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;

[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.

[halatinous]

oh there will be a demand

[rathercommon]

[ This guy's so weird. ]

Brilliant. What do you like? I'll see if we can't get a hold of it.

[halatinous]

[THESE ARE VALID CONERNS.]
wine, red

[rathercommon]

Oh, high-class. What sort of wine? Sweet? Dry?

[halatinous]

[yep, all that squatting in hightown really made him into a gentleman.]

as dry as you're able to find

[rathercommon]

We can do that, definitely. I just checked in, and chef says he does know someone who can get you a something-or-other French-sounding, I'll learn to spell it before you come in. What have you got for trade?

[halatinous]

[what's france]
i'll work

[rathercommon]

What can you do?

[halatinous]

what do you need done

[rathercommon]

Well, it does depend on what you can do for us. Are you smart? Strong?

[halatinous]

[There's a little time delay; about ten minutes.]

strong enough to wash a dish

[rathercommon]

[ She wonders about that delay. Well - ]

Strong enough to help move some of our equipment around?

[halatinous]

yes

i can handle that

[rathercommon]

Brilliant. When'll you be by?

[halatinous]

this evening, though i cannot be there all the time. missions take priority. but i will help as often as i can.

[rathercommon]

[ ...oh? ]

Missions?

[halatinous]

i'm part of a crew.

[rathercommon]

[ Oh. ]

Really! What do you do for them?

[halatinous]

i'm an operative, on the atalanta. we haven't had a mission yet. i expect it will involve excursions back into the matrix. rescuing people. hurting others. that sort of thing.