Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

14. Under the counter

"What did the director say?"

"He liked it."

"Really?" Ayhan beams up at Osman as they walk to the butchershop that morning. "I mean, obviously, who wouldn't like you?"

"Yeah yeah, open up," he turns her to the door and they go to unlock it.

"Osman! Ayhan!" They turn to Muzaffer jogging up to them and then stopping to check his watch. "You're only opening now? Young people are so tardy," he laughs. "I went to your house but you were already gone. Dude, you're a star! And I know you personally."

Osman snorts and grins as he helps Ayhan to take the small grill outside.

"I watched your ad again. And then again. Some very good ideas came to mind. So," he continues in the same hurried tone, "I was thinking, Mrs Mevkhibe sells organic products, right? So, maybe we should make an advertisement and promote it."

"That's a great idea!" Ayhan nods.

"I know," Muzaffer grins proudly. "And you know what else I was thinking? Osman should be in it."

Osman looks at him a moment then turns to Ayhan who lifts a brow at this as she carries out the rest of what needs to be outside - mainly the small table and chairs. "Ayhan, Muzo is a very clever man." She snorts as he leans against the door and shakes his head at Muzaffer.

"Oh, not - " Muzaffer starts to wave off the comment and then stops, standing up a little straighter. "I am."

"Alright," Osman shrugs. "You can talk to my agent, Muzo." Muzaffer stops grinning. "He's the one who manages what I do after all."

"This will be great for your career. Everyone will know you as the face of an organic lifestyle. You're against animal byproducts, and against factorymade, fattening foods."

"I'll give you his phone number and you can tell him all of that. Talk details and if he agrees, I'll do it." There is no way Ali is agreeing.

"Fine, I'll talk to him." Muzaffer takes out a wad of cash, "but I'll talk to him with this. Money talks much louder than words. Actually, I'll just talk to you with this. I have the budget to pay you. How much?"

"Well, the bank commercial paid 100 000."

Muzaffer's smug grin drops and Ayhan stares at her brother with huge eyes full of astonishment.
"100 000?" she whispers.

"It's not that much," Osman shrugs. "They're going to be using me as a spokesperson for the next year. It's the normal rate."

"Are you - you...100?" Muzaffer stutters, coming closer and looking distraught. "100 000? The one that we know, 100 000? What kind of number is that? 100 000...And for a face? Your face? Imagine making 100 000 for having a face...It makes me want to cry...100 000..." He chokes. "Are you serious?" He blinks and then topples over into Osman, his eyes rolling to the back of his head.

"Muzo?!"

"Muzo?!" Both Osman and Ayhan yell and hold him up as his money floats to the ground around his unconscious body.

"I think that big amount might have gotten to him," Ayhan huffs, patting his face.

**

"You have some great ideas for the promotioting of this book."

Sanem smiles at Yigit after she stops writing. "You think so?" She'd come down quickly to see him when he called, figuring a few minutes wouldn't hurt. "It's just some fast ones. I'll work on them more later."

Yigit turns her notebook back and taps the page. "Number 2 is my favorite. I think I'll use it in the future. If you don't mind?"

"Hmm, and this chocolate cake is my favorite," she says and takes another bite from the big piece between them with a satisfied hum. "I can definitely finish one of these off by myself."