Asami crossed her arms as Varrick began rifling through her club. There was no reason for him to be there so late at night, and she as not in the mood for any of his jokes. Of course, Varrick never go the hint, so they ended up making a pot of tea, sitting up long in the night as they spoke business.
"Varrick, Future Industries is already sky-rocketing in sales, so I don't see why you're here," Asami sipped cautiously at her tea, the heat tickling her nose as she sipped it. Varrick ignored his, playing with his lacey cuff links of a powder blue suit.
"Miss Sato, what you need is a promotion!" he said suddenly and Asami almost gagged, dropping her cup.
"What?!" she replied, widening her green eyes in shock, "Varrick, you're not my boss-"
"No, no, not like that!" he corrected her, "As in you need publicity! A stunt!" Asami looked around the club. Ever since Future Industries had become popular once more, she was able to open up a new hangout spot in Republic City- formerly one the Triple Threat Triad had destroyed while rampaging through the streets. It also helped that Lin Beifong, the city's Chief of Police, had put them behind bars. Her club was ever popular, with new customers at least once a week.
So what was Varrick talking about?
"I don't understand," Asami shook her head, "And besides, shouldn't you and Zhu-Li be on your honeymoon?" Varrick stroked his beard, curling git on his fingers.
"Yes, yes, I know," he said, "But while we're still here, I figured I'd try to strike up some sort of business." Asami held her cup, the steam rising from the beverage, her fingers burning against the surface of the metal.
"Well, Varrick-" she began, jumping as he slammed down on the table, making it wobble.
"You need to have a speakeasy!" he exclaimed, and Asami blinked.
"What is that?" Asami said, eyeing him warily as he began to jump about, creating footprints in the plush red carpeting. Candles sat in sconces on the walls, created tiny dots of shadows along the walls. Either it was too late at night, or the man had finally lost his mind, Asami assumed, watching as he began to imitate a trombone player, a saxophone, even a singer, using the spoon he had in his cup as a makeshift microphone.
"You know how alcohol was banned in the 20's?" he reminded her, and she nodded, "Well, we'll have one of them parties! Travel back in time!" Raising an eyebrow, he leaned across the table, grinning like a Chesire Cat, "Whaddya say, kid?"
Asami pursed her lips, eyeing the restaurant-like atmosphere. Tables sat in clusters, some of them booths up against a wall, others with pristine white tablecloths. Really, it looked like any other restaurant in Republic City, and for Asami, it was a side job while she allowed Zhu-Li to take over Future Industries for a while. Sighing, she lowered her head, smiling to herself.
She was probably going to regret this, but it seemed like fun; and besides, the restaurant needed some new patrons, considering how slow business was going recently.
"Alright," she heaved a sigh as Varrick pumped his fist in the air, "Where do we start? Decor?" Varrick shook his head, rubbing his chin as he looked around the posh, upscale establishment.
"Reall,y the decor is fine- tasteful, so we can probably clear up a large area for a dance floor and minibar…" he said more to himself than Asami.
"Okay, i can have staff do that," Asami said, "But-"
"Aha!" Varrick snapped his fingers, making the young woman jump, "I got it!"
"Huh?" Asami asked, slumping her shoulders.
"You need fame! You need to have celebrity guests!" Varrick said matter-of-factly, his mouth running at a mile a minute as his words began to blur.
"Like, actors?" Asami suggested. Varrick nodded.
"Yes! You know anyone?"
Asami ran her fingers through her ing black hair. Did she know anyone in the fame business? The Hollywood industry? At first no one was coming to mind.
And then she remembered her friends.
"How about Bolin and Mako?" she suggested, catching the gleam in Varrick's eye once the names left her mouth. "Both are pro-athletes, and Bolin began his acting career not too long ago, right?"
"Yes! Nuktuk: Hero Of The South- I directed that one, by the way," Varrick agreed, clapping his hands excitedly, "It'll be perfect!" He was about to say more, faltering as a thoughtful look entered his yes once again. Tea abandoned, Asami leaned forward in her chair.
"What is it?" she asked.
He shook his head, "We have publicity, now you'd need entertainment…"
There Asami was stumped. She only knew athletes and actors. No musicians or circus clowns. She slumped her shoulders, lowering her head onto the table- planning things with Varrick was tiring. How Zhu-Li puts up with him is astonishing, she thought, a she watched the man pace around, mumbling incoherent nonsense to himself.
"I've got it!" Varrick cried for the third time, "Music! You need a singer!"
"Well, where am I going to get one?" Asami said.
"Don't worry your pretty little head about it, Miss Sato, I've got it all under control!" Asami groaned as she watched Varrick take out his phone, flipping it open and barking orders as he left the restaurant.
She could only hope he was right, as she collected the cup sod now cold tea to bring to the kitchen and clean up.