I finally got my computer back. There was a lot of drama about the cost, extra stuff added to the computer, and other crap. It was a nightmare. I couldn't get on as often because my brother got tired of me hogging his laptop for way longer than I said I would until I got my computer back.
Since I was away from my computer for a long time, I wrote outlines for Norway, Russia, China, and Greece's chapters. I won't take that long updating because summer vacation is here. :)
DeviousDragons was the first person to guess the Harry Potter reference and requested Norway. Here it is and I hope everyone enjoys it.
1. If you're raising money to help a fellow country, don't let them know until the end.
2. Schemes can be legal or not. (Try not to get arrested or worse.)
3. The schemes can range from a country's specialty to ideas from the news.
4. Countries can team up and work together.
5. Countries (or their pets) are allowed to crash other countries schemes, making them succeed or not. Everything is fair game when it comes to money.
The golden rule: If possible, don't spend money to make money.
The 7-Eleven continence store and gas station is gloomy and dark from the night sky. It's nearly empty except for the few Norwegians narrowing their eyes as they pump expensive gasoline into their cars.
Norway stands behind the cash register as he watches his elderly manager fumbling with his keys. The manager finds the silver key he is looking for. He nods in satisfaction. "Found my car keys."
The elderly manager allows a small smile to cross his face before it disappears. "I appreciate you taking the late night shift. All my employees refuse to work at night." The manager was so desperate for someone to work the night shift that Norway was hired on the spot. Norway was told he was the only person who applied for this time slot.
Norway can understand why no one wants to work the late shift. Lately, this specific 7-Eleven has been targeted by thieves and other shady characters. The reason is because of the lack of security in the nighttime.
Norway glances out of the corner of his eye at a security camera on the ceiling. A large yellow sign next to it says "You're on camera." All the locals know that these so-called security cameras are fake. It's merely plastic toys meant to make potential thieves think twice about robbing the place. It's not very effective.
Also, a lack of security guards and so few employees for the night shift. (He recalls the manager grumbling something about an incompetent security guard who refuses to work at the night.) In fact, Norway is the only employee taking this shift. He's going to be alone with the customers.
Norway stays silent as the manager continues. "I'll be back in the morning to check if you're still here." Translation: if he doesn't chicken out and survives the night alone. The manager says goodbye and exits the store.
Norway is lost in his thoughts as he takes the pouch tied on a chain around his neck. He gingerly opens it to reveal broken shards of a golden watch. A week ago, a little girl was being bullied in a park. Wicked teenagers destroyed the girl's treasure with a sledge-hammer. They wacked the golden watch so badly that it's broken beyond repair. The girl ran away in tears, leaving what remained of the golden watch behind.
He clenches the pouch in his hands. He did some research and discovered that the watch was a family world war two heirloom which used to belong to the girl's grandfather who died in the war. Norway felt it was up to him to fix the golden watch. He can easily repair it with a potion. He just needs some money to buy the remaining ingredients. He used the money from Denmark and Iceland's generous donations from the kissing booth. The pay for the night shift will easily cover the cost for the ingredients.
Norway closes the pouch and hides it under his shirt. He takes up the task of organizing the candy bars next to the cash register. He stacks the candy bars into a neat pyramid. "There, it looks decent enough."
Norway had not told anyone about what he's doing. Not even the Nordics. He doesn't want to make a huge fuss. He knows they would go through a lot of drama scraping up the money. (Denmark would probably go track down the bullies and beat them into submission. That'll cause a lot of unnecessary trouble.) So, to cover up his sudden interest in money, he claims it's greed that's getting the best of him. He's not sure how long he can fool Sweden, though. He thinks the Swede is catching on about his lie by the looks he's giving him.
It doesn't matter. The situation is under control. He doesn't need any help. He can help his own citizen by himself. He just needs to finish his shift and he'll be out of here in no time. "Only idiots and unaware foreigners shop here at night." It's going to be an easy job tonight. He can handle any thieves that come his way. He's prepared, after all.
A blonde haired man with a cowlick sticking out of his hair walks in with confidence in his strides. The man is none other than America. The American slams his hand on the counter. "Give me three Norwegian lotto tickets. I thought I should try my luck while I'm here-"
America blinks and grins. "What are you doing at a place like this Norway?" Just what Norway needs: someone who asks too many questions and is annoying in general. He's a little nervous about America being here. If a thief barges in here with him around, then surely America will try to be a 'hero' and nab the 'villain.' He'll wreck the place and he'll be fired with no pay if a connection is made between him and America.
Norway's eyes skim over the patch on America's neck barely peaking from his bomber jacket. It's the perfect conversation topic changer. "What happened to your neck, America?"
America sheepishly laughs as he lowers his bomber jacket's collar to show a clear view of the white patch. "You mean this thing? Romania gave me a vampire hicky for struggling too much while he was feeding on me." America removes the patch. There are two medium-sized holes with yellow bruising around it.
America allows Norway to see it for a few moments before putting the patch back on. "I don't understand why my citizens fantasize about being bitten by a vampire. It's freaking painful, not romantic at all. Vampires are aggressive when they're hungry." America rubs his injured neck awkwardly.
Norway normally doesn't think it's necessary to wear patches on bruises, but this is the only exception. He would feel some embarrassment too if he had to walk around with two noticeable holes in his neck. Denmark wouldn't stop harassing him about it.
Norway places three lotto tickets on the counter. "Here are the lotto tickets you wanted. Can I ask why the sudden interest in the lottery?" Norway plans on getting America to talk until he walks out of the store. It'll keep him distracted from asking questions.
America grins. "I play whenever I have spare change. One time I got lucky and won five hundred bucks the other day." America's smile slips off his face. "But I lost it at the kissing booth. I've never gotten it back."
America scratches the patch on his neck. "You know what? I'll go buy some ice or something cold for the bruise." America heads to the back of the store on his quest for ice.
Norway lets out a sigh of relief when America is out of hearing range. He thought America would never leave. The store's beeping alerts him of a new customer. In walks Denmark with a bottle of beer in his hand as he drunkenly sways his way to the counter.
Denmark has a cheeky grin on his face. "Where's the beer around this place, Norge? I got the beer money right here." Denmark pulls out a large wad of cash from his pocket. He waves it around like it's the most important thing in the world.
Denmark seems unconcerned or too drunk to care why Norway is running the cash register. Norway calmly says, "It's in the back."
America comes back with a handful of ice cream. "I didn't find any ice packs so I thought-" He pauses when his eyes shifts from Norway to Denmark. The cheerful smile on America's face slips into an angry frown. "I want a refund. Now."
Denmark waves his hands and stumbles back. Denmark appears to get a little sober. "Is this about the kissing booth? I'm sorry, we don't do refunds."
America lunges for Denmark. "Give me my lotto money back, you thieves!" Denmark gets out of the way and heads for the aisles. America chases after him. Norway ignores their commotion. He mutters under his breath, "They're so childish over money."
Norway hears a beep and the door opening to reveal Mr. Puffin flying into the store.
Mr. Puffin circles around the shelves until he spots something. He lands and picks up a bag of licorice with his feet. He squawks, "I'm eating for free tonight, losers!" He didn't expect to have an animal rob him on his shift. Norway's friends haven't arrived yet, so he has to take matters into his own hands.
Norway grabs the broom lying on the floor. He keeps a firm grip on it and leaps over the counter. He swings the broom in the air. "Drop it or you'll regret it." That bird is probably working with Iceland in getting free food. Finland's lectures didn't convince Norway to give back the money he stole from Iceland. The Icelandic might or might not be low on spending money for his favorite snacks.
Mr. Puffin flies higher into the air to get out of Norway's range. He puffs up his chest with pride. "You have to catch me first." Norway chases Mr. Puffin around the store, beating the air with the broom. He dodges America and Denmark whenever they cross paths.
Norway forces Mr. Puffin into the back corner of the store where the freezers are at. Mr. Puffin sweats as Norway pokes his chest with the broom. "I have you now. Surrender the licorice."
He hears Denmark yelling, "Oh shit!" and America screaming, "Duck and cover." He glances to see them ducking in separate aisles. He's confused for a bit.
"What are those idiots doing?"
His question is quickly answered by a car slamming through the wall ferociously. Norway flings himself on the ground. He sees debris flying everywhere and destroyed merchandise. The aisles closest to the entrance are completely annihilated. A white-haired man coughs as he peaks his head out of the driver's window. "Dammit it, the accelerator nearly killed me."
Denmark's head pops out of the debris of chips. "I'm here Prussia. Let's get some beer somewhere else." Denmark wobbles his way to the passenger side. He makes it inside when America bursts out of some debris in the separate aisle.
America jabs a finger in Prussia's direction. "I want my refund Prussia!"
Denmark slams the passenger side door and yells, "Move your ass Prussia."
Prussia backs the car back and drives off with America chasing after them. Mr. Puffin flies out through the ruined entrance. "You can't catch me!"
Norway stands up and sighs at the mess. He's going to tell the manager some idiot, who he didn't get a good look at, did this. And no, he didn't get a good look at the license plate either. He was too much in shock to do anything.
A man with a clear plastic bag on his head and a tiny knife in his hand storms into the 7-Eleven. "Freeze. Give me the money and no one will get hurt." Norway can't take this thief seriously. Who in their right mind would rob a store with that tiny knife? He has the worst disguise, too. A face mask of an infamous politician would work better.
Norway sees his troll friend (finally) coming into the store. The troll drags his club as he gets behind the wannabe thief. The troll lifts the club and holds it to the back of the man's head. He uses his other hand to rip the knife from his hand. The man stiffens.
Norway holds out his hand and dully says, "Hand over all the money you have or my friend here will use you for target practice." Since there are no security guards during his shift, he's using his troll friend as one. Trolls make great security guards.
The pathetic thief stutters, "Y-You're an employee, you c-can't rob me. That's m-my job." The troll jabs the man's head with the club a few times.
Norway smirks. "I can defy the rules of the robber and victim." He might not have gotten money from the idiots and Mr. Puffin, but he got plenty of it from this thief.
Norway drops off a box outside a bedroom window. He peers in and sees a little girl sitting glumly at her desk. Norway knocks on the window. He ducks and runs away from the scene.
The little girl opens the window and sees a box. She opens it to see her golden watch as good as new. She opens it to see the ticking clock on the right. On the left, is a black and white picture of her grandfather as a young soldier posing with a few other men.
She looks into the distance to see a man in a Santa suit running off into the distance. She furrows her brows in confusion. "It's not even Christmas time yet."
She smiles and holds the watch to her heart. "Thank you anyway, Santa."
Somewhere in the Nordic house...
Finland stares at his empty closet. He looks to Sweden. "Do you know where my Santa suit is, Sweden?"
Sweden shakes his head no.
Frugal money scheme: Success.
Rule revision: If you're raising money to help a fellow country (or a human), don't let them know until the end. However, it's an option to not let them know about your identity when you do a good deed.
Norway has the most expensive gasoline.
In Norway, there are 7-Eleven convince stores.
There was a scandal about Honda car accelerators starting unintentionally and creating accidents. The certain model of Honda cars associated with this problem was recalled.
Yes, I couldn't resist putting Norway into a Santa suit. I think he'll look good in one. :)