Alex Rider: A Billionaires Paradise

Water-Boarding

"So, ever been to Scotland?"
"Couple times." This was true.
"What do you think about it? The lochs and the mountains."

"The lochs are nice. Not to swim in though." Last time he'd been, he'd nearly drowned.
"Yeah, I wouldn't recommend it. If you stick to the shallows it's fine, but deeper water is just freezing."
"The landscape is somewhat different to what i'm used to. The amount of green, and lack of dodgy apartment building..."
Blair chuckled. "Ha ha, I know what you mean."

They continued in an awkward silence, and it became obvious that Blair was a bit uncomfortable.

"Tell me about the car."
"Oh. My area of expertise. It's an AWD, 4 by 4 by 4. That means each wheel is powered by it own engine. Because of the nature of electric engine technology, it's got a load of torque. Good acceleration."
"What about top speed?"
"Well, also because of how electric engines are right now, it doesn't have a great top end. Hits the limit at about a hundred. But there aren't many places that you'd use that speed."
"Yeah, our little car only struggles on motorways."
"Well, your car is meant for the city. As small as it can be, and really maneuverable. This hunk is more sluggish. It can take a turn, don't get me wrong, but it's less...responsive. Although, if you turn off the front engines, with special programming, its quite good at drifting. Obviously we don't market it as that, but it works."
"Interesting."
"Do you drive?"
"No...not officially, but it doesn't look to hard"
"Thinking about getting lessons?"
"I think my work might pay for them."
"Hmm. Well, the offer's there."
"Thanks anyway."

They continued along the motorway for a few minutes, when Blair suddenly pointed out of the window.
"Look! Highland cows."
Alex swiveled his head and, sure enough, a herd of orange cows where standing. Their long coats hung down over their eyes like a ginger fringe, and it reminded him of someone from school. Their sharp, curved horns stuck out of the matted, orange hair.

"Fun fact about highland cows, they've all got horns. Male and female."
"Cool."
"And we do have normal cows up here. Not just highland cows. Big stereotype."
"Yeah, like the whole 'everyone a ginger thing'."
"Well, that one's true. Partly. 13 percent of us are...much higher than anywhere else. Well, Ireland has 10 percent."
"Huh..."

They continued to cruise along the road. Alex looked out of the window, looking at the various fields, farm houses and large trees. He saw a sign for the A89, whatever that was. They took the turn, barely slowing down. He felt the forces pulling him to the side. He felt as though Blair was watching him, scanning him for anything suspicious. Maybe it was just him. They entered a forest, with large trees, towering up before spreading their limbs out. It wasn't long however, before they left the treeline, and slowed to follow the road as it traversed the hills and valleys, laid out like a blanket that had been disturbed. He saw a range of wildlife, from sheep, to cows, to the occasional bird of prey sitting menacingly on a fence. Eventually, Blair took a breath to speak, and alex looked up.

"So, unfortunately, we haven't figured out accommodation yet. We offer our employees a place to sleep on site, for those who choose to, but their all full. I would send someone to a hotel, but we have a few people who are leaving in a few days, so I have a few options. One, I can buy an air B'n'B, two, I can organise for one of ours to go to an air B'n'B temporarily, or three. I can let you stay at the activity center on the other end of the loch, with full range of the site. What do you say?"
"What do they have?"
"Lucky you should say. I half funded the place. They have a variety of climbing things, zip-lines, Go-carts, archery, water sports, including an artificial water-skiing line, paint-balling, all the good stuff."
"Sounds good!"
"Glad to hear it. I'll drive straight there."