Stardate, oh wait, that’s pajama boy talk.
“There I was, taking a team of spec ops into Cardasian Territory, when one of these guys handed me his hat. Said I should keep it for good luck,” Flipper told the eagerly listening crowd, as he opened up his briefcase and produced his famed “Lucky Hat.” The ohs and ahs from the surrounding onlookers was enough to make me want to Rommie; Quark was having a hard time suppressing a laugh.
A pint of Guinness and two fingers of Tribble Sweat was enough to loosen my tongue and that was my downfall.
“Hey, Flipper, when did you say you did this mission?” I asked.
Flipper looked over at me and responded, “Good to see you, Kahuna. Long time, no see. Pick up any new goodies from the Duras Sisters?”
He dodged my question. Probably because he didn’t want to go into the “Christmas on Bajor” story again. He’s been nailed on that too many times to count, yet, somehow, he still gets away with this load of hooey. Oh, well.
Quark butted in, “I hear the Duras Sisters have a new line of Ripple Rangers ready. Something targeted for surfers of Gremmie’s caliber. Have you tried them out yet?”
“No,” said Flipper. “How about it, Kahuna? Think they’re any good?”
“Well, the Duras Sisters always turn out quality product. You should take a few out for a test drive, so to speak,” I suggested.
“Good idea, Kahuna. I’ll take you up on that. Care to join me for a test?”
That invitation caught me off guard. I had to think of something pretty quick.
Unfortunately, Quark intervened. “I think that’s a marvelous idea. Kahuna can probably even arrange product endorsements for it. I’m sure Lursa would like that.”
“Well, maybe they’d like me to endorse it as well,” said Flipper, puffing his chest up at the thought of me getting all the fame and glory.
Quark continued, picking up on the new thread, “why, that’s inspirational. Kahuna can provide commentary to your test driving the new line Ripple Rangers, and then cut to you providing the product endorsement.”
“Hmm…”
I could see the bits of data flipping between binary positions as the logic of this hit Flippers, firing off the synapses of his brain.
“I think that is absolutely inspirational,” Flipper finally concluded.
I looked at Quark, signaled for another round of Guinness and Tribble Sweat. When Quark sidled up to me, I whispered, “thanks a bloody lot,” to him.
“Least I could do for my favorite customer.”
“A little late to butter me up, isn’t it?’
“I was referring to Flipper.” Quark leaned in close, and in a whisper, said, “besides, think of all the great vid you can get of Flipper, displaying what a poser he really is.”
I grinned at that, finally realizing what Quark was plan. By Kahless, he is truly devious. I lifted my pint of Guinness in a toast to Quark, and downed it in one mighty gulp. This should be fun.
Kahuna out.
