays of glasses. While they wereserving, Moss Gibson stepped back up to the dais and spoke into the mike. “Did everyone enjoy brunch?”
A polite round of applause answered him.
“Good. Now, lean back, sip your bubbly, and enjoy the show. The lights darkened and a screen descended from the ceiling. After a few seconds of blurry gray snow, an image of an amusement park appeared, and the recorded voice of a has-been movie star said, “Welcome to Spudville, located just outside the growing town of Rat Cove, Idaho. At one time, this fine community was in serious financial trouble, but now with the thousands of tourists Spudville attracts to the area, it’s turned into a thriving city.”
Skye watched in appalled silence. From the Mashed Potato Water Ride to the Tater Tot Train, the attractions grew tackier and in worse taste with each one shown. The pièce de résistance was something called the “French Fried Follies”—a
Hee-Haw
-type show that insulted and exploited women at every possible level.
By the time the promotional film ended, Skye wanted to scream. Not only was the whole thing hokey beyond belief, it stereotyped and insulted almost every minority on the planet.
Before she could express her exasperation, Moss Gibson began to speak. “Folks, up until now Spudville has been my pride and joy, but in less than a year, with all of your help, my new vision, Pig-In-A-Poke Land, will outshine Spudville.”
As he paused for breath, Skye noted that most of the crowd looked confused, but some people were already nodding and whispering to their neighbors.
Gibson went on, “Pig-In-A-Poke Land will encompass three hundred acres, including parking and the Farmer-in-the-Dell Hotel. We’ll employ over a thousand people. This doesn’t count the jobs that will become available as support businesses spring up.”
The audience was beginning to split into two groups—the ones sitting with frowns, shaking their heads, and the others smiling and taking notes.
Suddenly two young women in denim bikinis, straw hats, and cowboy boots appeared, pushing a wheeled table between them. A white cloth was draped over the table’s contents. Voices immediately rose.
After the noise died down, Gibson said, “This is a model of Pig-In-A-Poke Land. There are also brochures.” He nodded to the women, who whipped off the cover.
A collective gasp came from the spectators.
Gibson concluded his speech with, “You have probably been wondering why you were invited here today. The reason is simple. You all have an important part to play in revitalizing your town. And you all have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make your fortune.”
This was it, the pitch to invest their money.
Gibson made eye contact with everyone present before saying, “I’ll be making appointments to talk to each and every one of you separately, but just so you know, I want your land, and I’m prepared to pay cash.”
Skye looked at her relatives. May and Minnie were shaking their heads, her father and Uncle Emmett were scowling, but Ginger and Gillian were smiling and whispering to each other.
All around the room, voices were raised and arguments erupted. Two men were already on their feet, fists clenched.
Vince came over, squatted next to Skye’s chair, and said, “Welcome to the new
Family Feud
game, the special Scumble River edition.”
CHAPTER 10
Blue Monday
S hit! Skye stopped wiggling into her bathing suit and stood with the maillot around her knees. It had just dawned on her that the high school pool would be closed because of the fire. Damn! She needed the exercise, and more importantly, the stress release that swimming provided.
Great. Now she would have to face a Monday without her morning swim. And it would undoubtedly be quite a Monday. She had tried all Sunday
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