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[jacksonian]

[ It's Mark again. Remember him? He used to go by "Peter"? Clone of Miles Vorkosigan? Facetwin of Hermann Gottlieb? Anyway, he is looking a bit less like Miles today, because Mark has put on a bit of weight. He's chubbier-cheeked and jowlier, heavier-featured. Plus his hair is slicked back in a way Miles never does his hair. Basically, he is working hard to look like himself and no one else. ]

It seems we're all in need of a bit of leisure time. That's why, on July 10th, I've rented out a corporate skybox at a Washington Senators baseball game, for use of imPorts and a few local businesspeople.

[ He leans forward, and types a bit, and the video is taken over briefly by an interactive, dynamic image of the skybox he's renting, highlighting its various features. ]

The box is located on the third base line, with an excellent view of the whole field. It'll have buffet-style catering - [ Very important, as far as Mark is concerned. ] An open bar with an in-box bartender, a private restroom, in-suite pool table, and cushioned reclining seats. Completely air conditioned, so you can watch the game in comfort as well as style. And there might even be a chance to meet some of the players themselves at an exclusive post-game autograph session.

[ And the graphic switches to a panning video of a super "trendy, cool" party bus. This kid has like no taste. At all. ]

As if that's not enough, I've also chartered a bus between De Chima and the stadium. This chartered bus is the height of luxury, with reclining seats, mood lighting, and an in-bus drink and snack service. It'll leave from the De Chima imPort housing a few hours before the game.

[ And then the video switches back to him. He offers the camera a rather oily businessman smile. ]

And here's the part you might like best - it's free to imPorts. The only cost to you will be the money you bring to tip the bartender and bus driver, and the cost of the souvenirs you might want to buy to commemorate this evening. Courtesy of my full-service investment firm, PKE. Remember that PKE is available for all your investment needs, both short-term and long-term. If you're looking for luxury and executive treatment, invest PKE.

[ What he is not mentioning, of course, is that this is not exactly a charity endeavor: those "local businesspeople" he mentioned are actually people who are paying $2500 a head for the privilege of schmoozing with imPorts. But, hey, who cares! Everybody wins, right...? ]

Comments

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[brushoff]

I thought I was the one who would take you to a baseball game! [ this is Dorian teasing, with an expression that's 100% "I am teasing the shit out of you" ]

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[jacksonian]

[ Mark offers Dorian a smile - a real smile, too, a bit hesitant and awkward but not remotely oily or fake. ]

I thought this sounded a bit better. You're coming, right?

[suldreen]

Are you actually rich here?

[ She's been living in a world where everyone's rich for so long that going back to having limited resources is sort of a shock. ]

[jacksonian]

[ He gives an arrogant little wave of his hand - but his manner turns a little kinder, less smug and more genuine, as he talks to her. He's nicer to kids. ]

I do all right for myself. Some people from my world had some tech on them when they arrived, which they sold for a nice profit, and then I was able to invest that profit. And I'm very good at investing.

[ghemnotgem]

Why is there a pool table? Shouldn't one be paying attention to the game itself?

[jacksonian]

[ oh tej oh beautiful glorious tej why is your face so amazing, be still his beating heart ]

I guess baseball is sort of boring.

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[aggressiveapathy]

So. Baseball's a universal thing, huh.

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[jacksonian]

[ Oh. The scary girl. The scary girl who Mark actually sort of likes. He shakes his head. ]

We don't have it where I'm from, if that's what you mean. I just thought it sounded like something people might like to do.

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[dendarii]

... What's baseball, again?

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[jacksonian]

Oh. It's the game with the stick and the ball.

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[fullmetalbrat]

You really went all out, didn't you? But...how the hell do you fit a pool on a table?

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[jacksonian]

[ A little low laugh. ]

Pool is a game. It's a table that's used for a game of pool.

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[bindsthedead]

Well, that's one way to advertise- you've certainly gone all out.

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[jacksonian]

It's a good way to raise our profile.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Seriously? There's a team called the Washington Senators? Who are they playing? Capital Congressmen?

Why does this just sound like a trap?

[jacksonian]

[ His lips tighten into a frown. Heee doesn't want to really be reminded of his back-stabbing ways. ]

It's not a trap.

[instars]

Well.

You've gotten fat.

[jacksonian]

[ w o W

He pokes self-consciously at his burgeoning double-chin, and hunches his shoulders a bit, and shrugs. ]

Who are you?

[dendarii]

[ Normally Miles would keep a polite distance, given that he's one of Saya's fucks here and not the other way around, but... really. Picking on his brother. ]

... I see you've met my brother?

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[failureisntachoice]

You had me at open bar, but what's the catch here?

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[jacksonian]

Catch? It's advertising for the business.

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[amadaman]

Do the people who go to boxes like that even watch the sport?

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[jacksonian]

[ A shrug. ]

Parts of it. That counts.

[heart_wrenching]

[ It takes a long blinky moment of Winry peering into the camera responds. ]

Huh? Mark? Your hair looks cool like that.

[jacksonian]

[ he is NEVER DOING HIS HAIR ANY OTHER WAY EVER AGAIN. ]

Like this? I barely put any time into it.

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[protects_the_small]

[Look, she heard 'baseball', but this does not seem like the BASEBALL she has been learning]

And what do you get out of it?

[Suspicious much?]

[video]

[jacksonian]

[ Uhhhh. Oh, hi, Kel. Pardon him while he pees himself, because he's scared of you. Indeed, he sounds defensive when he replies: ]

I'm - I'm not getting anything out of it.

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[homerunning]

[Junpei is caught in a mixture of 'fucking sweet' and 'what the fuck'

Believe him. It's a very strange combo.]


W-Why is there a pool table in the skybox, dude. Is this how rich people watch sports?


[On on hand, an actual bathroom not 50 miles away. On the other? THIS.]

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[jacksonian]

For the boring parts of the game. Aren't there boring parts?

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[shifting]

I think I'll have to set aside some time to be there. It's been forever since I've seen a baseball game. This must've been hell for you to set up too, you really go all out for some advertisin'.

[and as one businessman to another Sam suspects there's probably something more to it - maybe publicity, pictures of the imPorts taken while they're at the game, who knows - but hey, business is business.

Speaking of which.]

I'm sure you'll be busy managing it all while you're there, but I'd like to set up another time to talk with you when you get the chance.

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[jacksonian]

[ He nods in acknowledgment - yeah, it had been a lot of work - and then perks up when Sam mentions another time. ]

Are you moving forward with your own business plans?