Beginning Chapter One ... Two ... Three ... Four
It was in the pre-dawn darkness hours ago that I passed the statue today. It's the big day when Gork Tag and I make our presentation to the full Trade Expansion Acceptance Committee. If the committee says yes, then I've, we've, opened another multi-million dollar trade channel. Gork Tag is on the viewer as I begin my summary presentation.
"Gentlemen, it may seem a little odd that this new trade channel should be under the Agriculture section, but we are dealing with an alien race. We can't expect to interface with them soley in ways that are traditionally suited to human-human needs.
"As Gork Tag has pointed out to me time and time again. Our traditional agriculture with it's goal of producing nutritious foods is well-suited only to Terran conditions. The Traders have access to many other, many more efficient, ways of producing nutrition. Agriculture is important to us only because we've invested generations of capital and knowledge to develop it into the form we have now.
"Mr. Curio," a hand was waving in the audience, "how come the Traders haven't shared these other technologies with us?"
"I'll take this one," said Gork Tag, "The most important reason is that your nutrition-producing industries are well-suited to your needs. It is rarely easy to transfer nutrition technologies.
"The second is that if a transferred nutrition technology does prove successful, it almost always means severe social dislocations. Witness the dislocations caused just by the moving of your indigenous technologies from place to place." There were mumbles of approval in the audience.
The speaker looked around, then retreated, "None the less, Mr. Curio, this is something you should pursue further when it's appropriate."
"We are, sir, that is our main goal. In the meantime, we have come up with an area that promises immediate rewards, minimal social disruption, minimal capital investment and it should help relieve the media pressure to widen our relations."
I motion. An assistant wheels in a cart with a covered box on it. "Gentlemen, the answer to all these needs lies in this box. What we have here is an agriculture product that isn't a nutrition system. It's a pleasure system; an entertainment system with the potential for infinite variety.
"To us this commodity seems commonplace. But to our good friends, the Traders, this is an exciting concept. Gentlemen, let me show you a sample of what, with your approval, will be the newest Trader-Solar System market."
I lift the cover and reveal Bandit in a wire cage. He looks a little nervous, but I've brought him here a couple times before so he doesn't panic. Calmingly, I stroke him, then pick him up and put his throat next to the mike. Soon the drone of a deep purr fills the room.
Gork Tag speaks, "Gentlemen, this creature, a creature bred to such perfection for affection, is a significant attainment. We Traders are interested. We understand that there are several other Terran organisms that can be 'pets' as you call them. We see a market here. We have selected some organisms that we think you will enjoy as 'pets', too."
My ears fill with the applause. The exotic pet trade is about to be launched, and I will be the Director in charge. Not a bad start for a wet-behind-the-ears MBA!