Businesswoman Chapter 73

Time seemed to slow with Loreen and Lisa on spring break. They relaxed by the shore. Or tried to do so. When Loreen’s phone buzzed, she recalled a commercial where the recipient of the call skipped his mobile device into the ocean like a stone.

“Don’t answer it,” Lisa suggested.

Loreen sighed. “Yes, Mr. Mayor,” she intoned. Lisa had been lying down, now she sat up, alert.

“Okay we can be in town in about forty-five minutes,” Loreen replied with an even voice.

“Socialista? Common Man?”

“Worse. Altruismo is back.”

“What’s he doing?” Lisa asked.

“He’s strapped himself to the opening of the Diamante Bank.”

“Just when I was starting to get my tan….” Lisa observed.

When they arrived at the site a crowd of people had formed. It became a spectacle. Businesspeople sought other ways of getting into the building.

“Compassionate capitalism!” Altruismo yelped. He could only say this tired, false idea because if he shouted altruism, he’d speak of something so monstrous that no one would hear him out. Given his name, no one believed him, however.

Loreen and Lisa coursed through the crowd like a sea parting. Some claps and cheers rose up amongst the congregants.

“It’s Businesswoman and Businessgirl,” they whispered. Then they shouted to drown out Altruismo.

He looked, his eyes wild. A small, crooked smile scrawled across his face when he saw the two of them.

Loreen walked up to Altruismo.

“The cops will arrest you for blocking private property. We don’t have their authority, but we have the power of persuasion. If you stop now, you’ll be hit with a fine and just have to perform community service.”

“I have to get the key,” Altruismo replied.

“Alright. Do what you must,” Lisa addressed him.

The police officers arrested him right there.

Crowds dispersed.