Book 3 - The Merchant from the Depth: Chapter 9; Lounge Shorthanded

The screen turns on as the chapter title plays "Chapter - 9; Lounge Shorthanded''.

Since Jade had told them to arrive any time after 9, Yuu and Jack walked into Mostro Lounge at about 9:15.

This was their first time inside when the place was actually open, and had almost every single seat filled in, everyone was busy with something or were the customers. There was light jazz music playing just barely audible over the people talking.

Yuu thinks 'This place is hopping.' as she says to Jack "This is kind of classy." while taking everything in again. Jack nudges her side as he stays alert telling her "Remember, you're in enemy territory here. Stay sharp at all times."

They're then spotted as Floyd walks saying "Eyyy, Little shrimpy!~ Glad you could make it! I see you've got a sea urchin plus-one." With that nickname Jack shouts at Floyd "I told you not to call me that!" Although Floyd doesn't care, the noise makes Jade take notice as well.

So he walks over as well, he puts a brief hand over his chest telling them "Well, well. Thank you for coming to our establishment so promptly. Welcome to the Mostro Lounge. Is this your first time dining here?"

Jack then asks Jade "Y'know, I've been wondering since lunch… Do you have a thing for askin' questions you already know the answers to?" Jade chuckles before replying "I like to keep my bases covered."

Before telling them "Now then, if you would allow me to provide you with a rundown of our establishment…" his voice trails off for a second but they keep their eyes trained on him, which Jade happily takes as their compliment with his request. So he explains "The Mostro Lounge is a meeting place for gentlemen. Any quarrels with other dorms are verboten here. Students from all dorms are expected to abide by Octavinelle rules on the premises. We pride ourselves on providing a place for everyone to enjoy under the same set of rules. With that out of the way… How may I assist you today?"

Yuu thought about doing the Karen route and just saying she wants to speak to the manager, Azul, but decided against the joke and instead stated "I have some anemone business to discuss." Jade chuckles again as he tells them "Very well. The manager is currently meeting with another patron. Could I ask you to wait in the lounge until such time as his schedule opens up?"

He pauses before hiding a wicked smile and saying "And lest I forget, our establishment has a one-drink minimum. You must order at least a single beverage of some variety."

He then turns to a sea anemone student on his side telling them "Sea anemone, if you could take our esteemed customer's order?"

Only for it to reveal that it was Ace and Deuce he was referring to. Deuce is holding a plate of drinks as he apologizes "Sorry, I've got drinks to run." But Ace isn't as busy only wiping down a spill as he shouts, pushed over the edge by everything "You do it! We're slammed over here! You keep making us do all the work while you're just sittin' pretty over there."

Jade's face darkens as he says to the two "You're talking back to me? How impressively bold for a sea anemone."

Jade then grabs and pulls on their anemones. Which makes Ace call out "OWWW! Geez!" and Deuce shouts in pain "Quit tugging on our anemones!"

Jade's eyes wander over to Yuu and Jack as he states "Azul tasked me with instructing the new staff, so it falls to me to instill proper discipline in those who fail to respect authority." before pulling on them both again. Deuce shouts "Ow ow ow ow ow! Okay, okay! I get it!"

But it's clear that this isn't just 'discipline', it's a statement to make them even more worried or angry and therefore more irrational for whatever deal Azul is trying to make. This is exceptionally clear in the case of Deuce as he was simply in the middle of another task and therefore unavailable to complete the one just assigned by Jade.

Yuu shouts "You're going overboard here!" as she recognizes what they're doing for what it really is, a display of power.

But Jade's done with his little 'demonstration' as he turns back to them and says "Ah, but you must understand. As I just finished explaining, here in the lounge, everyone must follow our rules." Floyd carries on his brother's statement continuing with "And according to the rules, we're allowed to squeeze problem employees who don't do as they're told!"

Jack is annoyed, especially since their logic kinda makes sense. So he clicks his tongue and states "You're just makin' a show out of hazing the rookies in front of us. It's making me sick."

Floyd smiles as he asks "Is that your way of offering to take their place helpin' out around the lounge?"

Of course with their anemone's getting squeezed they saw who Jade had told them to help and recognized the two.

So with that question Ace shouts "Ooh, that's a great idea! I second that proposal! All in favor? Aye! The ayes have it! Yuu and Jack are hereby nominated temporary assistants, effective immediately!"

He didn't even allow for anyone else to say anything during that period, and was trying to force them into helping. Jack shouts at him "Hey, what're you tryin' to pull?!"

Jade smiles as he says "We're not picky, really. We'll take anyone, as long as they're willing to pull their weight."

Deuce then whispers to them "You guys wouldn't want to get kicked out of the place, right?" Ace also whispers to them begging "I'm runnin' on fumes here, and Grim's in the back, up to his eyeballs in soap from dishwashing. C'mon be a couple of pals and help us out."

Yuu then imagines Grim being used as a rag to clean the dishes, with him being a furry creature after. This almost makes her laugh but she holds it in.

Meanwhile Jack is thinking about actually helping them out. Jack says "Fine, whatever." So almost exactly when Yuu gets out of her thoughts and is done holding her laughter he turns to her and says "The sooner we wrap up our business here, the sooner I can go back to my dorm and catch a few winks."

Ace is confused at the last part, so he asks Jack "What? Dude, it's barely mine. What time do you go to bed?" Jack answers "I'm always tucked in by ten." Ace's eyes widen as he says "Whoa, we got a serious model student over here!"

Floyd then asks for confirmation "So I can put both Little Shrimpy and Sea Urchin down for helping out with a shift, yeah?" The two nod, so Floyd writes something down on a notepad of sorts as he says "Perf."

He then looks up at the two and tells them "You can start by running these drinks to table three."

As they start their 'shift' immediately. There are some mistakes, but they do rather well, generally speaking anyway.

They finally have a mini break of sorts as Jack lets out a breath of relief before saying "The crowds're finally dying down."

Floyd is kinda impressed, considering this was their first time in the lounge and they lended a decent helping hand. So he complements "You practically put that rush in a headlock and gave it a noogie! 'Preciate the helping hand, Little Shrimpy and pal."

Just then clapping is heard as Azul walks up from behind as he states "You got a veritable madhouse of customers under control. Most impressive indeed."

Of course seeing Azul triggers Jack a little as he shouts "Azul!" with some anger at him.

He ignores Jack as he tells them "My apologies for the wait. The VIP room is ready now. Right this way, if you would."

He then turns to the tweels telling them "Jade. Floyd. Get our customers some tea." The two smile and say "Right away, sir."

The screen then fades to black as "To be continued" plays on screen before it fully turns off.