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So, I have an idea. About something we can do here.

Sort of like a job, but not really.

Edited 2021-05-30 01:43 (UTC)

Okay.

In what way is it not like a job?

You make money from a job.

There is no money here, nor do we appear to need it.

But I'm bored, Patrick.
And they have no celebrity biographies to read on this spaceship.
How?

I guess it's harder to get the latest updates on Brangelina fifty million lightyears from home.

[ Is Brangelina still a thing? He's trying, okay. ]

Tell me about this idea that's sort of like a job.

Oh? My god?
Did someone put you in a time capsule with the rest of 2005?

Anyway, your lack of pop culture literacy aside...

Okay.

[ But god, where is he supposed to start? Getting the ideas comes easily to David, it's making them make sense to others that's the tricky part. ]

So you know how all we have to wear are these awful, impersonal jumpsuits? And the toiletries, etc. are all the same spaceship issue... everything?

Yeah, I've noticed.

[ He also doesn't see how David's going to source cashmere sweaters or local artisanal body milk in outer space, but he's willing to ride along and see where this goes. ]

I take it you have an idea on how to change that.

Well...
We're stopping at amazing, ridiculous places all the time.
Places with actual, like, amenities.

And with live in this traveling cosmetics case with like, so many [ he has no idea how many ] people.

Surely some of them have like... marketable skills?
Or can do or make things other people need?

Sure, probably.

But...there aren't farms here. Or any kind of...raw materials.

[ At least, not that he's aware of. ]

What kind of things are you hoping people living here can make?

Um, I know?
I'm not saying the quality or the merchandise will be the same.

But if we make the most of our stops, we could...
I don't know.
Find out what people need and get it for them?
And fill out the rest of the stock with stuff we pick up on the other planets.

[ It still feels weird to say 'other planets' and by we David definitely means me. ]

I guess we'd have to ask?

I'm just saying, maybe we're living with a manicurist and no one knows.

[ David's powers of explanation haven't improved much since he'd first come to Ray's office and announced his intention to open a general store that's also a very specific store. But Patrick thinks he's starting to get it, anyway. ]

So we're sourcing the materials, plus other stuff to trade?

We'll have to figure out how to front the initial cost.

But I like it.

Yes.

[ What would he do without Patrick to clarify what he means? It's a relief to hear the translation come back to him and make sense. ]

You do?

Yeah, I do.

[ David may doubt himself plenty, but he's always had good business ideas. ]

We can ask Perseus if there's a chance we can use some of the storage space. Maybe even open up a little storefront? Um...trading post?

Otherwise it should be easy enough to list all the inventory on the network. Let people browse on their devices and put in orders.

[ As usual, that confirmation is all it takes for David's self-confidence to double, and Patrick offering solid suggestions only buoys him more. ]

Yes!

Okay, yes, that's just what I was thinking.
It wouldn't need to be big, especially at first.

In fact, the smaller, the better. It'll be more exclusive and create interest.

Don't be too exclusive. You don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

[ The population on the ship just isn't big enough to risk alienating anyone. On the other hand, he doesn't want David to bite off more than he can chew. ]

But starting small is probably good.

It's cute when you worry about other people. :)

But no, I was thinking more like, one product or service per person, at least to start.
So they contribute only their best.

It's not like these people have been spoiled for choices, they'll barter for what we give them.

[ Ignoring that. Thinking about other people's feelings isn't cute, it's just polite!! ]

I see.

I'm glad you have this all thought out.

I can't tell if you're joking.

Actually, I don't think you are.
That comment wasn't snippy enough.

Because we know how you get when I come to you without details.