Rhodia River - In the stream of love [Book 1]

Chapter 4 - 'Cats'

MONICA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Monica receives Annie. She is chewing on a bag of cookies, while Monica is satisfied with a cup of green tea. There is a cup for Annie on the coffee table. The two friends go on talking and eating/drinking at the same time.

Annie asks, "I didn't see you yesterday, my friend, after the incident. So, did everything do well?"

"If you're referring to me arriving at the publisher on time and delivering my manuscript, yes, of course, it worked. Now let's see if it will work out for me to be called by that phone and be informed that they're going to publish." Monica smiles, "And may they pay me at least R$ 2.00 per book."

Annie gets shocked. "Monica, this is very little! They'll sell the book for at least R$ 20.00; why only two bucks for you?"

Monica smiles smartly, "If I sell a million copies, I'll earn TWO MILLION in royalties, do you understand?"

Annie choked on the piece of cookie she chewed. "Yeah, I hadn't seen it from this perspective!"

"That's how you win in life, darling, thinking calmly and in the long run. What's the use of paying R$ 10.00 if I don't sell even 100 copies? Besides the publisher kicking my ass, I won't have the heart to write another one."

Annie speaks in a not-so-convincing tone, "Oh, dear, I wish everything would work out."

Monica notices her friend's tone. "Is there a problem, Annie?"

Annie gets up, drops the package, takes the cup, and drinks all the tea at once as if it were whiskey.

"Jonas. He picked me up at the Malthus snack bar. It looked like I was committing adultery."

Monica straightens up in the chair. She holds emotions, "Did he offend you, did he hurt you?"

Annie is quick to answer, "N-no! It's just that idea that he and his parents have... That Seu Aurélio is a cruel competitor that needs to be fought."

Monica rolls her eyes. "Oh, dear, there is room for everyone! The neighborhood is so big..."

"I just wanna see what it will be like if a Dalmerri or Extrabom appears in the neighborhood!"

Monica reacts humanely, penalized. "I'm going to talk to him, friend."

"No, Monica, you don't have to..."

Monica gets up and goes to Annie. She puts her hands on her shoulders and applies strength.

"What a hell I don't need, I do! Jonas needs to understand that we're in capitalism, where the customer is the boss. If you want to eat at the Malthus cafeteria or Seb's bodega, whatever, it's your money!"

Annie speaks softly, "Actually, it's my parents—"

"You got me, friend. And don't worry about it. I'm here to help you."

Annie is thrilled, "As always, right?"

Such a touching moment between friends, the two embrace.

***

RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

Célio comes in. Tito receives him effusively.

"Good morning, my boy!"

"Seu Tito, do you have any more posters? Chief Roldão asked to put one up at the police station. He wasn't aware of the Assembly."

Tito is intrigued. "Didn't you stick in the snack bar?"

"I stuck in several strategic locations, sir. But, the neighborhood is large, it will need more."

"I'll provide more posters; you can leave them to me. For now, you have nothing to do. Take your money."