“I low-key want to thrift it this year.”

“Thrift it? Really?”

“Everyone’s doing it nowadays, might as well save a couple bucks on decorations.”

“Save a couple– you do remember how important this is, yes?”

“Yeah yeah, sure. Super beneficial and stuff yada yada.”

“Take this seriously Para! We could go under without this. We have to keep up appearances. Make it seem like we’re capable.”

“Right. The best. So should I dress the sewer rats in pink or yellow ribbons?”

“Hey look–”

“Oh, and while I’m at it, let me bedazzle the peeling wallpaper with 24 carat gold and sparkling gemstones.”

“Alright fine I ge–”

“No no no, you’re right! Come on, let’s go splurge our family fortunes on a pack of elephants to parade us in. You know, our great hoard of $13.44 and 7 outstanding loans.”

“Didn’t we just get that check for a thousand?”

“Have you ever heard of rent? Might be a bit of a foreign concept to someone so high and noble as you, your majesty.”

“Ok ok jeez I get it already, quit being so…”

“So me? Nah. This right here? This is peak human performance. If you don’t like it, the door’s open.”

“You know I don’t mean that, it’s just… Can you actually take something seriously for once?”

“Why don’t you take things less seriously? You’re always so uptight and busy, h*** I don’t even know the last time you’ve slept more than 3 hours.”

“I have to! We’ve practically run ourselves into the dirt; we’ll be out of business by next month without a miracle. Even if it means staying up all night, there’s gotta be something.”

“Right. Counter argument: besides the party, is there anything you’ve found that can help us ‘sides a blind wish?”

“Not yet, but…”

“And there’s absolutely no way we could get a dime from your family?”

“They’d rather burn it to ash.”

“Then I hate to say it, but you probably won’t find a way. Face it, there’s no way out of this besides pure chance. Even if there is, you aren’t gonna find it while surviving off caffeine and a fleeting dream.”

“But–”

“Nuh uh, you’re going to bed.”

“It’s 1:40 and–”

“And? Better now than never.”

“The party’s in a week! I still have to plan!”

“You want to seem capable? Take care of yourself. That much red in your eyes can’t be healthy.”

“I’m fine!”

“You sure? Or are you so juiced up on coffee that you can’t notice if you aren’t?”

“Para, I’m fine, now let’s get back to work.”

“On what?”

“The bakery obviously.”

“Yeah but like. What part?”

“The… you know, the thing.”

“The thing?”

“Yeah!”

“Right… Are you sure you don’t need sleep?”

“More than positive, I’ll be fine.”

“I’m not buying it. You know what? I promise that if you go to bed now, I’ll let you do all the shopping for the party.”

“Oh come on, that’s low.”

“Your choice Ida. What’s it gonna be?”

“You promise that if I go to sleep right now, I get full say in what we get?”

“Promise.”

“Ughhhhhh… Fine, but know that I’m not doing this because you said so.”

“Yeah yeah, goodnight. I’ll finish up this batch and get a bit of marketing done.”

“Thank you… And make sure not to fall asleep half way through your shift like last time.”

“Oh relax, not like we get much business anyway. A little shut eye never hurt anyone.”

“We missed out on several potential customers because you were too busy snoring.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be going up to bed ‘Miss Responsibility’?”

“Right… Again, thank you for this Para.”

“It’s the least I can do.”