Cui Bono

IV

Twenty minutes after she left the party, Katherine entered The Cornucopia, and headed towards the table Amy usually set aside for her business meetings; her promotional whiz, Monique Cisoux, and the Cooperative's accountant (and Katherine's cousin), Ricki D'Amico, were already there, eating sandwiches and drinking iced tea.

"We should really start planning this earlier in the year," Katherine mused, as she removed her bag from her shoulder and sat down. "If only I wasn't so busy."

"I'm sure Julie and Shelly wouldn't mind tackling a lot of the day-to-day operations."

"They already do. But the Cooperative and Phoenix Ranch are my babies, and thus my responsibility." Katherine slid a sheet of papyrus across the table. "Let's get started, shall we?"

Monique smiled as she picked up the sheet. "Of course." She studied it. "Silent auction, studio tour with items for sale, a services auction, art show, book sale, Battle of the Bands..."

"Beyond an item or two, the staples. Nate had the brilliant idea of including a film festival, in which the films which get the most votes get distributed by the Cooperative—I believe I sent you an email about that."

Monique nodded. "It was very detailed."

"On Nate's suggestion, I spoke to Janis about finding a way to involve video games in the fundraiser—we're still brainstorming. On a heavier note, I ran into Reuben Neufeld at Cammy Van Groningen's birthday party earlier today, and he apparently thinks it's a good idea for us to host some of the Battle of the Bands shows at a club Benjamin Neufeld recently bought. We can talk about that, but I don't feel like throwing the Neufelds any bones."

Monique smirked, then returned her attention to the papyrus sheet. "You have some great ideas, Katherine, but I think you can do more to attract more people who have money."

"Such as..."

"I know you don't like hearing this, but a fashion show..."

Katherine sighed, and sat back.

"Hear me out. We all have a low opinion of the fashion-industrial complex, so I'm thinking having a fashion show at the fundraiser will attract people—with money—who actually care about that sort of thing while giving exposure to designers who wouldn't otherwise get a fair shake."

"I appreciate what those designers have to deal with. But even if a fashion show did attract more people, and more money, wouldn't people who normally support the ranch and fundraiser think I'd started pandering to the lowest common denominator just for credits?"

"Think of where the credits are going."

"It's the principle, Ricki."

Monique and Ricki looked at each other. "OK, we'll table the fashion-show idea," Monique said.

"Katherine! Monique!"

Katherine, Monique, and Ricki turned to see Amelia and Celeste Van Leeuwen, who sat with them.

"What've you been up to?" Katherine asked.

"We just came back from Greece. And we're building a lounge and youth centre, which will hopefully be open this fall."

Amelia sighed. "Sorry about that. I wanted to keep it quiet until the construction was complete." She gave Celeste a look of slight reprimand.

"How about we split the proceeds of this year's fundraiser between the ranch and the youth centre?"

"That's a great idea, Katherine. Thank you." Amelia's eyes brightened.