06/19/2006
Station City - 200 Marina
Historically, Station City has always been a centre of trade and industry. But it achieved fame as the nerve centre of the pioneering transcontinental rail network, not as a sea port. Hence, Maritime pursuits in Station City have always been for pleasure, not business, and the Marina reflects that. While it doesn't attract many tourists these days, it's still popular with the locals. Various small businesses, and the occasional vendor, have set up shop along the bay. Several restaurants and bistros are in residence, with outdoor seating beneath a forest of umbrellas. And, of course, the crystal blue waters of the Emerald Coast are always visible.
Just off Station Square, this portion of the Marina is home to what passes for the local pier, with several small craft, ranging from little speedboats to larger yachts, docked securely in various berths. Beyond the moored civilian craft, one or two Military cutters patrol the waters of the bay, part of the security net that keeps Station City safe. To the north, further along the Marina, one can make out the shape of the Twinkle Park complex dominating the skyline, and to the south, the glittering tower of the Station City Hotel.
[Exits : Station Square , 100 Marina , and 300 Marina ]
Antoine spits! "How DARE yous try to pull the lamb over mine eyes with zis...MARGERINE!" >_<
Harley gives Antoine the hairy eyeball. "Lissen, pup, you got problems with what I got, 's as easy as going without... Now, y'gonna take th' butter or ain'tcha? You got any idea what it takes keepin' that stuff cold'n'clean f'r half a year?!"
Harley's philosophy is simple; you don't like it, you don't get it. ;3
Trump leans in, "Now now, do I understand you are having trouble moving this merchandise? We might be able to take this poor margerine-seeming butter offer your hands.. for a reduced price of course.."
Harley arches an eyebrow, peering down at Trump. "...Pony up, girlie. Lessee what you got for trade 'afore we settle down t'business."
The rabbit nods a bit, "Of course, of course.." She reaches for some of the supplies she brought along, "I have two bussels of turnips, one of carrots, two jars of.. two jars of.." Trump breaks off to peer into the sack, her eyes narrow. "Blast that insufferable snacker! I have told him a thousand times, at least fill out the forms first! Blast it all! That was a decent trade good!" After a moment her ears lay back and she remembers where she is at the moment, ".. ahha.. Well, never mind that.. I also have this-" She thumps down a bar of gold with Robotnik's ugly mug on it. "-which was 'liberated'.. though we'd certainly want more than a case of old butter for it.."
Harley's eyebrow rises, ever so slightly. "Lissen, buttercup, cause a word or two's the only free thing I gotta give. Veggies an' such, yer better off keepin' in y'r own stores, 'stead 'a tradin' it off f'r a heap a salted milk. Be happy t' take that gold off y'r hands, though, an' I'll throw in a few rolls o' good cotton."
Trump taps her foot a few times in thought, "Cotton we do not need so much of.. do you have any strong rope available?" There was only so far vine-rope will get you. "Also we could make use of more nails. On a less practical note.." She glances around to she if any of her group is nearby, "..do you have any decent tea onboard?" She could kill for a fine cup of tea.
Harley smirks. "Well-a-well. It's tea you're wantin', is it? 'N how lucky, we got a whole crate o' the stuff in th'holds... WHaddaya say? Tea 'n butter for that little hunk o' glitter there?"
The rabbit's foot thumps the floor excitedly against Trump's will at the thought of a crate of tea before she can calm it down. Biting a lip, she sighs, "While I may admit to having an interest in that offer, I cannot in good faith return without some strong rope and nails, the 'butter' as you call it and the tea are unfortunately side items that I would appreciate aquiring as well."
Harley's lips thin slightly, the lanky Siamese crossing her arms over her chest and glaring down at the rabbit. "Lissen, buttercup, 'f y'r so interested 'n what I got, I'd think as it wouldn't be the best idea to go snubbin' what's f'r trade. Nails I got, rope I got, 'n the glim there's a good trade for 'm both. Final offer."
Trump's ears flatten back as her eyes narrow at the siamese, "Now look here, I am not your 'buttercup', nor am I looking for trouble. If you want repeat business for /this/ rabbit, you can lay the short additude aside. And I'll take that offer for rope and nails. Now if we could manage a small amount tea in exchange for some freshly grown and well cared for carrots or turnips, you might have someone willing to discuss longer term trade arrangements. I like things neat and orderly, and a regular person to check in with would look great on my calander." She eyes the trader carefully, "And frankly from what I have heard, much of the traders are pretty fly-by-night, though I have come across rumor you are fairly competent. I am not asking much, regular time to catch you here and we will drop off a list of things we would be particularly interested in trading for if you come across it.
Harley's blue eyes glitter, lips parting in a thin, humorless smile, featuring a great many sharp teeth. "Oh aye, s'far 's I've seen, I'm about the best bet you've got, missy. Them Knothole reps could tell ya all about me, 'f you cared enough to ask. But look here, missy. You ain't in no position to get short with *me,* savvy? Way I see it, I'm the one who c'n getcha whatcha need. *I* been doin' just fine without'cher business up to now, an' while new blood's always a good thing, I've turned down routes before. So, 'buttercup,' how bad d'ya need a steady trader?"
Trump throws her hands in the air then rubs her face and ruffles her whiskers. Deep sigh. What she would not give for a secretary, an office, and regular distributors again. "Even if we have descended into a new dark age of commerce, I appologise for expecting a small amount of professional courtesy. I even thought I had sought out a professional trader instead of the vagabonds and pirates we normally have to make do with. You have been far more short with me, I have only made a couple return snaps after you had managed to urk my already well stretched tolerances. I have merely suggested a simple business propsition to better empower our mutal time at this particular port of call. I mention things our group would like, I come back, if you happen to have them we arrange an apporpraite exchange of goods, perhaps items you mention to us an interest in aquiring.. Simplistic stuff, only three forms, and you increase business potentional without spending excess time or resources beyond those normally involved. Prefectly reasonable.." the rabbit draws the heavy chunk of gold off the table, "..but if you aren't at all interesting I could continue the usual practice of spending a few days tracking down all I need to acquire from multiple sources."
Harley arches an eyebrow. "Take it easy, missy. F'r the luvva Pete, y'r high-strung, ain'tcha? Look, I ain't sayin' as I wouldn't be averse ta keepin' a lookout, but y'aint got no call makin' it out like I'm tryin' t'pass over garbage. Makes an honest woman touchy, y'know? 'Specially if y'don't want any more hassle, like you say, you're losin' more'n I am by walkin off. Now, y'wanna talk business, let's talk business, an' put'cher backfur down."
Trump deep breathes a couple times, then manually takes her hand and brushes her ears back and her fur down, which had indeed bristled durning her barrage. The rabbit pulls out a pair of glasses on by a chain and settles them on her nose before focusing on the other person again, "My appologies Captain Harley, I'm afraid I still long for the old days when business could be cutthroat but not usually literally. Now, perhaps we should get back to the offer at hand.. One bar of gold for several lengths of strong rope and a medium box of nails. And perhaps I could share some carrots with you right now in exchange for a single cup of tea to discuss things over?"
Harley shrugs a bit, pulling out a small notepad and scribbling the order down. "Fair's fair. An' I'm afraid I don't go in much for tea *or* carrots, but like as not I can see my way clear to throwing in a couple ounces t' celebrate th' deal, mh?"
The rabbit smiles warmly at that, "I belive that is something that would be most satifactory- and appreciated." She the reaches into a pouch at her side and deftly draws out three papers and a clipboard. Removing a pen as well she spends a couple silent moments signing and filling in blank lines before spinning the clipboard around and handing it to Harley, "If you could sign here- here- and here.. and intial here- and here." The lettering on the pages is sharp enough though the paper has a slightly rough feel, one might think she has a small paper mill and printing press just to make paperwork. The contents of the pages include a lot of five dollar words, but it basicly boils down to 'talked to you', 'agreed to a non-exclusive trade assistment', and the trade Harley and Trump just agreed to. "And here is a list of items we have interest in." Trump hands Harley another sheet. "Pleasure successfully doing business with you."
Harley's eyebrow arches steeply as she scans over the paper, and sighs irritably, foregoing the whole mess and just scrawling her name in large on a line near the bottom, handing it back to the rabbit. "Good enough f'r the lawyers, good enough for me. Nowthen, lessee what y'got here..." The feline peers at the list, arching an eyebrow. "Hmm... know a place I could get some deals f'r that... 's seven weeks off on the route yet, though..."
Trump nods as she reclaims the forms. If it works try to resist fixing it and breaking it. "Excellent.. perhaps.." And the conversation continues, chatting pleasently about places and things that might be gotten there, prehaps chatting long if tea and coffee become involved.
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geocities.com/dove_cg)