Duchess Satine and the Council of Neutral Systems

"From what I hear, this food is delicious to its tasty core," said Senator Orn Free Taa eagerly, as he and his companions, Senator Kin Robb, Senator Onaconda Farr, and Senator Tal Merrik took a seat at one of the larger tables in the local McDonald's restaurant.

"It is nice to have something that's guaranteed to be fresh and tasty and fast," commented Ono, Senator Farr's nickname.

"All the same," said Kin, "I'm going to have to watch what I eat; you know I always like to keep a trim figure, that's why I'm having something small."

"I noticed," remarked Merrik, "You got the standard Hamburger, a side salad, and Premium Roast Coffee. I have no doubt you'll stay thin with that kind of food."

"Look who's talking," Kin shot back, "You're eating a Premium Caesar Salad with Crispy Chicken, no side dish at all, and a cup of orange juice."

"That's because I am a vegetarian, Senator Robb," Merrik said proudly, "Remember? I don't like conflict of any kind, and that means I can't even bear to see animals hunted for food, let alone sport."

"I have no doubt that we'll all be satisfied with what we got for ourselves," said a voice next to them. Duchess Satine Kryze sat down at the table with her own tray of lunch. She had ordered some Chicken McNuggets, small fries, and a McCafé Mocha to drink. Some of her companions wondered how a pacifist like her could want to eat any meat, or salted chips that were meant to go with meat. Kin Robb asked Satine about that.

"Just because I'm a pacifist, doesn't mean I'm unwilling to eat meat sometimes," replied Satine, "I'm not like Tal Merrik, who seems almost like a zealot when it comes to peace, though I mean no offense, Senator Merrik; even if this food isn't altogether healthy, I don't mind eating some of it from time to time. I really do like the McNuggets, the Mocha is good, too, and even the fries are tasty, if a little over-salted, maybe."

"Well, these Fish McBites are surely the best rapidly-prepared seafood I have had in ages, or so it seems, at least," said Ono, as he daintily ate the little fish meat, which was slightly tricky to do what with his round, fish-like mouth.

Senator Taa was clearly enjoying his food the most; being the corpulent Twi'lek man he was, he was stuffing his face with two helpings of a meal rather than one like everybody else. He had ordered two Daily Doubles, Premium Chicken Breast Strips, a large fries, and a refillable Coca-Cola for a beverage. Some of the other customers turned and shuddered with disgust as he chowed down noisily, and a little messily, on his Daily Doubles.

"Uh, Senator Taa," said Kin, who looked like she was turning a little green, "could you please eat a little quieter and neater? People are starting to stare, and I think I might be losing my appetite."

"Oh, sorry, senators," he said, wiping his mouth with his third napkin. Satine had advised him to get plenty of them for himself. "I forgot we are eating in public."

Satine stared at him. "You mean that in private, your manners are a lot less desirable than this?" she asked, a little more bluntly than she intended to.

"Not necessarily," said Taa after swallowing a bite, "I just like to have fun eating whenever I can, and I often do that when I eat in private. It's a Twi'lek's thing, you could say."

Satine continued to stare for a second. "Well, all I can say to that is, I'm glad Senator Robb noticed your bad manners before I did, or I would have lost my appetite even quicker than she is."

"But I was right about one thing, though," said Taa, "This is delicious. The Daily Doubles are a very adventurous meal for me, and I could eat these fries all day. Maybe next time I'll have a Big Mac or two. That should hit the spot."

They continued to eat their meal, mostly in silence. Occasionally, someone would comment on the quality of the burgers, the fries, or Merrik's salad, but not much else. When they finally finished, Satine offered to treat them all to a McDonald's dessert. They accepted.

Satine ordered for herself a vanilla cone. Kin had a strawberry sundae. Merrik had a baked apple pie. Ono tried eating some soft baked chocolate chip cookies, and Taa had a big McFlurry with M&M's.

"These cones are the best part of this meal, I think," remarked Satine as she nibbled her vanilla ice cream. "The vanilla tastes surprisingly real; I hope it is real."

"I'm not sure if I'll be coming back here often," said Ono, "I find this food a little awkward to eat for my mouth, even these cookies, even though they do taste good."

"Well, this apple pie is certainly better than any dessert I ever had on Kalevala," said Merrik, "Maybe I should try to convince the people there to start serving food like this."

"I wish," said Kin, "This sundae is adequate for me, too. I almost ordered the Fruit N' Yogurt Parfait, but then I decided I don't have to try that hard to keep trim and fit."

"I couldn't agree more, senator," said Taa, who was eating his McFlurry as if it were a whole quart of ice cream. "Ooh, I'm going to need another one of these soon. Can I get another one, Duchess Satine?"

Kin Robb rolled her eyes in exasperation. Satine and the others merely chuckled. "I'll see what I can do, senator," she said. Kin moaned.