Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - He Tried to Warn You
Addison MacKenzie
(( ‘Appetite Optional’, Ferenginar ))
The high-arched auburn eyebrows of the Artemis CO wiggled with vigor, a gleam of mischief twinkling in her bright blue eyes.
MacKenzie: And miss out on the fun? I've been waiting for a Ferengi to yell at another Ferengi since we left that gods-forsaken gymnasium.
Bancroft: Ma’am, if I may–
Addison popped another forkful of the pinwheel in her mouth, then used the utensil to point at Bancroft as her eyes started to water again.
MacKenzie: Besides, I don't feel sick, do you?
Besides, she'd be damned if she let either one of them spoil the little bit of fun she did get to have.
Bancroft: Me? Oh, no ma’am. Not sick at all. ::stomach gurgling traitorously:: I do have some mild concern about the health and safety of Commander Munro’s intestinal lining, though…
She glanced half-heartedly in Munro's direction.
MacKenzie: I don't think she counts.
Bancroft's head snapped toward Ava in seeming disbelief, and then quickly regained his composure. MacKenzie could only shake her head with disappointment. Nearby, the Ferengi continued shouting. Somewhere, a chair skidded.
MacKenzie tapped the table, and then turned to face her colleagues, clearly annoyed by the escalating situation.
MacKenzie: If they come over here and try to keep me from taking the rest of my hasparat to go, I will get belligerent.
Bancroft lifted another forkful of hasparat to his mouth. This time, he appeared to handle the spice much better. MacKenzie, half distracted by the Ferengi, was brought back to the table when Bancroft spoke.
MacKenzie: I never cared for the taste of Bloodwine. I much prefer an Irish Coffee...
When the soundwaves from MacKenzie's voice had faded, the pair of Starfleet officers realized that the commotion from the back had ceased and all was silent. It wasn't long before Fring materialized at the table, and he was... likely embarrassed.
Bancroft, seeming to interpret MacKenzie's glare at the Ferengi, instinctively reached across the table and placed his hand on Fring's... at the same place where the restaurateur gripped the platter of hasparat.
Her hasparat.
Bancroft: ::to Fring:: I really wouldn’t do that if I were you.
MacKenzie, her eyes never leaving the Ferengi, cocked her head in such a way that suggested the Ferengi would be wise to take the doctor's advice. After a moment of hesitation, he tried to tug the platter out of Bancroft's hand. Bancroft, aware that MacKenzie's patience must certainly be nearing its end, half-stood from his chair and retained his grip on the platter.
Bancroft: ::to Fring:: I realize that sounded polite. It wasn’t meant to be. ::beat:: It was a warning.
It was Addison's turn to offer a disingenuous smile.
MacKenzie: I think I'd listen to him if I were you...
Fring, ever insistent, tugged even harder.
Fring: But I can't-
In one fell swoop, the Federation flag officer simultaneously launched herself from her chair, swiped her fork by the handle, and impaled it into the table's surface mere centimeters from where Fring's hand clutched her platter of precious hasparat.
MacKenzie: ::with a voice half an octave lower than its usual range:: Drop it.
She stared at the Ferengi insistently. Generally not one to blink first, she started to reach for her fork once again, and finally the proprietor got the message and went scurrying toward the back screaming. MacKenzie reached for her napkin and dabbed the corners of her mouth before smirking at Bancroft in satisfaction.
Bancroft: Response
MacKenzie: I didn't even have to mention that I was a galactically-renowned surgeon and that I'd take off his lobes piece by piece if he didn't let it go...
Bancroft: Response
With her appetite now officially ruined, MacKenzie started to move toward the door, unwilling to put up with the Ferengi antics any longer. Behind her, she could hear Bancroft's footsteps - gleefully? gratefully? - trailing behind. Just as they were about to pass through the exit - and likely Bancroft's salvation - she turned to face the doctor.
MacKenzie: Not so fast. ::pointing:: Go to the kitchen and ask for a to-go container. Don't bother boxing up the gagh - it's terrible when it's not fresh.
She turned back toward the exit. She wasn't sure if she heard Bancroft inhale as though he was about to speak, but the mere thought was enough for her to turn back to face him once more.
MacKenzie: Doctor Bancroft, if you don't come back to the Artemis with that hasparat, you can find your own ride back to the Borderlands.
Bancroft: Response (if desired)
Knowing that one way or another, she'd get the rest of that hasparat, MacKenzie gleefully turned and made her way back onto the crowded Ferengi street, thankful for the unexpected delicious meal.
Tag, and End Scene for MacKenzie!
---
Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A
Executive Council Member
V239601AM0