50 Credits is 50 Credits

by Hidden Terminal

A short comedy about Harrot, the quirky Elcor shopkeeper and his wife, and their annual trips to the Omega Asteroid Fair. This short story was adapted by a classic American bar tale, and tailored to fit perfectly into the Mass Effect universe.

The Elcor Shopkeeper, Harrot, and his wife Esther have made a habit of going to Omega's Annual Asteroid Fair every year, and every year Harrot would say, 'Enthusiastically: Esther, I would like to ride in that fancy Sport Frigate.' Esther always replied, 'Remorsefully: I know Harrot, but the Frigate ride is 50 credits, and 50 credits is 50 credits.'

One year Esther and Harrot went to the fair, and Harrot said, 'Annoyed: Esther I'm 185 years old. If I don't ride that Frigate now, I might never get another chance.' Esther replied, 'Remorsefully: Harrot, the Frigate ride is 50 credits and 50 credits is 50 credits.' The owner, a Volus Sand Merchant, overheard the couple and said, 'Folks (psss-shhh) I'll make you a deal. I'll take the (psss-shhh) both of you for a ride; if you can stay quiet for the entire (psss-shhh) ride and not say a word I won't charge you! But if you (psss-shhh) say one word, it's 50 credits.'

Harrot and Esther agreed, and out into space they went. The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his dare devil tricks over and over again, but still not a word. When they landed, the pilot turned to Harrot and said, 'Impressive! This one did everything it could to get the Dekuuna-clan to yell out, but the Dekuuna-clan did not!'

Harrot replied, 'Smugly: I almost said something when Esther was sucked out of the air lock, but 50 credits is 50 credits!'