Oddities
Posted on 27 Apr 2024 @ 7:28am by Brek - Timeless Treasures Art Gallery
Mission:
M4 - Falling Out
Location: O.C. Station - Timeless Treasures Art Gallery
Timeline: MD 4 - Day 24 Afternoon.
1055 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure
Brek wouldn’t have found it possible, but he was shocked. Gobsmacked, even, by Mrs Novikov’s efficiency. She had already sent the advertisement she wanted to display on the gallery’s window. Brek envisioned posters screaming their message in brash reds and yellows. Novikov, however, favored a more understated approach. Hers was a simple blue poster featuring the quadrant in the background and a solitary blue jay in the center. Accompanying it was a collage of computer screens displaying arrival and departure times, punctuated by the bold text: "Recruiting Engineers." It wasn't Brek's style, but it undeniably conveyed professionalism and purpose.
Behind him, he could hear Glutik, having a quiet discussion with young Kyrill. It was to do with light and shadow and how their discerning use helped create a mysterious atmosphere. Naturally, with Kyrill’s grimdark preference, dark themes were a favourite. Everyone apparently loved a mystery they were saying. Brek disagreed. Mysteries, that is to say how unaware you are of any given situation, cost money and so it was always preferable to have clarity and knowledge.
There were limits to this, of course. Not all information was worth its while. There was also garbage that was best left alone. For instance, at the moment, the Ferengi could also hear the PaDD in his pocket, humming a few notes from Beethoven’s 9th symphony every minute or so. The caller were, without a doubt, the owners of The Copyright Collective, a network he had decided to dismantle. Their lack of trust (unreasonable, in his opinion) and stingy access restrictions had forced his hand. This was why the collective was now experiencing a nasty case of ransomware. Needless to say, being busy, demonstrably unavailable, was crucial right now. He was juggling a hectic schedule and a few... personal matters. He was, in a word, swamped. How easy it was to deceive and self-deceive...
And then, while observing the various posters and ads displayed on the gallery’s window, he noticed a disobliging item: a small advert, painfully scribed by Glutik, in which he was seeking romance. It read: “Strong and stoic Tellarite bodyguard, looking for an expressive partner for stimulating conversations. Illogical flattery a turn-off. Will provide unparalleled security!”
The furious question that burned on Brek's tongue - "How long has that thing been there?!" - died in his throat. His holographic assistant was currently engaged with a potential customer, and a sudden outburst could easily scare away the timid creature. Indeed, the Terran individual in question exuded an air of indecision, the type of office worker who rarely ventured out of their comfort zone and might be startled by the slightest commotion. They looked like a nervous hermit crab, a true introvert with an enigmatic smile perpetually etched on their face. Everyone meets them from time to time. They barely finish their sentences and it is through their silences that they appear to be wise.
Anyway, the answer to his question regarding the rogue ad didn’t matter. He had been swindled once more by his close entourage. He was too soft, and when you are in that sorry state, there is only one recourse: you need to toughen up. With this newfound resolve, he marched to his office, where his determination was postponed.
There were, on his desk, two boxes. Deliveries had been made! He hadn’t ordered anything recently so, as he hated a good mystery, he tore open the boxes. The first package revealed a donation from his old Ferengi friend, Neph. It was a perfectly flawed latinum bar, which would join his fine collection of oddities. As for the second box, (curiously and unpleasantly light) it contained a box of Terran chocolates, made, more precisely, with Alpine Milk. Another oddity then. He opened the box slowly, with the hope that it might contain something other than candies. What is more disappointing, for instance, than having a shoe box with shoes inside, when you can use that box to pack a rare artefact instead?
Alas, he had in front of him 24 genuine chocolates. They all looked like little treasures, but they were really just that: cocoa infused with various flavours. A small note accompanied the strange gift, which turned out to be from another friend, Mrs Moreau.
It said: “All is well here. Splendid fresh air in the French countryside. Though I wish the shite I walk in everyday was more abstract. Hope things are well on your end.”
Was this a veiled plea for help? Maybe not. On the other side of the card was the address of an equitation school called “Le Clos des Brumes/The Misty Enclosure”. So la Moreau had reinvented herself. After dealing with monkeys for the best part of her life, she was now dealing with horses. Was this a good bargain? He couldn't decide.
Following his instincts, he nearly grabbed a handful of chocolates, but logic prevailed. The beauty with gifts is that when you don’t like them, you can re-gift them to someone else. Besides, a box of chocs always looks good when it’s well wrapped. With a hint of mischief, he then penned a reply to Moreau: "Absolutely adore the chocolates! Do send more!"
It was time now, to leave those futilities aside and focus on his latest preoccupation. He needed to find a life coach, an instructor that would teach him to morph into a perfect Ferengi. Hopefully at 36, it wasn’t too late yet for this grand transformation.
One hour later all the chocolates had been eaten and he was on his second glass of black rum. Whether he decided to hire a ‘Life Strategist’ or a ‘Success Coach’ the fee those people asked to impart their expertise had made his eyes water. As for their words of wisdom...
Here is a sample of what he found:
Feeling like a hamster on a wheel of mediocrity?
Or maybe you know that your incompetence is choking you, each and every miserable day?
Waste away no more! Change your life trajectory with Cosmic Confidence and learn to read alternate realities and profit from them!
He sighed. Would this really, really be money well spent?
Nah. He was definitely too old for this sort of stunt. Giving his shiny latinum to pixie dust peddlers, I ask you...
