A Million for Eleanor: A Contemporary Story on Love and Money by Danil Rudoy

student inherently expects his teacher to be an authority figure. The American one expects nothing but entertainment from her.”
    “For some reason I just thought of Pink Floyd,” Eleanor said almost apologetically.
    “And I was reminded of Britney Spears.”
    “That’s it!” He said suddenly. “I couldn’t remember her name!”
    “Another guest for the New Year’s party?” Mrs. Charlester said with discontent. “At least the rabbit-costume will suit her better. The previous one was too skinny for it.”
    “You know that’s exactly why I chose it! What’s the point of ordering entertainment if it’s not funny?”
    “Do you invite pop-stars to your parties?” Eleanor said in amazement.
    “Sometimes.”
    “Why?”
    “So that the people who know me had another reason to hate me.” He laughed again. “I also find it amusing to watch those stars step down to earth. I never realized how much of their charisma was owed to the camera until I started seeing them face to face.”
    “Ella, you can’t really regret having moved to the States, can you?” Eleanor exclaimed. “Where else would your son become a multi-millionaire at such a young age?”
    “She has a point,” he said to his mother. “But money has never been important to my family. I am the only exception. And the more I think about it, the more it seems I became one because of you.”
    “Why?”
    “Before I met you I had always thought it was enough to be outstanding to win the heart of the woman you love. You made me realize one also had to be rich.”
    “Don’t you think money corrupted you just as anyone else? It’s so vulgar, to order Britney Spears to a party and dress her as a rabbit.”
    “Not if you make her read Shakespeare all night long. You should have seen the guests. I invited every executive of the company and told them about the costume beforehand. Imagine their shock when she started to read about swearing by the moon that monthly changes in her circled orb . It wasn’t Spears, though…”
    “How come she agreed? I bet she can’t even read.”
    “You’d be surprised. But why wouldn’t she? I pay cash.”
    “By the way,” Mrs. Charlester said, as if remembering something important. “Richard: what’s worth more, a pound of gold, or a pound of one hundred dollar bills?”
    “The latter,” he replied without pausing to think. “At the current price it takes about sixty five pounds of gold to make a million, and only thirty five pounds of cash. Now you know what you’re in for.” He winked at Eleanor. “If you want real money for the weight, go for californium: over six million per gram. Not a smart investment, though, if you are prone to misplacing things.”
    “Now I know your love for numbers is also inherited.” Eleanor smiled at both him and Mrs. Charlester.
    “Is this californium then the most expensive matter that exists?” Elisa asked.
    “Among the things we know – most likely.”
    “What about the dark matter?” Elisa insisted. “Do you think it would be more valuable still?”
    “I don’t know,” he confessed. “I don’t even know whether or not the Earth would be destroyed if a single gram of it were delivered here.”
    “But you sure wouldn’t be afraid to try, hoping for the best!” Eleanor exclaimed. “That is: that everything would instantaneously go to hell.”
    “You’re exaggerating. I think the Earth is gorgeous, it’s just the people that spoil the sport.”
    “Ella, tell me: has he always been such a misanthrope?” Eleanor asked imploringly.
    “I don’t think so.” Mrs. Charlester shook her head. “College changed him a lot. Before that, he was a happy boy who loved science fiction and dreamt to exceed the speed of light.”
    “I still dream about it. I haven’t been to Betelgeuse yet.”
    “Do you think it’d be worth it?” Eleanor said.
    “Yes, simply because there wouldn’t be a single living soul within the nearest six hundred and fifty light