Modesty: Nikki poses in a small bikini for a photo shoot, and later wears a tiny diamond-crusted bikini for Stark’s version of a Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Em leans forward in Brandon’s presence, knowing her position will reveal her cleavage. Then, recalling Lulu’s words that girls should give and take away, she strategically withdraws the seductive view. Lulu dresses provocatively and flaunts her cleavage to get Steven’s attention. Em says Christopher’s form-fitting jeans don’t leave much to the imagination. She is disappointed that, although she’s worn a painful push-up bra, Christopher still pays no attention to her breasts. A female acrobat Lulu hires for her party performs nearly nude. Em wears a slinky dress to Lulu’s party, as does her younger teenaged sister.
Partying/Drinking: Nikki’s roommate gets Em into the best parties, which result in many late nights and painful early mornings. Nikki’s art director recalls a time they drank a lot and went skinny dipping. Brandon has a reputation for being frequently drunk. The tabloids wrongly suggest that Em (as Nikki) is using drugs. Steven says that a party doesn’t have to be an elaborate event: A person can just get a keg and pour out a bag of pretzels. Lulu promises to have every imaginable type of liquor at her party. Though some of the characters using alcohol may be legally old enough to do so (this isn’t clarified in the text), Em is only 17. Her younger sister, Frida, idolizes her sister’s new friends and lifestyle. She attends Lulu’s party, where someone gives her enough alcohol to get her drunk while telling her it’s non-alcoholic. Nervous that Stark will learn he operated on Nikki, Dr. Fong drinks a shot of whisky. Brandon offers champagne to everyone in his limo, including under-aged Em as Nikki.
Lying: As Nikki, Em’s entire life is a lie. She must constantly pretend to be someone else to keep her identity hidden, and she tells many other lies along the way in her efforts to uncover Stark’s deception. Other characters, including Christopher, Richard Stark, Dr. Fong and Em’s younger sister, Frida, lie in order to keep their plans or current circumstances secret.
Other deviant/criminal behavior: Christopher and his cousin, Felix, plan to hack into Stark’s computer system and take down the company. They feel their actions are justified because of what Stark Enterprises has done to Em. Felix, a 14-year-old, is already under house arrest for a computer hacking crime, yet he still has access to his computer equipment. Em and friends steal Brandon’s limo to track down Steven’s mom. Dr. Fong tells them that folks in the Stark Corporation could kill them as they have done to others. Em recalls how she and Christopher used to save their money to buy “adult only” video games. Stark Enterprises tries to destroy Nikki Howard’s brain because she learns company secrets. Dr. Fong forges documents so Stark won’t discover that he’s saved Nikki’s life.
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