Posted Feb. 18, 2023, 7:35 p.m. by Civilian Norb, of Klaxut Markets (Business Owner) (Shaun Tee)
Posted by Civilian Karilan Massat (Owner, Quill and Parchment Books) in Golden Klaxut Market - Soft Grand Opening (Open)
Posted by Civilian Norb, of Klaxut Markets (Business Owner) in Golden Klaxut Market - Soft Grand Opening (Open)
Posted by Civilian Norb, of Klaxut Markets (Business Owner) in Golden Klaxut Market - Soft Grand Opening (Open)
Posted by… suppressed (12) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The Golden Klaxut Market was shaped like a gilded egg on its end and looked roughly three or four stories tall. It felt like it had been built almost suspiciously quickly, and that’s the way Norb liked it–shock and awe the customer.(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_PYo6LOiDlLP_pI43Ofh-8C6K2sUj6LF/view)
Since his beloved great-grand grawmpee, that stingy old goat, built the very first Klaxut Market on Ferenghar, they’d sold the finest home goods and accessories across the galaxy–the gimmick was, all the items on display were holograms until the dear customer handed over the latinum.
Since taking over the company and relocating it’s corporate headquarters to Oed V, the Golden Klaxut Market was to be his pride and joy.
Inside, 2 floors of gorgeous home goods, jewelry, clothes, and accessories from Alpha Centauri to Zeta Prima, staffed by the hottest young Risans he could snipe from the paradise planets and cruising vessels.
It was to be a shopping destination, a community gathering place, an art gallery. Heck, his family lived on the top floor.
But today, he was the only one behind the counter, so to speak, for the soft grand opening. Perhaps there’d big a big official to do at some point, but for now–just Norb and the showroom.
Hopefully they’d be breaking down the doors.
Any minute now.
-Norb, Owner & CEO of Klaxut Markets
The doors opened and a Deltan walked in. They were tall and well dressed, and carried themselves with an air of quiet confidence. They looked at the displays and smiled, then looked at Norb. “This is really quite an elegant solution to displaying goods. And your holo-emitters are very good as well. Are you the proprietor?” they asked.
Karilan Masaat
Ooh, a Deltan. Looks rich, Norb thought to himself, rubbing his hands together with a little gusto. The first customer could tell a lot about how a venture would go. Rich? Rich meant good. And a sale? Even better.
“Proprietor and CEO of the Golden Klaxut Market and Klaxut Market Enterprises Incorporated, yes, thank you!” Norb said, preening for a moment. “We have been in the process of relocating our entire corporate headquarters to Oed V–various tax reasons, you know–and today, my good friend, is our soft opening. And you, my first guest. If you’d excuse me, are you a resident of our fair community?”
-Norb
A smile played across the individual’s face. “Resident, yes. Not long tenured, however. I have been here a little over a year. I, too, own a business here.” and they smiled. “No, not a competitor. I sell books and rare tomes and such. I also provide archival and technical advice on storage and displaying of such items.”
Massat
A range of emotions flickered across Norb’s lobes, briefly.
Displaying goods, Norb thought. He should have known the rich Deltan must also be a proprietor of some business. Maybe he could salvage a sale out of this anyway.
“Rare tomes? I will have to pay you a visit some time. I’m not a reader myself–Ferengi Rule of Aquisition 8: Small print leads to large risk–but my dear wife can’t get enough of the things,” Norb said, trying to be charming.
“From one business owner to another, we must discuss how we can work together and support one another! Especially since you’re not my competition. Would you like a brief tour of the Golden Klaxut?”
-Norb
“I would like that very much. Thank you. My name is Karilan Massat. I own Quill and Parchment Books. It is a pleasure, Mr…? Or is it Daimon? That would not be out of the realm of possibility with such an amazing storefront, after all.” Karilan was well-versed in dealing with Ferengi, and flattery was an absolute must regardless of what one was doing in their interactions with them.
Massat, Owner, Quill and Parchment Books
Norb cackled, rubbing his hands together. “It’s good to meetcha, Massat. Can I call you Massat or is there a specific honorific you prefer?”
“Oh, Karilan is fine. I haven’t gone by my familial name since Star Fkeet.” they said witha small smile.
“Karilan it is, then,” Norb said, smiling. It showed off his few remaining sharp teeth.
“Norb is fine with me,” he said. “As for the political matters, I leave that to other members of the Alliance. Rule of Aquisition Number 288: Never get into anything that you can’t get out of. I’m just happy being very rich.”
Norb spread out his arm in a broad sweeping gesture. “If you’re aware of our original franchise, Klaxut Markets, the Golden Klaxut is the concept at its pinnacle.”
He walked out from behind the counter and stood next to the Deltan, revealing their comic height difference of almost two feet. “As you fastidiously noticed earlier, our draw is that the customer doesn’t handle the physical merchandise until after purchase, so we rely on holo technology and warp distribution from our warehouses to help keep our footprint low.”
Norb guided the Deltan toward a reception area with seating, a replicator, and various screens and art objects.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_PqoumHmMnH5i7utP19AIxRVqVE8eaWj/view?usp=drivesdk
“This is where our concierge staff from Risa–whenever they get here, that is–will meet the customer for white gloves services and custom orders,” he said proudly. “Would you care for a tea, or a brandy, perhaps?”
-Norb
“Tea would be most appreciated. Thank you.” Karilan said with an incline of their head. “An ingenious idea, for certain. Tell me, how does your customer know that they are looking at the specific piece they will be purchasing? And how detailed are your holograms? Surely for such tastes you would need some pretty amazing level of detail.”
Massat, Owner, Quill and Parchment Books
“Ah, the tea gives me a perfect opportunity to show you,” Norb said, rubbing his hands together. He walked to the replicator and panel and pecked at the screen.
“Here’s a 1:1 holographic scan of an individual teaset we just got in stock at the warehouse Tuesday,” Norb said. “It’s a mass manufactured Bajoran piece, still lovely to look at.”
On the circular golden table, a holographic image of a modern ceramic teapot, creamer pitcher, and sugar bowl materialized.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aox-P9f_THds9aCK_Xh180GbrlWzghzn/view
“You can pick it up, touch it, within the holo field. Its image is directly tied to a micro-SKU for that item specifically.”
Norb shuffled to the replicator and ordered the pot of black tea with an accompanying creamer pitcher and sugar bowl. In a rush of light, as if a 3D printer was filling in a sketch, the teaset appeared in the holo field, steaming hot with fresh tea.
“Now, normally, I don’t ruin good merchandise for a one-time show,” Norb warned. “I’ll show this trick off with something I can restock, like a vase or a pearl earring–but you gotta admit, it is kinda fun,” Norb said, watching the Deltan’s impression.
“How do you take your tea?” the old Ferengi asked.
-Norb, Klaxut Markets
“Black, please.” Massat said, and inclined their head. They watched the demonstration and smiled. “Impressive and ingenious, Norb. I believe the residents of Oed will find your store very intriguing.”and they took a seat. “How do you handle custom orders?”
Massat, Owner, Quill and Parchment Books
Norb poured two cups of tea and handed one, black, to Massat. He heaped three spoonfuls of sugar into his cup and stirred.
“Why, thank you!” he said, his eyes glinting. “We’ve been perfecting our process since before I was born. As for custom orders, we have relationships with artisans and workshops all over the place and can work with the customer on turn-around, of course. Faster means more cost. I just hired a new Risan, Ditka, who will handle some of that, but she’s not in yet.”
He changed his tone to a sotto voice. “I hear she’s taking her bird to therapy.”
He straightened back up. “As for the tea set–I’ll tell you what? Since you’re my first guest, I’ll have it sonic scrubbed and boxed up and we’ll send you home with it. A gift from one business owner to another. Now, tell me more about yourself. How’s the book business on Oed V?”
-Norb, Klaxut Markets
Karilan inclined their head and said “I truly appreciate the offer, Norb. But to paraphrase Rule of Acquisition number fifty-nine: free is seldom cheap. So I will politely decline the gift, but I will purchase a set.” They smiled and said “If one is going to be in business, it serves one to study those who are most adept at it. In this case, I studied a great deal of the rules.” They chuckled slightly. “But business here is very good. Lots of interest and loads of paying customers. I ha e a feeling you will like it here very much.” and they sipped the tea.
Massat, Owner, Quill and Parchment Books
Ah! Norb thought, his black eyes glinting. He moved the existing tea set to a side table.
“No worries,” he said casually. We can have it scrubbed up and sell it second-hand on fleaBay. It’s Ferenghar’s second-largest virtual retailer of second hand goods, you know, and where we offload any rejects and returns.”
He handed Massat a PADD as the Deltan sipped their tea. “Let me give you the luxury of the paralysis of choice.”
From the touch screen, Norb accessed an inventory of tea sets available in their warehouses, which, when selected, would materialize on the portal for full interaction.
“Just tell me what kind of set you’d like, and I can match you with your perfect mate.”
-Norb, Golden Klaxut
Bump
“Oh, I’ll take that set. I just insist I pay for it.” Massat said. They tooka sip and then said “So what was it about Oed that drew here?”
Massat, Owner, Quill and Parchment Books
“First, it was the tax breaks. Cheaper than running a corporation on Ferenghar, let me tell you!” Norb cackled, putting down the PADD. He’d wrap the set up for Massat and get them out without paying if it was the last thing he did. “But the mines present an opportunity for growth. I’m talking about wholesale and expanding my business into manufacturing. Klaxut brand dishware. Golden Klaxut jewelry. You know. What about you? Why Oed?”
-Norb
© 1991-2024 STF. Terms of Service
Version 1.15.11
RSS Feed