“Or until the cup breaks.”
She wobbled her hand in a maybe yes-maybe no gesture. “The film makes the cup strong. That’s actually why he invented it. It’s like an unbreakable super film protecting whatever you put it on. The writing part showing up when heat is applied is just a bonus.”
“So, basically you are putting alien technology onto a souvenir mug and selling it to the unsuspecting public? Sounds dangerous.”
“No, it’s marketing genius.”
His eyes narrowed. “What drawing are you putting on the film?”
She grinned, and he was afraid. “What do you think about a buck-naked Maxwell the Martian with his hind end sticking out and a bubble over his head that says, ‘Well, crack my crater, this drink is as hot as a naked alien!’ as soon as the coffee, tea or heated water is put in the cup?”
Axel’s eyes widened. “I think Diesel will kill you. Slowly and without regret.”
“Okay. Maybe you’re right. I’ll just stick with the original plan of boring green and gray aliens popping up everywhere behind the building and letters of the logo sign on the cup as soon as the heated beverage is poured inside. Then when the cup gets cool, the aliens disappear again. It’s not as fun as the first idea, but not as life-threatening either.”
“Better, but Diesel still might not like it because of the alien technology.”
She shrugged, her expression as defiant as always. “Maybe I don’t care what he thinks this time.”
“Do youevercare what he thinks?”
She tapped her chin as she pretended to give Axel’s question some thought. “Good point. Not really. But this time I’m not inviting his wrath up front. I’ll wait until we’ve sold out.”
“How many are you selling?”
“Five-hundred.”
“That’s a lot of cups.”
“Well, we’re also are putting a number on each one. It’s a limited-edition series so we can make more money.” Aunt Dixie was obviously very proud of her scheme.
“Who is doing the art?”
“Who else? Wheeler. He’s the only artist I know.”
Wheeler was Cam’s twin and the only artist Axel knew, too.
“Has he already done the drawing for you?”
“Yep. He must have kept his mouth shut about it, too, if you don’t know about it.” She was a wily one, he’d give her that. Wheeler must be taking the same approach as Axel.What Diesel doesn’t know about Aunt Dixie’s crazy ideas won’t hurt me.
They planned to add a special certificate with the packaging to showcase not only the limited-edition guarantee, but also the artist, Wheeler. He’d designed the original Big Bang Truck Stop logo on the cup they were using as a backdrop for the appearing and disappearing aliens. The limited-edition nature of the cup would hopefully add extra value. After five-hundred were sold, that was it. In other words, five-hundred opportunities for their Fearless Leader to blow a gasket.
“We’re going to have an online silent auction with a built-in minimum bid that covers all our expenses plus a little profit. Everyone can bid on what number they want until the close of the auction.”
“When is the close of the auction?”
“When all the cups have at least one bid.”
Axel was impressed. He wondered if Aunt Dixie had thought it up on her own or if her new boyfriend Ed had helped out with the project. His aunt typically thought up rather naughty ideas for moneymaking projects to benefit the old folks’ home. This was the first plan Axel thought might be viable. Either way, it was a good thing, as near as he could figure. He’d let Diesel find out about the project on his own.
“Promise me that there will be no naked aliens on the cups.”
Aunt Dixie narrowed her eyes. “Or what?”
“Or I go straight from here to Diesel’s office and rat you out.”
“Fine, you big spoilsport.” She crossed her arms like she was put out, but seemed rather pleased. “I won’t put any naked aliens on the limited-edition cups we sell.” She was likely joyful to be getting something over on Diesel for once, setting up a whole operation without their Fearless Leader’s knowledge.
