“I see,” Dr. Facilier said, as he continued to study the forms. “And if I do this for you, what’s my cut?”
Mal blinked. “Your cut?”
“Excuse me?” asked Evie, as Carlos hesitated to remove more application forms from his backpack.
“Your cut,” said Jay, deadpan. “Your bribe, you mean.”
The headmaster of Dragon Hall leaned back on his chair, put his feet up on his desk, and took a moment to admire his shiny shoes. “Exactly. What do I get in return for sending students to your program?”
“The joy of knowing they’re learning and well cared for!” Evie said indignantly.
“Dr. Facilier, that’s not really how it works,” said Mal sharply. “We don’t do kickbacks or deliver bribes. Especially not in Auradon.”
Dr. Facilier chuckled, sending shivers up their spines. “Let me remind you, you’re back on the Isle of the Lost now.”
“What do you want?” Jay asked bluntly.
“Yeah, spill it,” said Carlos.
Evie looked at the boys, alarmed, but Mal nodded. “I suppose it’s the price of doing business,” she said. Mal gave Evie a look that said, Just trust me.
“I’m glad we’re in agreement,” said Dr. Facilier with a smug smile. “I don’t ask for much. You know my younger daughter Celia, don’t you?”
Mal narrowed her eyes. “I don’t think we’ve met, no.”
“She feels very left out when she hears all the stories that her sister Freddie has been telling her about Auradon. Very left out indeed,” said Dr. Facilier meaningfully.
Mal and Evie exchanged a glance. “We’re not on the admissions committee,” said Evie.
“But I’m sure you could put in a good word,” said Dr. Facilier.
Mal raised an eyebrow. “We’ll take that under advisement,” she said. “That is, if you honor your end of the bargain.”
“You see that you do,” said Dr. Facilier. “So, for tomorrow, you will be speaking with students at some kind of roundtable discussion?”
“Yes,” said Mal. “We’re going to tell them all about Auradon Prep! I believe we’ve been given the study hall for our presentation.”
Dr. Facilier sighed. “Fine, I don’t see how I can stop you, since I’ve been ordered by Fairy Godmother to let you in.”
Mal nodded. The four of them began to stand up to say their good-byes.
“Also,” said Evie, “we’re going to be sending over posters—marketing materials, to encourage the kids to apply. It would be great if we could put up some here at Dragon Hall as well.”
Dr. Facilier shrugged. “I suppose we could agree to that,” he said.
“Great,” said Mal.
“Just remember her name: Celia.”
“Of course,” said Mal. “We’ll do our best.”
The four of them shook Dr. Facilier’s hand. Evie knew they weren’t in the business of taking bribes; if Celia deserved to get in to Auradon Prep, she would. But it would be on her own merit, not because the VKs swayed the committee. They left the application forms at the headmaster’s office and reminded him of the deadline.
“A pleasure doing business with you,” said Dr. Facilier, ushering them out of his office. “Oh, and here’s Celia now. Celia, come meet these fine folk.”
Celia jumped back. It was obvious to Evie that she had been eavesdropping at the door. “Oh! Hi, Dad,” she said. She wore a red dress and a little top hat that matched her father’s, and she was holding a deck of cards.
“Celia, this is Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay. They used to be my top students here, but unfortunately they go to Auradon Prep now.”