Kendal walked into Fusion to find half the room taken over with layout boards and an army of people she didn't recognise. Erica was standing in the middle directing the whole thing like an orchestra conductor.

Kendal picked up the nearest board from its easel, it was a poster of a perfume bottle emerging from a flower and above it was the legend, 'Erica Kane's Origana, by Fusion – Release your natural beauty.'

"Mom?" said Kendal, "What is this?"

"You told me to take on the Country Collection, and so I have."

Kendal stared at the room full of people.

"How much did this all cost?"

"Sweetheart, you have to speculate to accumulate. I will make it back tenfold. I guarantee it."

"How much?" Kendal demanded standing her ground.

Realising people were starring, Erica took Kendal's arm and led her back out into the lobby.

"Why are you making a scene?" Erica asked.

"Because we are almost broke! The Country Collection was intended to be a cheap, safe bet that kept money coming in; the big launch was supposed to be focused on the Midnight Shadow range. How much money have to spent on this?"

"A couple of hundred thousand."

"A couple of hundred!" cried Kendal exasperated, "That's half the advertising budget for the whole year! What were you thinking… no don't tell me I already know."

"Kendal, these things cost money. You have to be eye catching, make a big splash."

"But there are other ways to do that with throwing money at it!"

"Nonsense, the best photographers; the best designers; the best advertising space, it all expensive!"

"I have budgeted for the Midnight Shadow launch at forty thousand dollars. Forty thousand and that is all I need. Fusion has its own designers and it's own art department…"

"That is a ridiculous amount." snorted Erica, "If you do things on the cheap it always looks cheap. Your dime store make-up will be lost amongst all the other bargain bin cosmetics that line the shelves unless you market it properly."

"I am not doing it on the cheap; I am doing it on a budget! Do you know what your predicted profit is for you Organa range?"

"Origana," corrected Erica, "The extra 'i' makes it sexier. Malcolm tells me to expect around two hundred and fifty thousand."

"Is that on top of your costs." said Kendal," Because that is also the prediction for the Midnight Shadow range."

Erica scowled at her daughter.

"In fact." said Kendal sharply, "I bet I will make more money spending less on this launch than you do with all your expensive gloss."

"Why are you turning this into an argument? I am here helping you, helping your company!"

"And why do you think throwing money at something automatically makes it better!"

"Fine." said Erica, she had finally had enough. "If you want to make it a battle we shall make it a battle. I accept your bet. I will prove to you that I am right!"

…