Use Defiance

I had considered what to do during my performance and, while I would have preferred to demonstrate my ability to follow a money trail through a dozen shell companies, trusts, and every other financial obfuscation mechanism, I decided to try and put myself in Mira's shoes and give a performance that might get me purchased by the same cartel.

While I wouldn’t call my sister a “rebel”, since she didn’t just rebel for the sake of being contrary, she certainly did have a tendency to defy anyone who said she couldn’t do something. Trying to embody that defiance I came up with a plan that could potentially flop spectacularly.

So, when the chime signaled that we should begin our performances, I strode forward, stepping to the very edge of the stage. I stared directly at the center of each shadowed box, stern faced and indifferent. Then, I turned and strode back to where the balding man was pushing a ridiculously overblown chair from a dolly, letting it land on the floor with a satisfying “thud” that caused the other girls to pause and glance my way.

He placed a tiny drink table beside my throne and I turned and sat in the luxurious seat before I carelessly lifted the one prop I had carried out myself, a simple martini glass. Thankfully, the balding man played along and filled my glass, even adding a bit of garnish on top. Then, he took the dolly and disappeared stage right.

So, there I sat, reclined on a plush chair, sipping, what I was pleasantly surprised to find was, a potent gin martini in a dress that was way too revealing for my usual tastes, but which seemed perfectly suited for the persona I was trying to embody, whilst five other competitors put on a show.

When the chime signaled the end of the performances, a voice over the loudspeaker said, "Setenta e cinco, saia do palco à sua esquerda, do lado oposto de onde você entrou." And, it was immediately followed by another voice that said, "Seventy-two, exit to your left, opposite where you entered. Todos los demás, salgan a su derecha, por donde entraron."

At the command, all the others moved in the indicated directions, just like good little sheep. I, on the other hand, sat there and sipped my martini until I finished a minute later. Then, setting the glass on the drink table, I rose and strode off stage left, as indicated, but hopefully not appearing too compliant.