Woundwort reclines in his office chair, the telltale aroma of fine Cuban tobacco wafting through the air. Things have been pretty quiet in the Cantina lately, though a few regulars and background extras still mill about on the main lobby.
Still, the peace and quiet are welcome after the Last merc run. The good ship
Red Barchetta is now in the shop, getting an upgrade to Level 16 Tachyon Cannons.
"...and I think I've stockpiled enough to pay off the Boss, too. All in all, the Xiati Empire has been good to me. I must send them a note thanking them for making their ships such easy prey."
"Excuse me, sir, but you may not need to pay off that loan."
Woundwort starts from his reverie, and focuses on his droid flunkey.
"Sancho, have you been guzzling down that heavy-grade droid oil again? Not pay off Growltigger? Do I look suicidal to you?"
"Take a look at this, sir..."
Woundwort snatches the newspaper clipping from Sancho's mechanical hand. The headline grabs his attention like a magnetic clamp...
PHONG'S HEAD CANTINA IN CHAPTER 11
FAMOUS BEIRKELLER CLOSES DOWN
GROWLTIGGER DEPARTS FOR REGIONS UNKNOWN
Woundwort sinks back into his chair, reading the clip in disbelief, the Cuban corona smouldering in the ashtray completely forgotten.
"Does this mean... that
you're the Boss now?" Sancho asks.
Woundwort thinks on that question, long and hard. Legend has it that disputes over the ownership of Phong's Head cantinas in the past led to the destruction of entire solar systems. All the legends agree that Growltigger is not a being to be crossed. But...
closed down... Growltigger disappears...
"For the moment, Sancho, we act as if nothing has happened. Operations go on as normal. But put me in contact with a good lawyer, and get me all copies of the ownership and mortgage contracts for this place. Soon."
"Yes, sir!"
Sancho clicks his heels and departs. Woundwort restarts his cigar, renders the outer wall transparent, and stares off at the skyline of Starfury, meditating on possible futures, good and bad, over the scent of a good cigar.
[ October 21, 2003, 15:26: Message edited by: General Woundwort ]