The Cost of CookieCon- A Dramatic Reading

The following is an actual (well, slightly​ embellished) series of conversations between an enthusiastic cookier (C) and her husband (H) about attending her first CookieCon.

C: OMG, there is an event coming up called CookieCon!!!  Some of my favorite cookiers will be there! I have to go!!!
 
H: Really?  They have a convention?  That’s funny.
 
C: Oh I’m dead serious.  This is amazing!!!  There will be actual classes!!! I’ll be learning from the folks I follow on line. . . OMG OMG OMG
 
H:  Huh. . . who knew?  That’s cool.  So it’s like a day thing?
 
C: No way, it says here it’s a 3-day event!  There are classes, competitions and a banquet!  OMG I have to text (insert name of cookie friend here).
 
H:  Is it free?
 
C:  Ummm, no.  Looks like you have to buy a ticket, but its only $295!  Wow, for 3 days of this, and dinner!!!!  I have to do it!
 
H:  $300??  Wow, OK.  I mean it seems like a once in a lifetime thing, right?
 
C:  Yeah, sure.  Although I think this is the 4th one. . . 
 
H:  OK, sounds good.  $300 isn’t too bad I guess.  If it makes you this happy.
 
C: (no more responses as cookier is ignoring her husband and is engrossed online)
 
CookieCon Cost: $295.00
​

Two weeks later...

C: Hey babe, great news!  Southwest is running a sale!!!  My flight will only be $460 round trip!!!
 
H:  Flight?  Where are you going?
 
C:  CookieCon!!!  Oh I’m so excited!
 
H:  Flight?  Where is it???
 
C:  Salt Lake City!!!  Isn’t that exciting???
 
H:  SLC???  I had no idea it was so far away…
 
C:  Yeah, but I talked to (Cookie Friend) and she’s going too!!!  SO I’ll have a roommate, which is great because then my room is half price!
 
H:  (groaning) Airfare and a hotel. . . and I suppose you’ll want to eat while you’re there.
 
C:  Haha. . . yeah, probably some.  And of course, we’ll need wine money!!!
 
H: Of course, you will.
 
CookieCon Cost: $1160.00

​A week later...
 
C: (staring at laptop)  NO WAY!!!  There are pre-classes at CookieCon!!!  I’ll be able to learn from even more amazing cookiers!!!  I can’t even. . . 
 
H:  I’m afraid too. . . are those included in your ticket?
 
C:  No, I don’t think so.  But it will totally be worth it.
 
H:  Hehe. . . ok babe, if you say so.

​CookieCon Cost: $1410.00

 Three days later...
 
C:  Wow, I just found out there’s going to be vendors!!!!  Just like those trade shows you go to for work!
 
H:  Oh cool, so you’ll at least get some free stuff.
 
C:  No, I think they’re just selling their stuff.  But I can buy stuff there and save on shipping! Score!!
 
H:  I should have seen that coming.
 
CookieCon Cost: $1710.00

Two weeks later...
 
C:  OK, it’s time to get serious.  I have to start working on my sugar show entries.  I’m going to need this new cutter, and this stencil.  Oh, these will work perfect!!!
 
H:  I’m not listening. . . 
 
CookieCon Cost: $1730.00

Five days later...
 
C:  Get a load of this!
 
H:  How much???
 
C: No silly, there’s this supply store in SLC that’s quite a big deal.  Word on the web is a must visit for bakers.  It’s not within walking distance, so we’ll need to grab a cab or an uber.  Oh wow, this is so cool.
 
H:  Yeah, that’s how I’d describe it.
 
CookieCon Cost: $1880.00

A week later...
 
C:  Need anything while I’m out?
 
H:  Maybe, where are you headed?
 
C:  The mall.  I need to get some new outfits for Salt Lake City.
 
H:  Huh?
 
C:  You know, CookieCon.  I want a couple of new outfits!
 
H:  Sigh.
 
CookieCon Cost: $2080.00

We revisit our couple at the conclusion of CookieCon, upon the cookier's return home...

C:  And I had to get a CookieCon T-shirt, had to buy a gift for (cookie friend that she finally got to meet in person), a new suitcase to fit all this great giveaway stuff!  We went out to some great restaurants for dinner!!!  And so much more to show you!!!  Come look!!!
 
H: (cracks open a beer)
 
Final cost of CookieCon: $1,254,093.47

C: Hey babe! I just found out there’s a Cookie Cruise coming up!!!