Chapter 19: Azul's Tsum II
In the Interior Hallway, Azul, along with his Tsum counterpart and Floyd are heading to a specific room.
Azul says to the Tsum, "It's time for your next evaluation, Tsum. Shall we be off?"
The Tsum jumps up and down for joy.
Azul smiles, "Still full of energy, I see. That's the spirit!"
"Ahh, Sea Snake made a good lunch," Floyd says with a smile. He then asks, "So, where we goin' now?"
"You'll see," Azul says.
The group continues on and soon reaches the destination.
"Come, Tsum, we're here," Azul says and opens the door, "After you."
The Azul Tsum and Floyd walk into the room, and Azul follows from behind.
Confused, Floyd asks, "...A classroom? What, are you gonna give the Tsum a test?"
"No. This is actually the room the Board Game Club uses for its gaming," Azul clarifies, "The three of us will be playing a board game called Business Magic. It's to gauge the tsum's decision-making skills and drive to make money."
The Tsum looks at the boardgame, taking an interest, or not.
"Is a board game really gonna tell you all that?" Floyd questions.
Azul explains, "Business Magic is a type of management strategy game, you see. You roll the dice and draw the corresponding number of cards, then compete for the highest total assets via certain actions. These include starting businesses, developing and improving products, advertising, IPOs, and even buyouts and the like."
The Tsum jumps up and down.
Azul says, "I knew a Tsum that takes after me would catch on quickly enough. The ability to buy out other businesses means, in effect, that you can buy out other players' entire enterprises. If you're not careful, you can go down a slippery slope and wind up losing everything. It's a cutthroat game. If the Tsum wants to earn money, it will put forth a greater effort to amass a greater number of total assets."
"So basically, we're playin' like normal? Okay, let's get this over with," Floyd says, not very entertained.
"At least you're being proactive about it. All right, then let's—" Azul says.
But then Floyd says, "Ooh, I've got an idea. Since this is a competitive game, how's about we think up a dare for the loser?"
"Are you sure?" Azul questions, "I have ample experience with this game, you know... Not that I'll stop you from signing up for punishment, of course," and has a comparative look.
"Hey, don't go assumin' I'll lose right out the gate," Floyd says, and looks at the Tsum, "Through it WOULD be pretty boring watching a Tsum act out a dare."
The Tsum however, looks at Floyd.
Floyd crosses his arms with a frown, "What's your problem, Tsum? You got a feisty look in your eyes. Think you can beat me?"
"Heh. It seems we're all playing to win. Very well—let's make the most of this competition," Azul says.
The Tsum is also eager to do so.
"You sure like talkin' big," Floyd says in remark, "Hope you're ready to eat those words once you lose."
"And I hope the same for you. Game on!" Azul says.
Sometime later, the gang continues the game. The Tsum then rolls the dice.
Floyd says, "And the tsum's dice comes up...six! Yo, NICE. Your company's market cap just topped over 30 million thaumarks."
"Hmm…" Azul replies, thinking.
More time has passed, and the Tsum rolls the dice again.
"Dang, you got another six. You're on a roll. Let's see…" Floyd says and looks at the card, "It says, 'Business is booming! Financial performance up two million thaumarks.'"
"Mmhm, yes…" Azul replies.
Floyd turns to Azul, "Dude, what's up with the tepid reactions? I thought you'd be getting all salty about this."
"What? I'm hardly anything of the sort! I was just reflecting on how much fun Business Magic is," Azul says.
"Uh-huh. Well, you better start tryin', 'cuz right now me 'n the Tsum are stomping all over you," Floyd says.
Azul and the Tsum turn to each other and show calm expressions.
"...Heh," Azul responds.
He notices that Azul and his Tsum are looking at each other.
Confused, Floyd asks, "What? Why're you two tradin' glances?"
"Now that the game is well underway, I'd like to enter into a partnership with another player," Azul says.
"Who would the guy in last place get a partnership with? 'Cuz it definitely won't be me," Floyd says.
"Who indeed?" Azul responds. Then turns to the Tsum, "What do you say, Tsum? Would you like to partner up with me?"
The Tsum nods in response.
"Heh. I knew you'd appreciate the offer," Azul says.
Floyd soon asks, "Huh? Why?"
"The way it's using a dice-rolling technique to produce consistent sixes and continually expanding its business…" Azul says, "After observing that, I'm positive that it takes after me in thought process as well as in looks. Hence, I've been continually expanding my market with no regard for profits, on the assumption we'll collaborate. That way we can both grow more efficiently."
"Whoa, that's your play?!" Floyd responds, shocked. He then smiles, " ...Oh man, this is gettin' good."
Azul then turns to his Tsum "Let us join forces, Tsum! Together, we shall expand our business and devour Floyd's!"
The Azul Tsum eagerly hops up and down in response, meaning it's agreeing to the partnership.
Time has passed, and it's practically the end of the game.
"Welp, we've reached the goal. What's the final tally?" Floyd replies.
"You appear to be in last place, Floyd. Oh, what a shame. You were doing so well at the start!" Azul says.
"Okay, but something' was up there," Floyd says, "Was it just me, or did your goal change to ganging up on me halfway in?"
"Hardly," Azul says, "If I truly wanted to crush you, I would have bought out your business right at the beginning of the game." Then turns to the Tsum, "Now, which of us is the winner...? Ah, it appears to be me by a very slim margin. My advertising focus paid dividends."
The Azul Tsum flinches in response, "But that was a fine game. Let's play another."
The Tsum jumps happily in response.
Floyd groans in frustration, "Uuugh, I'm tired. Are you still goin'? Seems to me like you're more interested in havin' fun at this point. And you 'n your look alike have hit it off. It's like there're two Azuls now."
Azul smiles and asks the Tsum, "What do you think of this for our next round, Tsum? It's a business simulation game I enjoy very much…"
The Tsum happily jumps up and down in response.