Lt Avander Promontory: Grateful for a Post-scarcity Economy
Avander Promentory
((Gratitude Festival, Bajor))
His first visit to Bajor was going well enough, until it came time to pay the vendor (and tip the insistent juggler). Unfortunately, the prices were in latinum. Avander hadn’t thought to bring hard specie since they weren’t on a mission but Aine had suggested just using credits.
Promontory: I guess we could do that.
Josh stuck out his thumb at the suggestion, but the vendor didn’t proffer a PADD. It seemed like the festival was “cash only.”
Sherlock: I got you guys, don't worry.
Herrick: ::feeling his cheeks blush a bit from embarrassment:: Thanks!
Promontory: I’ll get us next time. (beat) When I’m in my work pants. (looking down at his uniform) Uh… my other work pants!
While the food vendor was satisfied with the slips that Aine passed over, the juggler cheekily thought he had found a mark.
Juggler: Thank you! One more and I'll leave you alone for good!
He had not, in fact, found an easy mark in Lt Aine Sherlock.
Sherlock: ::sternly:: NO.
Promontory: I wouldn’t push it friend.
Avander knew Aine mostly by reputation, but that reputation was informed by a pair of ensigns who swore that the Lt would just as soon kill you as look at you. Avander thought that was a bit exaggerated, but it was probably not worth testing the actual limits of the security officer’s patience.
The juggler made the same smart calculation and sulked away.
Sherlock: ::talking with her mouthful again:: It may not work in the Gamma Quadrant so much, but you guys should get your hands on some latinum. It's always good to have some, you never know when you'll need it.
Promontory: (brightly) Oh, I have some. (beat, then more sheepishly) It’s just all back on the ship.
To be fair to himself, coming to the festival was sort of a last-minute impulse decision and Avander wasn’t in the habit of walking around the ship with loose coins.
Herrick: How does one earn a decent keep of latinum?
Sherlock: Mine? Gambling. I never lose. Luck'o'the Irish.
She gave the pair a wink.
Promontory: Oh, do you play cards!? We should get a game going on the ship.
Avander had played a lot with his academy cohort and, in his opinion, gotten quite good at a number of games that involved betting, but hadn’t played since.
Promontory: (slyly) Unless your ‘luck’ means it’s not a fair game…
Herrick: So, what you’re saying is she’ll keep the inside edge? ::grinning:: Perhaps when we get back up to DS9, I can start learning some Dabo basics from one of you; maybe some Starfleet Intelligence tips and tricks. ::waggling his eyebrows at Avander::
Promontory: (deadpan) Oh, if you can’t bluff your way through a few hands of five-card stud, they won't let you into the second year of intelligence training...
Sherlock: Response
But it seemed they would not be left alone too long to enjoy their food and conversation as a shabby-looking Bajoran in dusty orange robes solicited their attention.
Vedek: Would you care to take a tour of the Monastery of the Kai?
The officers exchanged looks, but Avander didn’t know the others well enough to anticipate their thoughts.
Promontory: I mean, I’m not opposed…
Sherlock: Response
Vedek: I’m sure I could get you an orb experience, for the right… donation.
Ah. It was another shakedown. Avander looked around—how many of these vendors were going to hit them up for a ‘donation?’
Herrick: It seems like latinum does most of the talking at the gratitude festival. ::looking at Sherlock:: You might end up feeling like you have a hole at the bottom of your pocket.
Promontory: (to the Vedek) An orb experience you say? (shrugging) Eh, I’ve already had one. (beat) And it was free.
Avander wanted to say something about how the Prophets weren’t interested in profit, but he wasn’t sure the point would translate.
Sherlock: Response
Vedek: Well, I never!
Promontory: Aine, is there anything else here that’s less… commercial?
Sherlock/Herrick/(Vedek?): Response
Promontory: (shrugging) I’m a stranger here myself.
Sherlock/Herrick: Response
Promontory: OK. One more shot!
Sherlock/Herrick: Response
Tags/TBC
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