14773/Selling Out, Trading Up!

Selling Out, Trading Up!
Date of Scene:	25 April 2023
Location:	Shaw Studios - Beach Retreat
Synopsis:	Ths could be the start of something BIG!
Cast of Characters:	Billy Batson, Michael Hannigan

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Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson has a driver's license. As it happens with so many kids, Victor and Rosa decided another driver was very desirable. Billy was designated when he came of age. He'd been driving since he was fourteen, let us not dwell on that. In any case, the license came in handy now. His streaming show was off the air. He was trying to make rent and his latest hustle was delivering pizzas. In fact he was darned good at it. Plus all the pizza he could eat. This turned out to be much more than the proprietor expected.

He'd read the delivery order and the name Shaw sparked a memory. Not worth tuning into Shazam to probe further. The recollection hit him when he saw the Shaw Studios sign. Oh yeah his brief internship. Nice guys. Moving into the entrance hall he calls out, "Pizza delivery. Mr. Hannigan? Mr. Shaw? Helloooooo?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
One man dressed in a uniform looks over to Billy and then to the clipboard on hand. "Main Room." He instructs, gesturing towards a nearby doorway.

As Billy ventures further into the beach retreat recording studio, there's a bustle of activity in the main building. Apparently all the rooms in the guest building are claimed for the evening and the folding tables in the adjacent main gathering room hint to where the delivery will end up as well as to the reason for why so many pizzas in the order.

But there's the matter of the exchange first.

Near the folding tables and a TV currently playing some type of seafaring show, a familiar blond man sits. In seats near him are two dark haired suited men, seemingly enthralled by the show.

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson goes ver to the blond man and says, "Hey Mr. Shaw, it's me, Billy Batson. You ordered some pizzas? How are ya?" He's suddenly very self conscious of the stupid latex pizza slice on a spring bobbling on the top of his cap, above the Pizza the Action label."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Catching a glimpse of movement approaching, Wade looks up to find a familiar face. The name is failing him at the moment but he's sure it'll come to him in due time. Either way the items he's carrying are enough of an indication to why he's here.

Wade shifts forward, retrieving his wallet while the other men nearby seem to be having a conversation regarding another familiar looking person appearing on the TV screen.

The wallet is in the process of opening when he is greeted.

Well, sort of. Wade tilts his head to look to the slip, "Hey Billy- Did they charge the card?"

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson looks at the receipt. "Uh yeah $102,84 with tax." Hardly an earth shaking reunion. "Is Mr. Hannigan around? I'd like to say hello to him. If he's not too busy?" He notes the tv screen. Yes the lead looks familiar. Billy sets four pizzas down. Ah hands are free. He's nonchalant about it.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
With the confirmation, Wade pulls out several bills, handing it over to Billy. "Just put them on the table, we'll get them sorted when everyone's done." To the mention of Mike, Wade nods. "Yes, he's in one of the studios doing some sound work but he should be up in a few if you want to stick around." The two men look over to Billy and then over to Wade. The tallest tilting his head.

"It's alright, Billy here used to work study with the studio."

Seemingly accepting of the answer, Billy's no longer perused.

Wade shifts to his feet, seemingly to help Billy with the requested task. "Speaking of which, how are things with you, Billy? It's been awhile."

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson shrugs. "I take the good with the bad Mr. Shaw. I'm graduating, got my own place, a wonderful girl. I had a streaming show but the company pulled the plug on it, when I tried to interview a known Mutant. I'm bringing it back as a vlog or private show as soon as I get the rent up for the next month, you know?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Wade nods as he starts to move the dropped off pizzas around on the table to make them easily accessible, nodding as Billy lists off the things going on. The mention of the interview causes Wade to look back over to Billy. Brows raised. "Really now?...Was it because of what they were or what was said?"

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson pauses to remember what Shazam researched. "The contract I signed said I could receive a ban for 24, 48, r 72 hours for 'questionable content'. However, I could fight it but to little purpose. So I'm finding another platform and moving my show. It was actually doing pretty well. I had Julie Powers on and I was making a living from it. I just spent a little too much on the show and the new place. So I deliver pizzas."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"...Who the hell is Julie Powers?" Wade gives Billy a blank look. It appears someone has NOT been watching. "Ok, questionable content. That seems extremely arbitrary. Do they have a listing of what is considered questionable content? If they don't, that doesn't seem like it would be something enforcable."

"Tu bloques la tele."

Wade looks over to the shorter of the dark haired men, sharing his blank look to the man before the taller man gestures to the television behind Wade.

One and two...

Wade shifts over, sliding another box to that side of the table to prevent people from idling in front of the TV. He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Ok. So that alone, prior to the suspension you were able to make enough from streaming to afford your own place?" He pauses, "How many roommates?"

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson shakes his head. "Just me, it's a little studio over a garage. Still I was starting to make money and... you never heard of the Power Pack kids? She was Light Speed. Cut little redheaded girl who flew on a rainbow? She came out publicly as a super a few years ago. I mean she's grown up now. She's a friend of the family. Anyway the program was called The Magic Word. I have some stuff posted online." Abruptly he checks his watch... "Hply moly... listen, I would've loved to see Mr. Hannigan but I am working. PLease tell him I said 'hi' best f luck with the new movie. I'll see you."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Wade nods, "Yeah sure. I'll let him know."

There's a pause before he shifts position, reaching a hand into his pocket to pull out a small case. Popping it open he takes out a card, offering it over to Billy. "I'm curious to that streaming issue. In particular, which of the providers is pulling that or if that's even legal. If you get a chance, maybe shoot off a message with the details of the situation?"

Card taken or not, the studio owner walks with Billy to the door.