Richie waited for the journalist to get into the car and then climbed in himself. John took the front passenger seat.
"Absolutely," the boy replied to the journalist. "Unfortunately, this is how it has always been and will continue to be. In the past, wealthy people used expensive horses and custom-made carriages to demonstrate their status. Now, cars, yachts, and airplanes are in vogue. And in the future, wealthy people will buy expensive anti-gravity cars and flyers finished in exclusive natural materials, which will only be available for a huge amount of money."
The car started moving. The journalist took out her voice recorder, turned it on, and asked:
- Richard... can I call you that?
- No problem, miss. It will even be more convenient this way.
- I heard that you are in business. Is that true?
- Absolutely right. I started doing business last June, when I finished elementary school.
"But aren't you nine years old?" Fiona asked in amazement.
"Nine, Miss Bruce. Some people think I'm a child prodigy, but I really just have a good memory. I've already passed my second-grade exams as an external student."
"Amazing!" the journalist's eyes widened in amazement. "I didn't know you were not only the heir to the Duke of Westminster and the Rich Group, but also a child prodigy. What do you do, Richard?"
- Miss Bruce, you can just call me Richie.
- Okay, Richie, but then you call me Fiona too!
- No problem. Fiona, what exactly are you interested in? Work or everyday life?
- Both.
"Well..." Richie paused for a few seconds to collect himself. "My daily schedule is very busy. The morning starts with gymnastics. Then I have tutoring sessions according to the school curriculum. After lunch, fencing practice. After lunch, independent study of course materials. At the same time, I pay attention to economic reports and business issues."
- What can you say about your business, Richie?
After finishing my junior high school exams, I had some free time. That's when I decided to go into business. My father loaned me a small amount of start-up capital. At the same time, the idea of creating something new was born. That's how I brought Skrepyshki to life.
- Squeezies?!
Miss Bruce's exclamation of surprise was so loud that the driver and John shuddered. The journalist's face fell in amazement.
"Is this really such unexpected information?" Richard raised his eyebrows questioningly.
"Nobody knew about it," Miss Bruce replied. "I'm collecting my own clippies. They're pretty cool."
"Then, Fiona, you should visit Japan," Richard chuckled. "Two competing retail chains there ordered different collections of clippies from me, based on my own designs. They're completely different from the European and American ones."
- So your company supplies staplers not only to Britain, but has also expanded to the Japanese and American markets?
"Well spotted," Richard nodded in agreement.
- What about hobbies?
- I love magic tricks.
A large gold coin appeared in Richie's palm. He tossed it into the air, and it disappeared.
The journalist watched this action with genuine delight.
- Do you see the coin, miss?
"No," Fiona shook her head with a smile.
- And it exists!
With these words, Richie pulled the coin from behind the journalist's ear.
Miss Bruce applauded, a wide smile adorning her face.