Welcome to News 24/7’s Movers And Shakers – the interactive news and gossip show for webizens focused on what’s going on behind the news in Night City. I’m your host, Robyn Curia.

“First up, our correspondent Veracity Blaize talks live to the infamous Friedlander Bey, owner of the luxury Ottoman Casino Hotel about one of the highlights of the city’s 2050 social calendar, the Grey Auction. Veracity?”

“Thank you, Robyn. Yes, I’m here in the penthouse home of Friedlander Bey, entrepreneur and public benefactor, perched atop the palatial Ottoman Hotel in the colorful Vimes Hill area, a favorite with tourists and locals alike. Mr. Bey, thank you for agreeing to this interview at what must be a very busy time.”

“Salaam al-alaikum, Miss Blaize. It is indeed a busy time for me, but what is life without a few moments rest in the company of beauty?”

“Umm, thank you. But why don’t you tell our viewers and experiencers what the Grey Auction is all about?

“Well Miss Blaize, as I’m sure you know the Auction arises from a peculiarity of Night City’s criminal code, one which has persisted since the foundation of the original city, which defines stolen property uniquely as ‘any property, material or intellectual property which is stolen from its rightful owners within the city limits’. That is, if it is stolen outside the city, then it is not illegal to possess an item within the city limits. Some years ago i realized that this afforded an opportunity for a very special event – a clearing house of grey market property of the highest quality and provenance sold at auction to the highest bidder. The Ottoman has been the venue for such an auction four times now, and it has always attracted the very highest caliber of bidders to our fair city.”

“Isn’t that, well, immoral, Mr. Bey?”

“Far from it, Miss Blaize. I see it as an opportunity to redistribute objects or art and items of worthy knowledge which otherwise might molder unseen and unappreciated in some dusty vault somewhere. What good is a Picasso if only one person ever sees it, for example? I’d also point out that the selfish original custodians of these auction items were almost certainly insured., so who truly suffers? Moreover, as I’ve already said, the criminal code in Night City is such that the auction is clearly legal.”

“But haven’t you and certain other interested parties spent large amounts of money making sure that exact wording in the statute stays on the books? I’ve spoken to…”

“…No-one who will stand up and put their name publicly to such an untruth, I am certain, Ms Blaize. And I would caution you and your station about spreading such libelous accusations without ironclad evidence – which does not exist, of course.”

“Perhaps we should move on. Tell us about the event itself, please. It’s always been a gala event, attended by the rich and famous, hasn’t it?”

“Oh yes indeed! This year’s event should be the biggest ever. We have both Lady Yan and Kawaii Kali! lined up as headline entertainment, along with a world-class bill of shows in the main theaters. We’ve already heard from many wealthy and famous figures who will be attending the auction, and can confirm that the auctioneer will be Augustin Hashaway of Hashaway Fine Art in Mornington. We also already have the finest of security systems in place to keep our illustrious guests safe, and are brining in additional personnel to augment our existing compliment. Insh’allah, it’s going to be the finest showcase that Night City can offer the world, as I‘m sure you and your colleagues in the media who will be attending will happily report.”

“It sounds wonderful, Mr. Bey, and I for one am looking forward to giving News 24/7 customers twice daily updates on all the goings on. Thank you for your time.”

“And you for yours, Veracity.”

“Now, back to Robyn in the studio.”

“Thank you Veracity Blaize at the Ottoman Hotel, where they’re gearing up for the Grey Auction, the biggest single event in the Night City Glitterati social calendar. We’re going to take a break but when we come back, on “Movers and Shakers”: did a major corporation try to unleash the Gen-Nu Plague in Night City and who is the mysterious Lipstick Lothario who has been stalking and then attacking attractive young women in the city?

You’re watching News 24/7, your eye on Night City.”