By: Daiyu Tang
The season of spookiness was well upon us when I was sent an e-mail from Estelle, the owner of the Gein Restaurant in Hathian. Having worked there a long time ago I have some fond recollection of Jessica, Jenny and the other key staff that used to make it a fun place to work. I’m slightly less fond of John the Fry Cook, but as he’s almost like a computer game character with his one dimensional hate of all things social, he kinda doesn’t matter.
Anyway, Estelle wanted me to swing by where I was confronted with evidence that her note (reproduced below) was really taking effect. She kindly agreed to speak to me, but also we were graced with the presence of HPD Officer Ho, who was subject to the new tax that Estelle had put in place, dubbed the ‘Blue Tax‘.
With signage on display across the establishment, it was clear that a previous perk enjoyed by Muni workers (but I feel especially the HPD) has now been removed. I wanted to find out more, but first Estelle was fine with me sharing this letter.
The Gein ‘Blue Tax’
In effect, while Gein prices have gone up there is an additional 20% mark-up for Muni workers to help fund some free food or other benefits for the marginalised groups in Hathian. I spoke with Estelle for a little more information. After some preamble and a pretty delicious slurp of a Pumpkin Spite milkshake, I got onto news business. In fact there were two matters, an attack on Estelle by some apparently crazed woman who was now stalking her and then the change in pricing.
The matter of the attacks warrants a specific article as it touches on HGH, Doctors that might be slightly out of control and a psychiatric care system that (as many know) is defunct in Hathian. Suffice to say poor Estelle was bearing quite a few scars and marks on her that were possibly attributed to this story, but anyway, that will come in another article.
Daiyu Tang (DT): “So I’m here to dig into what your e-mail was about regarding prices and changes that impact Muni workers…”
Estelle Brianna (EB): “Now the prices. You’ve read my open letter, the reasons are just there. I am trying to survive myself, and I am trying to help to survive my staff and my patrons. There were times when we were able to offer free meals for the munies. Sadly that came to an end. And I do hope hat they will join me in sort of funding me so I can still be helping those in need. Some of them have been leaving tips for… suspended meals. If anyone comes here, can’t afford a meal, but their pride doesn’t let them have a free meal, I am paying for it from that jar. So I suppose the so called ‘blue tax’ will be a bigger ‘suspended meals jar’.”
Now reader, Estelle talks a good talk and it was a sensible and reasonable thing to do. Muni workers earn a decent wage over many of us in Hathian so asking them to socially fund a few free meals to the Nightmen or those of that variety isn’t a bad thing. I just got the impression that Estelle was quite *happy* to be charging them a bit more and also making a bit of noise about it.
DT: “Ok, so it’s not really a tax for being a muni worker, it’s just paying back a bit to society?”
There was a nod and a smile and I think I was clear on everything and perhaps you are as well reader and if you weren’t HPD Officer Ho, sporting her not at all FAFO completely green outfit appeared for lunch or refreshment. Besides from also being the one who started stuff in the recent HGH incident by deeming Ice-Cream delivery a threat to Captain Heckler’s life, Officer Ho doesn’t appear to have much appreciation for the dangers of Hathian, as noted below.
EB: “Good afternoon officer, before you place your order, I have to inform you that in order to support our community and help the people of Hathian to fight against increasing prices, I had to add a 20% markup to the menu. And while regular citizens won’t be asked to pay this extra ‘blue tax’, I am hoping the munies will join my initiative and will be willing to pay extra 20%, so I am able to use it to sponsor meals for those who struggle.”
Officer Ho (OH): “I– Y-yeah, I’m more than happy to help.”
It must be said that Officer Ho is not what you might say ‘typical’ of HPD and while she clearly has some issues about her, for what it’s worth this newspaper (and me personally) would prefer that she was left to try and do good in town, rather than brutalised which will make her like many others. Anyway...
With the HGH strikes and all the other issues going on, I, dear reader, can’t help but feel this is all part of a wider plot and development where bricks are bricks are taken out from a giant Jenga tower… one day it’ll topple. Hopefully most of us will escape.
