video/voice.

[rathercommon]

[ This is a video that features no people: instead, what's filling the screen is artfully-arranged sweets. Lots and lots of sweets. The dragon boat races were a grand success for the restaurant Kitty works for, and so they were contracted to cater a party in exchange for work from a construction firm for an expansion of their floor space. What you're seeing is the catering before it goes out. And Kitty, whose voice is cheerful and bright and rather thickly London-accented, narrates: ]

Some of you stopped by our booth at the race the other day, so you already know, but this is what we've got to offer at Restaurant Modak. And believe me - all of this looks pretty, but that doesn't even compare to how it tastes. Forget going into a simulation or a Matrix to get the absolute height of a dining experience. This food surpasses anything you'll find out there - and it's got the added advantage of being really, absolutely real.

[ Another pass over the food. She continues. ]

Some of you might be thinking that you haven't got what you need to trade for food of this quality. How could you possibly? Well - you'll be really glad of this next bit. Our going rates are beyond reasonable. We'll even give a good meal for nothing more than a vase of flowers, a bit of sugar - or even just you helping with the washing up. Right here, on the network, you can tell me what you've got for barter and I'll tell you just what sort of meal that'll get you.

[ And then the video switches off, like a cruel tease. ]

Remember: Restaurant Modak. Reasonable prices, food so good you won't even believe it's real. All on layer forty-four.

Comments

text;

[unwrit]

[wait.]

Where did that much sugar come from?

text;

[rathercommon]

[ ...what a horrible first question. But, well, she's...not...going to lie. Sigh. ]

It's mostly synthetic. But you REALLY can't tell the difference.

[ ...okay, she is going to lie. ]

text;

[unwrit]

[Liar. Which is just a guess, but probably right.]

So the sugar in the Real isn't real.

text;

[rathercommon]

Well, it's real synthetic. So in a way of thinking, yeah, it's totally real.

text;

[unwrit]

Yeah.

Great sales pitch.

text;

[rathercommon]

[ Eurgh, how irritating. ]

A skilled baker can work with synthetic sugar. And our chef's the best in all of Zion, you know. Without exception.

text;

[unwrit]

Too bad that's not a better boast.

anonymous text;

[nightride]

mo...?

text, unanon forever

[rathercommon]

[ She frowns a little at the anonymity, but, well...It's like like she's not been anonymous before. ]

Modak. Named after a little bun filled with sweet coconut. They're REALLY good.

[nightride]

where do modaks come from?
(besides your oven.)

[rathercommon]

(Steamer, actually!)

And I think they're originally from India? That's where chef is from, anyway, in his Matrix. I can ask to make sure.

[nightride]

thanks.
was there a little pie at the beginning of your message, or is that wishful thinking on my part?

[rathercommon]

Good eye. Thumbprint tarts, is what he calls them - we've got lemon and cherry, but if you've got some other flavor you'd like...

And yeah, apparently they're a specialty in the south of India especially. He says that they're traditionally the favorite treat of the god Gunesha.

[ex_spins462]

[ It reminds Natasha with a pang of Ellie, cramming her face with sweets and filling up her shirt with more for later. ]

How long does it last?

[rathercommon]

[ She tilts her head slightly to the side, trying to pull apart this latest text. The people on the network tend to be...odd. To her way of thinking. It takes effort to understand them, and to make herself understood.

Weirdly, she sort of likes that. Maybe because it's such a keen reminder of how her circumstances have changed. ]

How long does what last? The food?

[ex_spins462]

The food. If I kept it in a container or something.

[rathercommon]

[ Oh. What a sensible question. She nods with approval. ]

Most of it we keep it for up to three days. But I expect it'd last a little longer - it's just that we throw it out when it passes its peak.

[ex_spins462]

You throw it out?

[rathercommon]

Give away what we can, throw out what we can't. Yeah. Mostly us workers end up taking it home.

text;

[halatinous]

what have you got for drinks

text;

[rathercommon]

We've got the best coffee in the whole of Zion.

[halatinous]

that's it?

[rathercommon]

Usually that's enough - people get excited about that. We've also got tea, and we're looking into getting a machine that'll carbonate water so that we can do homemade soda pop.

[halatinous]

do you have anything that is not for children

[rathercommon]

[ Oh, duh. ]

We've not got any regular channels for getting alcohol, but we've got some beers and wines that we'll be happy to pour you. And if there's a big demand, we can see about getting a bit more variety.