Auction Starts

Alex was escorted to his VIP room somewhere. He arrived in a massive room with no windows at all. Instead, there was a formation that projected an image of the auction in the air.

"Do we not get to see the auction directly?" he asked the woman that remained behind them as the doors were locked.

"I am afraid that is how things are done here, your Majesty," she spoke. "Because of how the size of the auction, and every guest being a VIP of equal importance to us, we decided that this was the best approach a long time ago."

"My words may not mean much to you, your Majesty, but I can assure you that you will not dislike this experience, different as it may be."

"I am glad to hear that at least," Alex said, sitting on a comfortable seat, leaning back with a leg perched on his knees. The two elders sat next to him and looked at the floating image of an empty stage by themselves. 

"How long before the auction starts?" he asked.