ALICE Ch 38

“I don’t know.” Alice shrugs again. “Glynda made me do like a last-minute meet and greet. And it’s these super-rich Russians, and they’re like really sweet. And hot,” she adds. “And they invited me to swim because they’d like rented the entire pool floor, so I went. And we were talking. And she was like a big fan of FUTA. Like real FUTA. And we were talking about that. And we went upstairs and got it on.” Alice pauses. It’s kind of embarrassing to just say it like that. “And then her daughter came up and we did it too. Don’t worry. Her daughter is like older than me,” she adds quickly. “Nothing weird. I mean, not weirder than like… a mom and her daughter both having sex with the same F1 driver… OK, a little weird. A little weird,” she admits, waving her hands. “But mostly hot. I’m not sorry.”

As Alice has spoken, Kylie’s eyes have grown wider and her gaze has only grown more distant.

“Glynda put you up to it,” she says faintly.

“Well, I guess. Usually these people approach the team. I guess it all has to go through her.”

“Alice,” Kylie says.

“Yes?”

“Don’t you understand what’s happened? This, and then suddenly we’re in a partnership with a big Russian oil company?”

“We are?”

“Do you not read?”

Alice clears her throat. “I read,” she says defensively.

“Glynda’s pimped you out to a Russian oligarch.”

Alice squints, puzzled. “An ogle gecko?”

“An oligarch!” Kylie bursts out, visibly furious.

“You’re not speaking English. Australians are weirdos. I have been saying this.”

Kylie puts her face in her hands.

“What is the problem?” Alice demands, indignant. “It sounds like I got you a raise!”

“From them?” Kylie moans.

“What’s your problem with them? Is this about the daughter thing? Because that wasn’t my idea. That was all them. And we still shouldn’t kink-shame.”

“They’re Russians, you massive bogan!”

“So what? Don’t be racist.”

“Have you forgotten about Ukraine?”

Alice frowns. “Heard of it,” she says uncertainly.

Kylie uncovers her face. “Have you not thought to ask why we haven’t got a Russian Grand Prix anymore?”

Alice hesitates. “Because it’s cold there? That’s why Napoleon couldn’t do his thing there,” she adds. “And Hitler. I think.”

“Does America even have schools?”

Alice shrugs. “I mean, kind of. Are you mad at me? Because I was just being a citizen of the world, you know? It would be messed up for me to be racist against these Russians. It’s not like Irina’s doing war crimes.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Kylie says seriously.

“You seem tense. Can I help you relax?” Alice makes suggestive motions with her fingers. “It’s not healthy to stay all wound up like this. Timeless wisdom. I learned that in American schools. I'm like, so smart.”