“My bank accounts disagree with you,” Jewel said. “I want you to make livestreams for Golden Rule while you’re here. Everything you do and see and experience, talk about it. As often as you can, but not more than once per hour.” She held out a clear plastic case with a microSD card inside. “Insert it into your tablet and run the program. It’ll give you access to the app and Wi-Fi.”

“Why?” Stella asked.

“Because you’re my only option,” Jewel said. “I can’t use Luna because she makes silent videos. If she suddenly starts talking on camera, Goldspiracy will have a field day in an empty parking lot. I can’t use Nicole because it will interfere with her brand. She wouldn’t have enough time to create a full production. That leaves you. Your following only exists because I chose you. I’ve seen that video you made. You don’t have a style or the content to sustain it. No one knows you. Make the videos. Tell them everything.”

“Rude. I have style.” Stella’s shtick had a 97 percent success rate in person, but something about video flattened her personality. Cameras transmitted her energy and reflected back everything she didn’t want to see. It wasn’t possible to hide from herself in stunning HD—a descendant of Dorian Gray, evolved but just as immoral and profane. “I just haven’t figured it out yet.”

Harlow moved, shifting closer to Stella.

“This should also please your parents, no?” Jewel asked. “A documentation of your time here that you’d be free to reference later.”

Stella clicked her tongue to focus herself. Jewel had explained why Stella was her videographer of choice but not why the videos needed to exist. She could ask, should really, but … “You said it was a job. What do I get paid?”

“Whatever you want. If it’s within my power, I will make it happen.”

“And if you can’t?”

Jewel sighed. “Name your price.”

Stella whistled, low, long, and exaggerated. “Being rich must truly be amazing.”

“You would know.” Jewel seemed genuinely confused. No doubt the background check had revealed some Forbes-related truths about Stella’s parents.

“You’re confusing my paltry allowance with my parents’ financial portfolio,” Stella said. “Everything I want to do? Anywhere I want to go? If they don’t approve, they don’t pay. Really, it’s a miracle I’m so well adjusted considering the fascist state of their parenting regime.”

Jewel laughed. “You’re quick. That’s good.”

“It’s a gift.”

“So, will you do it? The livestreams must be at least two minutes long with a maximum time limit of seven minutes.” Jewel gestured with the plastic case still between them, waiting like a hand to be shaken. “What do you want for your time?”