What is an IPO?

Bridget Bodnar (0:02)

Okay, Ryan, this is the last stand selling giant turkey drumsticks at the Fairy Court of Food. You're going to have to wait until we get to the other side of the Dragon Jouse before you get another chance.

Ryan Perez (0:12)

Bridget, I know I let you talk me into coming to this Renaissance Fun Fair, but I'm not ready for a giant turkey leg yet. I'll know when I'm hungry enough to eat a giant turkey leg. It's not like I eat them all the time. It's a twice a year thing for me.

Bridget Bodnar (0:25)

Okay, okay, suit yourself, it's just one of those classic Renaissance Fair activities, you know? Like dressing up in too tight vest or shopping for chain mail. Oh, do you want a Scotch egg?

Ryan Perez (0:35)

Oh, was that guy blowing fire while wearing a dragon mask?

Bridget Bodnar (0:39)

Yes, that's exactly what that was.

Ryan Perez (0:41)

Is there a restroom around here?

Bridget Bodnar (0:43)

Oh, you mean the prithy-privies? Yeah, straight past the Griffin and Globe stage. You know what, I'm gonna go catch some of the Dead Edge show while I wait for you.

Ryan Perez (0:51)

That guy, it looks like it's just a skeleton puppet.

Bridget Bodnar (0:54)

Ryan, Dead Edge is a Renaissance funfair legend.

Ryan Perez (0:58)

Okay, well, excuse me. I'll be right back.

SPEAKER_3 (1:02)

Welcome to Storytime with Dead Edge. I'm your host, Dead Edge, the world's meanest bone-insult comic. What a lovely audience. But if your IQs were any lower, I'd trip over them.

And you, sir, did you get a free bowl of soup with that haircut?

Of course you did. They can hear it in Cleveland. I can't tell if these jokes are killing or if an ambulance is pulling up. All right. Today, I'm going to tell you a story. Everybody repeat after me. Say, Hi, Dead Ed.

SPEAKER_4 (1:40)

Say, Hi, Dead Ed.

SPEAKER_3 (1:42)

You numbskulls.

SPEAKER_6 (1:46)

Hey, Bridget. So I don't get it.

Ryan Perez (1:48)

Why is he so mean?

Bridget Bodnar (1:50)

That's his whole shtick. He's an insult comic. So he's mean to be funny. But don't let him catch us talking or he'll shame us to the crowd.

SPEAKER_3 (1:57)

You there. You two in the back. Little Red and the man with the bald spot. Fancy I've never seen a head with a helipad on it.

SPEAKER_6 (2:06)

How embarrassing.

Ryan Perez (2:12)

Welcome back to Million Basilion. I'm Ryan.

Bridget Bodnar (2:15)

And I'm Bridget and we help dollars make more sense.

Ryan Perez (2:18)

Today we're coming to you from the Renaissance Fun Fair. This was Bridget's idea. The Renaissance was considered a rebirth of art and scientific inquiry, though today I'm mostly seeing a lot of fairy wings and a lot of complicated facial hair.

Bridget Bodnar (2:32)

Oh, give it a chance. The Renaissance Fun Fair has a way of growing on people.

Ryan Perez (2:36)

Well, I hope not. OK, let's take today's question.

SPEAKER_7 (2:40)

Hi, this is Perry. I am from Clarksville, Indiana, and I have a question for you, Million Bazillion. How do different companies get on the stock market? I heard about SpaceX getting on the stock market with an IPO. So I was wondering, what are the different ways? Tell me how they get on there and how much money they can make.

And I am your biggest fan.

I love your show. Please use my question. This is Perry signing off. Bye.

Ryan Perez (3:24)

Bridget, our biggest fan has given me a great idea for this episode. First step, we ditch this Renaissance Fun Fair immediately and head down to the-

Bridget Bodnar (3:33)

No, no, no, no. This is where we need to be, Ryan, to answer Perry's question.

Ryan Perez (3:37)

Here? I bet publicly traded companies didn't even exist during the actual Renaissance.

Bridget Bodnar (3:42)

Okay, actually, the Renaissance period ended in the early 1600s, and the very first publicly traded company started selling shares or pieces of itself to the public on the first stock market in 1602 So, there's some overlap.

Ryan Perez (3:58)

That sounds like a technicality.

SPEAKER_8 (4:02)

Here I am.

Bridget Bodnar (4:03)

Here is who?

SPEAKER_8 (4:05)

Here is me, Wizard Marilyn at your service.

Ryan Perez (4:09)

What is a Wizard Marilyn? And what's with the resplendent blue robes?

Bridget Bodnar (4:14)

Ha!

SPEAKER_8 (4:14)

Obviously, I am the Fair Wizard. And by the sound of it, you two are about to embark on a quest, but you're not quite sure how to begin.

I knew you'd probably need my help.

Ryan Perez (4:27)

A quest?

SPEAKER_8 (4:28)