At the spaceport 2/3

Previous/Next

Marek:

Got your message. I appreciate the heads up sir, I truly do, but I think Beanie's just stirring the pot. Yes, someone fumbled on the credentials, and yes I was the last one back, but who would possibly believe that someone— least of all I—had malicious intent? What was I supposed to do? It took me half the day just to beg a ride home.

Management keeps me around because I earn. They can be a bunch of nervous schoolgirls sometimes, but they know who puts meat and butter on their table.

Speaking of! You may not believe it, but I am currently standing at good old Loonie central again. Why, you may ask?

I noticed something the other day while fruitlessly soliciting a ride. A Loonie comes to the spaceport to board his &quot;chariot to the stars&quot;, right? And he knows he's not coming back for ever and ever, right? He can't take much with him, because of the weight restrictions, and most of these ships operate on independent script instead of good old-fashioned credits. So the credits and chips and shiny things in the Loonie's pockets aren't of use to him anymore, right? And he can't take any of it with him. So what does he do with it?

Marek, my erstwhile colleague, there are people here that are literally throwing credits in the trash. My hand to God.

Now what if an enterprising gentleman like myself happened to be standing next to the trash, offering to take that pesky loose change, jewelry, and other bits of metal off of these proud adventurers' hands?

I am standing here, pockets literally bulging with lucre. And I could be wrong, but I don't even think it's illegal! Crazy days we live in.

I'm telling you, my most favored coworker, because I want you to round up some of the street kids we've been using for front-and-follow. Buy them a ticket and send them down here. I want them in eight hour shifts, starting tomorrow. Pick the skinny ones with big wet eyes if you can. Maximize the sympathy. The greedy buggers will skim some of the take, and we can't help that. And we'll have to kick another cut up to management, and we can't help that either. But after everyone has their piece, I think you and I can clear quite a penny on this.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go hire myself a proper ride back.