A Meeting of Minds

“Damned snow!” Bolak kicked a cloud of white powder into the air before him and shook his head in disgust. “Why in all the seven hells did you bring me to a planet covered in the stuff.”

“Last I checked sir, you were in charge of the travel plans.” commented the tall willowy man who walked slowly a step behind the enraged dwarf.

“Its inhuman.” he continued, ignoring the correction from his manservant. “Surely in this day and age the stuff should be banned. Hoovered up or melted so decent folks are not forced to wade through it just to get from A to B.”

“It really isn’t that deep.” commented the manservant which earned him a sharp glare.

“Mr Mok what are you saying?” Bolak demanded.

“I am just observing that the snow is in fact not…” the glare from the dwarf intensified and Mr Mok grew suddenly silent. He drew the tip of his wide stetson down to shade his eyes and turned to study the distant horizon.

“That’s what I thought.” Bolak harrumphed and continued his battle with the snow as he approached the nearby spacecraft.

“Looks like an old Firefly.” he commented as they drew close.

“It is an old Firefly.” Mr Mok agreed.

“Well that would be why it looks like one, wouldn't it!” Bolak growled back, not taking his eyes from the ship. The cargo hatch was open but none of the crew were apparent.

“This will do nicely.” he said half to himself before looking up to his companion, “Mr Mok rouse someone please, I wish to negotiate passage.”

“Rouse someone?” Mok asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes… get someones attention and...oh forget it.” leaning in towards the open hatch he called out..”Hello in there! Anyone there? We would like to book passage!”

“I’m coming, I’m coming, keep your dang pants on.” Captain Keller grumbled. He was still dressed from the night before, his shirt half untucked, hat askance and his five o’clock shadow looking more like midnight. “RILEY!” He called. “The fuck is she, someone wants passage.” His voice echoed in the cargo bay, matching the sound inside his head. His brain, he pictured to be soggy cotton. “Riley!” He said softer.

“Passage? We have rooms,” Keller replied to the tall man. “Nice hat. Come on aboard, come on, it’s freezing out there, Oh! You’ve a little fella with you. Hi, little fella, what’s your name?”

Mr Mok quickly covered his mouth to hide a snort of amusement and Bolak peered up at the man with a tight and well practised smile.

“My name is Bolak.” the dwarf gave a slight bow, “a humble merchant seeking passage through the verse on your good ship. This…” he gestured to his companion, “...is my manservant Mr Mok.”

“I am not your manservant.” Mok hissed beneath his breath.

“Fine, fine, this is Mr Mok my personal barber.” snapped the balding merchant with a role of his eyes. He gestured then toward the open hatch where Keller stood bemused by the exchange, “shall we?”

“Well, ain’t that fancy. We travel with our own dentist, how much hair you have you gotta bring a stylist?” He asked mostly to himself. Where you fella’s headed? We got a list of Stops around here somewhere. RILEY!” he bellowed, as they crossed through the cargo bay. “High gate is the destination, stopping along the Georgia system, then we’ll head to the core. Watch yer step, watch yer step,” he warned the little fellow as they headed towards the galley. “We don’t have a booster, you want a few books to sit on? Step stool or somethin’?”

Bolak followed, listening as politely as he could as the man rambled through a task that was obviously usually performed by this Riley person who ever he was. As they approached the galley Bolak took a deep breath as the ignoramus spewed more insults and ignorance regarding his size. All of course to the immense amusement of Mr Mok. Barber was too good for the man, perhaps he should be demoted to chiropodist.

“I tend to make do with a normal chair thank you.” he answered stiffly, though truth be told a cushion or two was often an appreciated aid. “High Gate sounds like and excellent start,” he forced the bright and interested voice, “and then if things work out perhaps a few stops beyond. I am sure you have work to get back to on a busy ship like this.. If you could just let your employer know… Riley is it? That we are aboard, then we can negotiate terms at his leisure.”

Reaching into his pocket he flipped the man a silver credit as a tip. It always paid to keep the deck hands sweet, even disreputable specimens such as this one. Honestly it was a wonder they kept him on, he stank like rat piss in a stale whiskey keg and looked twice as bad. Bolak fought the urge to wrinkle his nose.

Keller pocketed the coin and took the time to re-tuck his shirt-tail. Credits were credits, “I apologize, I’m not sure what has my crew detained,” The captain made sure to overemphasize the word ‘my’ to make his point. “Captain Keller, at your service, this here is the Lunar Veil, and I’ll be happy to negotiate the terms with you myself.” Riley did it all the time. How hard could it be? “First, what size cabin are you looking for? Two singles? A double?”

“Well, I er. Captain? Captain ok then.” Bolak glanced up towards Mok who shrugged and began to study his finger nails.

“So to business,” scrambling up onto one of the galley chairs Bolak unhooked a hip flask from his belt unscrewed the top.

“We’ll share a single. Mr Mok sleeps on the floor.”

“Bad back.” the taller man explained with a grimace.

“Hair of the dog?” Bolak offered up the spirits to the Captain after taking a quick swig himself.

The Captain made what he considered his pensive, brooding face and nodded, accepting the flask and helping himself to a drink. “Don’t mind if I do, Mr. Bolak.” The alcohol was warm and left a trail from his gullet to his belly, reminding him that it’d be drinking time soon enough. “So…. “ he began as he pulled open the cortex. “As luck has it we do have a single, and you’ll be travelling with us to High gate, two passengers, any cargo? You can rent part of the deck or we can charge per cubic foot depending on how much you’re planning on bringing along. Otherwise, I’ll give you the rate for the room for two.”

“Nothing for this trip,” Bolak sighed, “I managed to offload my previous cargo back in town and fancy investing the credits elsewhere. There is not much call for snow and horseshit over in the core. Will forty credits suffice for the trip or would you prefer a more tangible currency? I think we have the platinum to cover it.” Bolak glanced up at Mr Mok who nodded the affirmative.

The Captain scratched his beard, wondering when the rut he grew a beard. A shave and a haircut was definitely in order, and forty credits up front would get him that, a night at the bar and some company in bed. “You have yourself a deal Mr. Bolak,” he said, holding out his hand for the little fellow. Welcome aboard the Lunar Veil.”

Bolak grasped the offered hand eagerly and shook. “A pleasure doing business with you.” he grinned, then turning to his companion, “Mr Mok please take the bags to our quarters.”

Mok returned a look of confusion, “We don't have any bags. We have a bag and not a whole lot in it.”

“Then go into to town and buy some gorram bags Mr Mok.” and he dismissed the man with a wave before offering the flaske to Keller for another sip.

“And some more of this!” Keller added, taking another long sip. “Mr. Bolak, I think you’re going to get on just fine with the El-Vee.”