BXBX NOVEL Chapter 71 - Relaxation
The Stingray hovered over Santa Monica Bay, where a mega-yacht was waiting.
Looking out the window, Jennifer was shocked to see such a large yacht parked a mile off the coast of Malibu.
"I wasn\'t aware Future Tech built luxury yachts as big as this one," Robert commented after looking out the window.
"Of course not. We can only build cargo ships at the Houston Port currently. The yacht is Lürssen\'s latest design. A man named Paulos is attempting to woo me into buying it." Vince explained.
"His mother loves this yacht, and as far as I\'m concerned, Vince already owns it," Elon stated as banter.
"Come on, Elon. I know you only want to enjoy the yacht while I\'m away." Vince replied with his banter.
3D Jaden and Wonder Alice were dead silent due to their sheer excitement to experience life on a mega-yacht.
They landed a few minutes later and got themselves situated in the lounge room while the crew served refreshments, snacks, and drinks.
Jennifer had gotten to know Kyle and Rick before the E3 announcement started. So she decided to sit next to Vince, Jessica, and Sarah to strike up a conversation.
"Men from the have Hollywood scene have invited me to yachts plenty of times before, but I\'ve never seen one as big as this," Jennifer said to break the ice.
"Makes sense. Paulos told me this yacht is the biggest in any sea or ocean. I\'ll name it \'The Longhorn\' after I talk to him tomorrow." Vince replied.
"Great name choice, Vince. People back home will love it." Sarah commented.
"Oh, I get it. Like the Texas Longhorn cattle, University of Texas\' mascot." Jennifer added.
"You know your college lore, Jennifer. I didn\'t expect that from you." Jessica stated.
"Why didn\'t you think so? Just because I never finished high school or college?" Jennifer replied angrily in defense.
"Calm down, Jennifer. She didn\'t mean it that way. I\'m aware you consider yourself a \'self-educated\' professional but look at us. Kyle, Jessica, Rick, Sarah, and I barely take our homeschool seriously because we work more than sixty hours a week. We\'re more alike than you think." Vince said reassuringly.
"Vince is right. You\'re busy acting in blockbuster movies to have enough time for studies on the side." Sarah added.
The Rock, Elon, and Robert overheard their conversation and interjected by ordering drinks for everyone from the crew.
"Relax, Jennifer. We\'re here to have fun at Vince Dalton\'s request. Let\'s not be so on edge." Robert commented.
"I\'ll have one of my men pick up swimming and leisure attire for all of you, in case you want to swim in the pool, drink at the jacuzzi, and stay the night. We have enough rooms for 36 people on board." Vince stated.
"Who\'s down to ride jet skis on the Pacific with me?" Rick asked curiously.
"Fuck yeah!" "I\'m down!" Kyle and The Rock replied in unison.
"You kids, be careful out there," Robert said jokingly.
The three men gulped down their vodka cocktails and immediately went straight to the stern of the ship.
"Do you mind if I jet ski with them, Mr. Dalton?" 3D Jaden asked in a hushed tone.
"We have more than enough jet skis. Go ahead. And call me Vince, please." Vince replied.
"How about you, Alice? Interested in some water sports?" He asked.
"I\'ll stay and drink with you guys here for now. Do you mind if I take some videos for my vlog?" Alice asked.
"You can but be mindful of where you point the camera. You\'re a Twitch streamer, right?" Vince asked.
"Yes. Instagram Live is doing well right now, but as a video game streamer, the best platform is Twitch." Alice replied honestly.
[Instagram Live will do better in the gaming industry if I integrate Twitch somehow.] Vince pondered.
"Thank you for your opinion. I\'ll keep it in mind. Future Tech might buy Twitch soon based on what you\'ve said. Streamers are the lifeblood of modern video games, after all. And I want War Online and Everlife to stay relevant for years to come." Vince explained.
[I\'ve never heard anyone refer to streamers in that way. So is streaming supposed to be popular now?] Alice thought.
"What\'s this streamer mumbo jumbo you guys are talking about?" Robert asked curiously.
"It\'s self-publishing live entertainment like playing video games, a music show, or any form of media you\'d see on TV, but broadcasted on internet platforms like Instagram or Twitch," Jessica explained.
"It\'s understandable why you\'re not aware of streaming because it has only gotten popular recently due to War Online and the APL. Streamers are branching out to other types of content like vlogging and game shows nowadays." Alice added.
"I\'m not that old already, am I? You youngins are making me jealous of your youth." Robert said in banter.
While they were talking, Vince smelled something funky in the air and looked outside the lounge to see Elon smoking a joint by the yacht\'s railing.
"Elon, what\'s going on out there?" Vince asked in jest.
"You said we should relax, and smoking Cali Kush is the best way to do that around here in California," Elon replied with a grin on his face.
"Elon, come here inside and let me have a few hits. Then, I\'ll sponsor the next ounce." Vince instructed.
Vince didn\'t toke like a bitch and hit the J as an experienced smoker.
[I still got it. But, damn, it\'s been years since I traveled back in time and last smoked the ganja.] So Vince thought while enjoying a puff.
"I didn\'t know you smoked, Vince. It never occurred to me such a serious businessman like yourself would be into things like this." Elon stated in banter.
"You\'re one to talk. Are you planning on getting high before heading to Mars?" Vince replied, adding to the banter.
"May I? It smells too good to pass up." Robert asked.
"Whoa! Tony Stark likes getting lit too." Vince replied.
"Don\'t call me Tony Stark; it\'s incredibly embarrassing coming from you. You\'re more of a Tony Stark than I am." Robert stated.
"Tony Stark is a genius, and I\'m just a lucky kid who spends his money wisely," Vince replied honestly.
"Don\'t mind Vince when he\'s like this. Always so modest about his success. We\'re literally enjoying the finest alcohol on the world\'s largest yacht right now." Elon commented.
"How much does Future Tech make? Unfortunately, it\'s not a public company, so no one truly knows except you and your accounting department. I\'m just curious. " Jennifer asked inquisitively.
[Talking about money isn\'t my style, but everyone is getting drunk and high, so there shouldn\'t be too much harm to share a bit.] Vince pondered while smoking.
"We pay and fund our staff well, so most of our profits get instantly halved. However, net profit last year was about $75 billion and projected to increase massively in Q4 of 2013. Not as high as the large oil and gas corporations, but we\'ll get there." Vince explained.
"Wow! Not even Apple makes that much profit in a year." Robert commented.
"But Apple isn\'t winning a war in Afghanistan and providing life-altering medical services," Marco interjected from the sideline.
"Marco, stop acting so serious and grab a drink. Have fun and let the other FS operators do their job." Vince instructed.
A few crew members appeared holding Future Couture bags for each guest containing complete sets of vacation clothing from the summer collection.
"This swimsuit looks and feels incredible," Alice mentioned while checking out her new clothes.
"It\'s my treat. The crew will guide y\'all to your private staterooms. Get dressed and jump in the jacuzzi whenever, and I\'ll have our drinks brought to us." Vince stated.
An hour of conversation later, The Rock, Kyle, Rick, and Jaden returned from their jet ski escapade.
Jennifer felt more at ease after her little outburst earlier and continued drinking and talking to Vince and others.
"So someone tried to kill you at your old home? That\'s so scary." Jennifer stated.
"But he beat the contract killer with a sweet double-leg takedown, from what Director Price told me. Vince has a heart of a lion!" Marco commented in his drunkenness.
"Stop, Marco. You\'re embarrassing me in front of our guests." Vince instructed.
"Being courageous isn\'t embarrassing at all, Vince. On the contrary, I think it\'s quite charming." Jennifer stated seductively.
[Is it just me, or is it getting hot in here?] Vince pondered while gulping his Vesper Martini.
Stats last time checked:
Future Tech current valuation - $300 billion
15 million BTC (currently trades at $1,000)
$10 Billion cash in Future Tech
105,000+ employees (FT AI, Future Studios, Hive Mind Manufacturing, FT Micro Devices, BitCash, FT VR, Future Tech F1, FT Investments, Future Arms, Future Med, Future Tech Robotics, Future Education, SpaceX)
20,000+ operators under Future Security
Personal Vehicles: Klassen Phantom, Agera R, Agera SFV, Boeing Luxury 787 Dreamliner
Five company collaborators (Epic, Koenegisegg, SpaceX, Tesla, Hyundai C&E)
Dozens of investments under Future Tech Holdings (i..e., Instagram)