Factor Industries Charity Event: October 18th, 2016

[ceofactor]

Even for Benjamin Factor, arranging this charity event had been something of a challenge. Just as he held great influence in Gateway City, Thunder Corp's influence in Locke was great as well. But with time and money, all things were indeed possible in this case, and the Memorial Dance Hall was playing host to the night's events. It was a glamorous affair: politicians, captains of business, dignitaries, and celebrities had been invited. For whatever controversy that existed, the world legitimately wanted to heal the wounds left by the invasion, and that meant there were a lot of people who wanted to use events like this to either advance that cause, or to make themselves look good.

But they weren't the only sorts of individuals who had recieved an invitation.

Benjamin Factor had also made it so the Numbered would be invited to his little party. Arrivals through the teleporter would be greeted by drivers at the community center, and the same courtesy was extended to anyone who might live in Locke. The only stipulation? Was that anyone who came make an effort to make themselves presentable. If that was a problem, or anyone arrived without knowing, they had clothes on hand for people to change into.

Indeed, it seemed that the Numbered would be well provided for tonight. That being said, their presence would get people to talk, given the presence of news crews making live coverage. Nevertheless... "getting people to talk" seemed to be exactly what Benjamin Factor wanted to happen.

[Event Links: Event Speakers | NPC Interaction | General Mingle]

Comments

[dictator_ko]

"Thank you. I chose it carefully." Compliments are always a good way to put Mina in a pleasant mood. She's easy prey to buttering up. And she had put considerable thought into her outfit. "My name's Mina Weaver."

[ceofactor]

Factor notices the positive effect the praise of Mina's appearance and taste seems to have, and files it away for future reference. If there's one thing he's great at, aside from making money and performing card tricks at parties, it's getting along with people and charming them.

"Mina Weaver! Lovely name for a lovely girl. So... card trick, card trick..." he mulls it over, trying to come up with one he hasn't performed this evening. "...ah! I know just the one. Please accompany me to yon table..." he begins moving in that direction, glancing over his shoulder to make sure that Mina is following.

"One question, though, my dear. You are not a vampire, are you? I'm afraid this trick might not work if you are."

[dictator_ko]

As Mina follows Factor, she almost hums a little, but doesn't do so. "Have you ever seen a vampire that looked like me? Actually, nevermind, I wouldn't be surprised. I'm not a vampire. Does it involve a mirror or something?"

[ceofactor]

"Aha! While I see your point, I am afraid I have to ask everyone," he laughs good-naturedly. "You see, for this card trick to work, the audience participant needs a pulse. You have one, don't you?"

When they reach the table, he finishes shuffling and spreads the cards out in front of them. "Pick a card! Look at it, don't show me, and remember what it is!"

[dictator_ko]

"Of course, I have one." But she wouldn't be surprised if there's a catgirl somewhere out there without a pulse. She's seen some weird stuff already.

She deliberates carefully over the cards before just suddenly grabbing the first one her hand falls onto.

[ceofactor]

"Excellent! Why then, we shouldn't have any problems whatsoever." He smiles beatifically as she selects her card.

"When you've seen it as memorized it, place it on top of the deck and I will shuffle it back in. Then the truly amazing part will be revealed!"

[dictator_ko]

Mina takes a close look at the card then slaps it back onto the desk. "Okay, if a card trick can be amazing."

[ceofactor]

"Ah! I love skeptics," he says fondly, shuffling the card back into the deck. "I feel it makes me feel like I can't slack off and get sloppy. I appreciate having a little something to prove."

When he's done shuffling, he spreads the cards over the tabletop, face-up in a row.

"Now, my dear, would you be so kind as to extend your hand and stick out your pointer-finger?"

[dictator_ko]

"If you manage to amaze me, I'll be surprised." But she extends her pointer finger as instructed.

[ceofactor]

"Then, in that case, it will be my pleasure to surprise and delight you," Factor answers, rising excitedly to the challenge.

He closes his eyes, reaching out and taking her wrist, resting his thumb against Mina's pulse point and counting softly under his breath. As he does so, he guides her pointer finger to the cards on the table... until it rests on the card that Mina chose.

"Your pulse tells me that is your card, Mina. Look familiar?"

[dictator_ko]

"Cute trick. I beat it doesn't have anything to do with my pulse." Mina isn't displeased, though.

[ceofactor]

"What?" Factor asks, feigning shock and offense in the most entertaining and overblown fashion imaginable. "Nonsense! It was entirely your pulse that allowed me to find the card. If you can figure it out I invite you to expose me; otherwise, it was your very heartbeat that led me to the truth."

[dictator_ko]

"So corny." But Mina's still smiling. "I still say it's just a trick, but you've gotten me fooled. I guess you won't tell me how you did it? I bet you won't!"

[ceofactor]

"Ah..." Factor shrugs sadly, but manages not to drop his air of good humor. "I'm afraid that a magician cannot stop someone from trying to guess how an illusion is performed, but they cannot give away their secrets! It would ruin the magic, truly, for everyone."

[dictator_ko]

"Well, anyways, it was entertaining." And that's what counts in her mind.

[ceofactor]

"If that is the case, then I have done my part," Factor says with a gracious, deep nod. "Won't you please enjoy the rest of the party, Mina? There are so many to meet and mingle with."

[dictator_ko]

Mina had been hoping to talk a little more with Factor about a few things, but she can take a hint. There's always later, after all. "This's quite a nice party. I think I'll go and enjoy it."

[ceofactor]

Factor tips his head graciously. "Why thank you. I do try to go all-out for deserving and exceptional individuals," he says, as he strolls away through the mingling crowds to show someone else his card tricks.