Bribre: Frozen Wasteland, #2

By S.R. Marks

Accepting the Opportunity Will Destroy You.

 

Fay may have never left the security of academia, but she knows how destructive multi-level marketing businesses can be for women. When she gets a grant to research Bribre, a company selling clothes at home parties, she's determined to use this opportunity to help others understand how these companies prey on our insecurities. 

 

Fay thinks she's maintaining objectivity, but the longer she's involved, the more immersed she is in a world of secrets and betrayal. She's lured deeper into the organization where new discoveries raise more questions. Her fellow team members are the ones who suffer and disappear because of Fay's determination to reveal the malicious truth to the world.

 

What will Fay when she finally gets to the heart of this company? 

 

Bribre is the spine-chilling second book in the Frozen Wasteland series. If you like ominous settings, and destruction only women can do to each other, then you'll love S.R. Marks' menacing tale. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Illuminated Myth Publishing
• Release date: Mar 5, 2024
• ISBN: 9781950188260

Book preview

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictional manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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Illuminated Myth Publishing

https://www.illuminatedmyth.com/

Copyright © 2020 Sara Marks

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.

First Edition – July 2020

https://www.srmarks.net/

EBook ISBN-13: 978-1-950188-17-8

Paperback ISBN-13: 978-1-950188-26-0

To those who have accepted the opportunity only to lost money, lose friends, and lose self-esteem. I’m sorry.

Also By S.R. Marks

Frozen Wasteland Series

Kraulaak

Bribre

Harshug (serialized on Patreon or Ream)

The Enduring Series

Help Wanted: New Devil

Other Books

#RescueMe

Contents

1.Introduction

2.The Opportunity

3.Research Notes 1

4.Research Notes 2

5.Research Notes 3

6.Put On Your Big Girl Panties

7.Research Notes 4

8.Research Notes 5

9.Research Notes 6

10.Failure Is On You

11.Research Notes 7

12.Research Notes 8

13.FOMO

14.Research Notes 9

15.Research Notes 10

16.Research Notes 11

17.Dress for Success

18.Research Notes 12

19.Research Notes 13

20.GOOB

21.Research Notes 14

22.Research Notes 15

23.You’re On A Boat!

24.Research Notes 16

25.Research Notes 17

26.Earning Your Key

27.Harshug

28.Acknowledgements

29.About S.R. Marks

Introduction

When I first shared these stories with some of my readers. I got a lot of feedback asking where the horror was. I admit, the first few stories that establish the world of Multi-Level Marketing (MLMs) and Direct Sale companies, aren’t traditional horror. In fact, if I didn’t make the connection back to something we recognize as horror, you’d probably complain that there’s no horror in this book. For me, horror is often what we do to each other without a supernatural force driving things. Between my own experiences in these companies (as a consultant and customer) along with my research to write beyond that experience, I saw the way these companies, often run by men at the top level, let women manipulate other women… well, it’s horror. The way this is structured to make you think you failed to do your part, not that you were set up to fail from the beginning, is self-harm and horror.

I don’t come to this from a single or low impact within MLMs. I have joined two, supported my friends in various companies, and been lucky to come out with minimal debt. I use kitchen items from one company, have beloved unicorn leggings from another, tote bags from a third, and even bought journals from a fourth. These items are often high-quality products. How many of us coveted a pizza stone, remember make-up parties in someone’s’ kitchen, or saw safe flameless candles as a great idea? All of these are staples of the MLM industry. Even the sex-toy parties seem fun and have great products! The product isn’t usually the problem, the system behind them is the problem. I’ve been happy to support my friends with one purchase but resist the second purchase when the make-up is too much for something that didn’t wow me, or I see a similar tote bag for less than half the price.

I’ve shared some of my MLM experience on my Facebook page for readers. I’ve shared the resources I used to expand my knowledge, especially as the stories looked at aspects of these companies that I hadn’t participated in (not for lack of trying). For those who haven’t looked there, I was a member of Mary Kay and Thirty-One Gifts. One I joined in hopes of making money and the other I joined for the discount on bags I liked. I staying in both for longer than I should have. I even rejoined Thirty-One after getting out because they had a cute pattern, and I wanted the discount. To this day, I have friends working for these companies.

These companies are only predatory. These companies make you think you’re the problem when the only way to make money is to either make this company your life or find unethical ways to move up the pyramid. Don’t let their PR and marketing fool you - they are pyramids. Consultants are not CEOs of their own businesses. They are not part-time work for full-time money. What they do to make money is unethical and sometimes illegal. They will suck you dry, cut you off from your family, and feed that voice in your head that makes you think you suck. Remember that as you read these stories. The women who sell for these companies are victims and, sometimes, through these abuses, become the abusers.

What can you do to combat these companies? Educate yourself and the people around you. Don’t buy items from these companies on your own or when a friend has a party. Let friends who accept an opportunity know what they’re getting involved in. When someone you haven’t spoken to in years suddenly messages you on social media, tell them why you aren’t interested.

Sara

The Opportunity

Mary

Thank you all come out to my good friend Mary’s Bribre party tonight! Kathleen said, clapping her hands to applaud me.

All my friends turned to me and clapped with her, some looking uncomfortable and others looking ecstatic. I smiled, still not sure why I had agreed to host this party.

I love my job, Kathleen continued. Like, love it with a capital L. Bribre is an amazing company, and I love sharing it with the world. I’m pretty sure you’ll love them as much as I do by the time this party is over.

Kathleen was a tiny, stocky brunette woman who was a friend of my cousin. At least, I thought she’s Erin’s friend, but tonight I’m sure that’s incorrect. I had met Kathleen when Erin had hosted her own Bribre party a few weeks ago. I had come after Erin had begged me. I hadn’t intended to buy anything, but I walked away with over two hundred dollars worth of clothes. I liked it and wanted more, but I had maxed out my budget at the event. Kathleen convinced me to throw my own party so I could get some more items for free. I had forgotten how aggressive MLM consultants can be and said yes, thinking I wouldn’t hear from her again.

If you’re like me, you have a million things to do in a day. We’re all busy even if we’re single or married; have children or are child-free; work or stay at home. Women are constantly on the move, responsible for taking care of everyone, Kathleen paused and looked around at each of the five guests, nodding her head. I can’t go home and grab gym clothes for a thirty-minute trip to the gym. I can’t go get out of work clothes and into something better for date night or a fancy event for my husband’s job. There are too many wardrobe changes!

Kathleen threw up her hands in the most exaggerated gesture I had ever seen. I had seen her give the exact same speech, gestures and all, at Erin’s party. I wondered how much of this was scripted and how much she came up with on her own. There were so many contradictions now that I was hearing it for a second time.

When I found Bribre, I was a stay-at-home mom who relied on my husband for all my spending money. It felt like it was his money, not mine. I would get in the car in the morning, take the kids to school, run errands, go to meetings, pick them up, drive each of them to their own activity, and then get them home for dinner. I did it all in gym clothes because I never had time to go home and change. Not that I had time to go to the gym either! Does this sound familiar?

Again Kathleen made eye contact with each of my friends, each of them wide-eyed and nodding. All of us, except for Fay, who was single and childfree. I only invited her because she had put up on her social media profile that she was looking for a party to attend. I couldn’t say no to someone guaranteed to spend money.

Before we talk about the clothes, I want to get to know you. This will help me pick the right items for you. I have raffle tickets that can help you win some special accessories. While we play, Mary’s going to go grab some of the snacks I brought with me, Kathleen said, pointing at me.

Kathleen had instructed me that this was my cue to get the pot of coffee I had made with grounds she had come with. I had been instructed that she would provide everything for the party, even the snacks. I was to find out about allergies and tell her. She would make sure the food was safe. I hadn’t told Kathleen, but Fay had only told me about an hour before the event that she was vegan and would bring her own snack. I felt like Kathleen would be mad at me if she knew one person hadn’t followed instructions. Erin had made it clear that it could hurt my chance of a good party if I failed to follow the instructions to the letter.

Fay had told me she understood and would not let Kathleen see her eating her vegan food.

It’s not that I think Kathleen would bring something I can’t eat, Fay had explained, it’s that I don’t know because I can’t see the label, and this is about my health.

I nodded, understanding how dangerous food can be when you’re on an exacting diet for your health. My youngest had a tree nut allergy that required we always watch what he put in his mouth. Kathleen had assured me that nothing she brought had nuts of any kind. It was a relief since the kids were trying to sneak into the kitchen to taste the brownies and cookies Kathleen had brought with her. I couldn’t watch the kids and host the party at the same time. I was pretty sure my husband, who was supposed to be watching the kids, was so engrossed in his video game that he wouldn’t realize our son had a brownie or cookie in his mouth.

I brought the coffee pot and mugs into my den. My friends were all cheering as Kathleen handed each person a raffle ticket. I missed the game, but they are all the same: you get a ticket if you answer the question. I felt like Kathleen really just wanted an excuse to give people a ticket. I turned around to grab the desserts, and I checked the oven for the hot-dip that was