Eros Ascending: Book 1 of Tales of the Velvet Comet Read Online Free PDF Page B

to entice a customer if the need arose.
    “That large structure down toward the other end of the Mall—toward the Home,” he said, pointing.
    “Is that where the most of the ships dock?”
    She nodded. “That's the main airlock.”
    “They really do have to exercise sales resistance on the way to the Resort, don't they?”
    “And on their way back out,” she added.
    “And what's on the other side of the airlock?”
    “Storage rooms, food freezers, laundry facilities, a small hospital, things of that nature.”
    “A hospital?” he repeated, surprised. “Just how many sick people are there around here?”
    “Very few. But given the nature of our clientele, if they should become ill they require the finest medical care available until they can be moved.”
    “By the way,” he said, as the Leather Madonna nodded a friendly greeting to a nearby couple, “I thought I saw a shuttlecraft leaving the Comet as I was approaching yesterday. I assume you use it to transport patrons from Charlemagne?”
    “That's right—though Charlemagne provides us with no more than fifteen percent of our business these days. If we could install some form of FTL motive power in the Comet , so that we weren't stuck in orbit around Charlemagne, I think we could encourage a real bidding war for our services.” She watched him out of the corner of her eye for a reaction.
    “Deluros to the contrary, most Republic worlds would pay through the nose if we'd agree to take up orbit around them.”
    “It's a thought,” he said noncommittally.
    “If the Syndicate would spring loose the money to take us away from Charlemagne, it would be more than a thought,” she persisted. “It would be a very profitable reality.”
    He smiled. “I don't know how much clout you think I've got, but I have a feeling you're overestimating it.”
    “I guess so,” she said. “Anyway, it would work,” she concluded stubbornly.
    “Probably.” He stepped off the slidewalk.
    “What's the matter?” she asked, following him.
    “ I just want to stop here for a minute,” he said, entering a surprisingly crowded tobacco shop. “I'm running short of cigars.”
    He made his purchase while she remained outside, then rejoined her.
    “I may go broke before the tour is over,” he remarked, transferring the cigar box to the same hand that was holding the book.
    “It's a nasty habit anyway,” she commented as they once again got on the sidewalk.
    “It's nasty habits that keep most people in business.”
    “Then how fortunate it is for me that there are so many people like you,” she said with a smile.
    He laughed and they fell to discussing books again until he saw an elderly couple going into a furrier that specialized in the skins of alien animals.
    “Which one of them is the prostitute?” he asked, genuinely puzzled.
    “Neither,” answered the Madonna. “They're a married couple from one of the Capellan colonies. I think they made their money in mining. Anyway, they come here once every three months, shop their way up to the reception foyer, part company for a week, and then shop their way back to their ship.” She looked fondly at them through the display window, and smiled when the man waved to her. “I think they're adorable.”
    “Unusual, anyway,” said Redwine.
    They rode the short distance to the ornate reception foyer, which was relatively uncrowded. Two men and five women, none of them employees, sat in large, comfortable leather chairs, reading the latest stock quotations from the main Republic markets on a number of small computer screens, and a handful of other patrons and prostitutes sat in pairs, conversing quietly.
    “How do you spot gate-crashers when this place is packed?” asked Redwine.
    “They never get this far,” replied the Leather Madonna.
    “Except for the casino, all the financial arrangements are taken care of before our patrons arrive.
    Once the payment has been transferred to our account, each patron is given a