Business Competition
Posted on Thu Dec 15th, 2022 @ 7:07pm by Tom Vercetti & Vito Russo & Crumm Widdy
504 words; about a 3 minute read
Mission:
Episode 114 - A Time and Place for Everything
Location: Starbase 400
Timeline: MD1 - 1100hrs
On:
Tom and Vito were finishing up putting real decorations outside of “Good Fella’s Bar and Grille”. Pausing, Tom looked over at Splendora’s shop for a few moments wondering where she was and if she was okay. She’d been gone so long.
“I heard Vic accessed the Promenade’s holo-emitters and plans to do some caroling this weekend.” Vic said, snapping Tom out of his thoughts.
“I heard that too, and he’s bringing a pack of rats with him.” Crumm said as he shivered.
“The Rat Pack Crumm.” Tony C replied with a smirk.
“Yeah…Frank, Dean, and Sammy walking the Promenade and singing. It’ll be something special.” Tom said with a smile.
“Well, if he wants to bring his rats along that’s fine, just keep them out of the Skyline Lounge.” Crumm replied, still not getting it. “But, why did he name the rodents?”
Vito, Tom, and Tony C. just shook their heads, but a moment later their eyes were fixed on two Ferengi walking toward them.
“You’ve got to be shitting me.” Tom said.
“Quark?” Vito said, not believing his eyes for a moment, “With Zark?”
“Gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to see you all.” Quark said with a sly smile. He then turned to Crum, “I don’t think we’ve met before.”
“Crumm Widdy.” The Bolian replied, “I own the Skyline Lounge.” He smiled and motioned toward his establishment.
“He cuts into my profits.” Zark added as he flared his nose.
“Everyone cuts into your profits Zark.” Tony C. replied with a smile.
“Well, not anymore. Zark’s Bar is being rebranded as an officially licensed Quark’s franchise! We’re expanding, adding some new features, and improving the menu.” Quark bosted.
Crumm looked concerned at Tom.
“Don’t stress about it Crumm, there’s more than enough business with the Starfleet personnel alone for us all to be profitable.” Tom reassured the Bolian.
“Spoken like a Ferengi with small lops.” Zark countered.
Vito crossed his arms and let out a huff. “You’ll be fine Crumm.”
“Well, we have business to do and agreements to sign.” Quark said, eager to get the deal signed before Zark could read the fine print of back out of the deal.
As the Ferengi walked off Tony C. turned to Tom, “What do you think?”
“I think he sees civilians returning to the area, increased trade passing through and out toward the Raeyan Expansion Area, and he’s thinking of profits. His franchise on Free Cloud does well, and he’s betting he’ll do equally well here even with all of us turning a good profit too.” Tom explained.
Vito nodded, “Exactly. And if the plan fails he has Zark to blame. It’s a win/win for him.”
“If you all think so.” Crumm said as he turned and walked toward his bar.
Tom glanced back at Splendora’s shop, then headed into his restaurant to get ready for the coming lunch rush.
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