Lilly
U comin to Rand Rave?
Paula
r u really working there?
Lilly
Sherpa to the tech stars!
Lilly
music, molly & artisanal mac’n’cheese in the middle of the desert!
Paula
sounds awesome & unreal
Lilly
no worries, girl. my treat.
Lilly
my boss is a super rich techie nerd
Lilly
with a customized RV & live band on board
Lilly
at the head of Billionaires’ Row -- center stage to the Big Bonfire
Paula
Sounds great. I’ll be there!
Lilly
hope you don’t mind working a little
Paula
Waitressing? Dish washing?
Lilly
some of that. mostly greeting the guests, dancing with them & stuff
Paula
By “stuff” you mean sex?
Lilly
only if you find a hot rich guy you like -- and there’s plenty here
Paula
Dunno, sounds kinda creepy
Lilly
if u don’t wanna dance u don’t have 2
Lilly
u can just hand out popsicles
Lilly
how about that sparkly blue dress?
Lilly
gotta stand out in a crowd of Randers.
Paula
OK… send me a ticket.
Paula
Ok, you must be busy. I’ll meet you at work.
Paula
This place is awesome! Hot, too! Like 120 degrees! Popsicles are melting…
Paula
The RV is the size of a spaceship. How come only “paying guests” get AC? I’m sweating my knobs off.
Paula
Hey - no one here knows you. You got an alias?
Paula
The food in the kitchen is great, but they chased me out. Said I wasn’t allowed.
Paula
Told me to go suck on a popsicle. Rudeness to us workers. How can you stand it?
Paula
I also saw something really weird…
Paula
A long line of photos on the dining room wall. All sherpas, like you--
Paula
I saw your name there -- but your photo is missing -- like someone ripped it off the wall.
Paula
And no one here admits they know you or that you even exist.
Paula
What’s up with that?!
Paula
This place ain’t right!!
Paula
I walked into a conference room - “Bot Transfers” -
Paula
and there were 4 girls on stretchers with big metal patches and burns all over their bodies!!!
Paula
Some nurse shouted at me, and began to run at me with a giant needle!
Paula
I ran out before she could get me and passed by a bunch of robots hanging like clothes from the ceiling.
Peter_Bachus
Hello Paula. I’m Peter Bachus, CEO of ZappenBots and Lead Patron of Rand Rave.
Paula
Where’s my friend Lilly?
Peter_Bachus
Lilly left us. Quit her job. But we’d like you to stay.
Paula
She wouldn’t leave without telling me. What have you done to her?
Peter_Bachus
She left on her own accord, so I assume that she is fine. Would you care to learn more about Rand Rave, and the benefits we offer?
Paula
Not until I speak with Lilly.
Peter_Bachus
Okay. I will send out a search party for her. In the meantime, I’d like to offer you a gourmet lunch:
Peter_Bachus
lobster, sushi, steak tartare, and champagne. And let me tell you a little about our mission.
Peter_Bachus
Rand Rave is based on the principles of Radical Self-Reliance.
Peter_Bachus
This is why we do not keep track of our employees once they’ve moved on.
Paula
Good. Cause I’m leaving.
Peter_Bachus
You’ll miss the Big Bonfire. We can give you a front row view.
Paula
Why are you suddenly treating me different than the other workers who slave for you?
Peter_Bachus
Those who show initiative and self-reliance get rewarded accordingly.
Peter_Bachus
From your exploring the RV, I can see that you have an innate curiosity and drive.
Paula
Who are all those burn patients?
Peter_Bachus
Randers like to work hard and play hard. These few worked and played a little too hard.
Peter_Bachus
They are being well treated. Medical care is deducted from their independent contractor fees.
Peter_Bachus
But that’s something we can negotiate with you.
Paula
I got 4 words for you, and 2 of them are I QUIT!
Lilly
come to the BitCoin Canteen & we’ll talk
Paula
Did you get away from them? Where r u now?!!!
Lilly
I’m okay. Laying low behind the porta potties. It stinks!
Paula
I can’t believe they locked the gate on us. When I saw them pulling out their guns, I thought we were gonna die!!!
Paula
u never did explain what the Randers are doing? Something about a ‘Foundation Scripture’?
Lilly
didn’t have time. running so fast.
Lilly
it’s like the Singularity -- Randers believe in an afterlife, but one here on earth.
Paula
Like uploading their brains into a computer?
Lilly
Yes, our advanced silicon intelligence will bring select humans to the next stage of evolution.
Lilly
Immortality and more will be ours: sexual freedom, legal drugs, radical technocapitalism without government interference or obligations to unions or lower classes.
Lilly
but none of this is possible without some sacrifices.
Lilly
Come to the stage and see.
Paula
You crazy?! I thought you wanted to escape!
Paula
They brainwash you, girl?! C’mon, let’s find another way out!
Lilly
Sir, I have the report ready for inclusion in The Foundation Scripture.
Peter_Bachus
Thank you, Lilly. You may send it now.
Lilly
The Freedom Festival began with celebratory music and the consumption of sacred substances.
Lilly
Upon the capture of the living subject, the ceremonial dance circled the center stage.
Lilly
The Big Bonfire was lit, sending the sacrificial offering to the great Silicon Spirit.
Lilly
We forecast another year of growth and profitability, with a 36% increase in carbon-to-bot transfers.
Peter_Bachus
Good recruiting, Lilly. It was a lovely evening.
Lilly
And her dress burned so bright… and sparkly.
