“She got fired?” he asked.
“Nope. Just sick. She called last night and asked if I could fill in for her.” Actually, I’d taken Gianna’s number off the employee list and called her to tell her that the show was cancelled today. But Hakeem didn’t need to know that.
“Ah, okay. You know what you’re doing?”
“Boy, I was born for this.” I pushed passed him and walked through the hall towards the stage.
“You good?” asked Ghostie into my earbud.
“Of course,” I whispered back. “Told you my disguise would work.”
Ghostie grunted. “Everyone ready?”
“Yes, yes,” said Slavanka.
“Teddybear in position, over.”
“Us too,” said Esme and Zoraida.
“Good,” said Ghostie. “Simon and I will be your eyes in the sky today. Let’s get the guards’ IDs and get back to the mainland. Commence phase 1.”
I grabbed a microphone and waited for my cue.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” said a booming voice through the loudspeaker. “Please put your hands together for today’s host, Miss Gianna Rodriguez.”
I walked through an archway out on stage and waved to the crowd. The beach was packed. So packed that I couldn’t find any of my friends.
“Slavanka is near the third statue on the left,” said Ghostie in my ear. “The other three are all right in the center.”
I located them and nodded.
“What’s up, Miami?!” I yelled into the microphone. “Who’s ready for the goddess contest?!”
“Yeah!” everyone cheered.
“Then let’s do it.” I walked to the side of the stage where four beachballs were sitting on half columns. I grabbed one and held it over my head. “Ladies. If you think you’re a goddess and want a shot at taking home the grand prize, then make sure you have your hands on this ball when the music stops.” I tossed the ball towards the center and rap music started blaring through the speakers.
It bounced around for a bit, but the second Esme got her hands on it, Ghostie cut the music.
“Ah!” she screamed. “Does that mean I get to play?!”
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have our first contestant.”
Esme pushed through the crowd and made her way up onto the stage.
“Welcome to the goddess contest,” I said. “What’s your name?” I held the microphone out for her.
“Esme.”
“And what do you do for a living?”
“Private flight attendant.”
“Wow, fancy. Well boys…what do you think of Esme the flight attendant?”
There were tons of cheers, which made sense. Daddy only hired the hottest flight attendants.
“Alright, ladies. If you think you have what it takes to beat Esme, then get your hands on this next beach ball.” I tossed the second ball towards Slavanka.