The Fine Print

4

Rowan

Dreamland might be in the business of selling fairy tales, but it brings me nothing but nightmares and bitter flashbacks. The energy surrounding this place chokes me as much as the Florida humidity. Despite the raging summer sun, a chill runs down my spine as I stare up at Princess Cara’s Castle. The architectural monstrosity that put my grandfather’s park on the map nearly five decades ago reminds me of a past life I’ve long since forgotten. 

Get over it, you worthless piece of shit. Focus on what matters. 

I’m not sure why my grandfather tasked me with fixing a theme park that has run seamlessly for forty-eight years. Tickets are always sold out, and we meet maximum capacity every single day. With the park outperforming each quarter, I question how I can make improvements. 

To put it simply, this place is perfect. Almost too perfect. I’ve dealt with more issues in one day as the chairman of our streaming service subsidiary than this park manages in a whole year. But with my twenty-five-billion-dollar shares on the line, I’ll turn over every single rock in this entire place if it means exposing weaknesses and building upon Dreamland’s strengths. There is no other option. My brothers are counting on me to do my part in securing our future, and I don’t plan on letting them down. 

I abandon my spot on the wooden drawbridge. My breathing becomes easier as I add some distance between the castle and myself.

Think of how much better life will be once you get the hell out of this town.

That’s the thought that keeps me sane in a world built on nothing but haunted memories and broken dreams.  

My patience is thi

On paper, Dreamland is hitting new goals with every financial quarter. The demand for more is the only common theme I’ve heard from employees. More rides. More lands. More hotels. More space. 

There’s only one team that can help me with this kind of grand-scale expansion. Dreamland’s Creators are world-renowned in the theme park business. If there’s an attraction, venue, souvenir, or consumer experience at Dreamland, the Creators helped design it. So they’re the people I plan on working side by side with for the next six months. My micromanaging approach will be a significant change from the laid-back attitude they’re used to from the previous Director, but quite frankly, I don’t care. It helped me turn a start-up streaming company into a billion-dollar empire, and it’ll help me here.  

I enter my office and shut the door behind me. The two head Creators jump in their seats before regaining their composure. Sam, the male who has the common sense to mix a plaid shirt and a polka dot tie, can barely look me in the eyes. The top of his brown curly hair is the only image I get as he scribbles in his notebook. Je

I take a seat. “Let’s get started.” 

They nod in unison. 

“I am expected to come up with a new plan for the park that identifies our weaknesses. Together we will evaluate the performance of Dreamland’s attractions and determine how we can better serve our guests. That includes renovating current rides, creating new lands, updating skits and float parades that will increase Dreamland’s ROI by five percent, at the very least.” 

Sam’s eyes somehow double in size while Je

“Based on my preliminary analysis, our competitors have been growing fiercer over the years. And although Dreamland performs above average each quarter, I’m looking to obliterate our competition and steal their profit margins.” 

Sam’s throat bobs while Je

“Projects like these take years to go from blueprints to live-action rides. That being said, I’m expecting your two teams to develop the initial plans that I will then present in front of a board in six months.” 

It was Declan’s idea to keep my real reason for being here a secret. He thinks that if I revealed my less-than-altruistic intentions for a project of this magnitude, people might sabotage me for the right price. So no one will be the wiser about my temporary position here for the next six months. In their eyes, I will be the Director they always dreamed of. In reality, I can’t wait to crawl out of this hellhole and go back to Chicago to replace Declan as the CFO.  

“Six months?” Je

“I assume that won’t be a problem.” 

She shakes her head, but the hand clutching onto her pen trembles. 

“I’m looking to package this whole idea as a fiftieth-a

Sam and Je

“So whatever needs to be done, do it. Time is not our friend.” 

“What is our budget?” Sam’s eyes shine. 

“Keep it reasonable—so around ten billion for the entire park. If you need more, my accountants will review the numbers.”

Sam nearly chokes on his tongue.  

“I expect results. If not, then you’re better off applying for the traveling carnival.” 

Je

“Sir, may I speak freely?” Je

I check my watch. “If you find it absolutely necessary.” 

“Based on your rapid timeline, I was wondering if we could open up the a

I blink at her. A

But what if someone submits something the current Creators haven’t considered? 

I work through the pros and cons before determining that I don’t have much to lose. “Open up the applications for two weeks only. I want you to personally review the submissions and deliver only the best ones to my desk.” 

Je

Doubtful but I don’t bother wasting any words correcting her. “Get to work.” 

Je

“Son.” 

I instantly regret answering my father’s unusual personal call. Stupid curiosity got the better of me because he’s been too quiet about the whole Dreamland business. Something about his silence makes me wonder what he’s pla