Croissant: The Business

Operator Record The Business
You buy, you sell, and when it leaves your hands, it's gone like smoke. Unlock conditions Raise Croissant to Elite 2 Level 1. Have at least 50% Trust with Croissant.

Characters
Croissant Exusiai Sora Chang
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“

Croissant must clear out old stock to buy new machine oil, but trying to sell outdated goods is a headache.

”

<Background 1>
[Sora and Exusiai opens the door into a warehouse.]
Sora	Exusiai, any word from Croissant?
Exusiai	Yeah, she says yes.
Sora	She said we could store things here for a while if we run out of room at the office, but it's best to ask first.
Exusiai	The shopping festival sale completely stuffed the company warehouses. There's hardly any room to even step inside.
Sora	Yeah, we haven't been so busy in ages.
Exusiai	Never imagined there was so much storage space under Croissant's room.
Sora	She told me she rented two floors, one for living and one for storage. She's organized all the stuff into categories. Makes you feel better just looking at it.
Exusiai	Fruit cans... let's see... crafts, toiletries, clothing, food. Here, I think. What are these boxes over here? Magnificent Machine Oil?
[Croissant enters.]
Croissant	Exusiai! Came as soon as I heard. Didja find a place fer yer stuff?
Exusiai	Yes, but... I saw a bunch of machine oil over there. How did you get the goods so quickly?
Sora	You still had money left? Didn't you just borrow some from me last month to buy a bunch of cloth?
Croissant	That's the old kind I had in stock. I was thinkin' about sellin' it to raise the capital to buy the new stuff.
Sora	Will people really buy obsolete ones like these?
Croissant	It's from early this year, but it's still good to use. And cheaper'n the new kind. I'm sure I'll have takers.
Exusiai	Just from early this year? Wow, they sure release updates fast.
Croissant	Two new versions in a year. Yep, they must put some juice into R&D.
Sora	Croissant...
Croissant	What's on yer mind, Sora?
Sora	It'd be hard for me to guarantee quality if a record company wanted me to release two albums in a year, but I don't know the situation here...
Croissant	S'fine, I've used this machine oil fer ages. The quality's good.
<Background 2>
[The car radio plays an ad.]
Car Radio	Rusty machines? Wear and tear? Joints getting stuck? Get the latest Magnificent Machine Oil now! Temperature and oxidation-resistant, high viscosity and high purity. It's the best option! A new secret ingredient keeps your machinery running good-as-new. Discover brand-new experiences with five different effects. Buy a whole set and enjoy a secret bonus. Live life to the fullest. Choose Magnificent.
Exusiai	Can we turn the radio off?
Croissant	Magnificent don't spare any expense on advertising, do they?
[The ad continues.]
Car Radio	New limited-edition machine oil in collaboration with famous Lungmen craftsman Tsui-Tsui! Get it online or in stores now. The first hundred orders will also get a free set of maintenance tools, autographed by Tsui-Tsui. Call our hotline now!
Low Male Voice	Magnificent, the choice of a master. I am Tsui-Tsui, and I endorse this message.
Croissant	Hey, ain't that the engineer who's all the rage on the video websites right now? Didn't think he'd do a collab with Magnificent. Guess he really likes the new product.
Exusiai	Word of mouth is the important thing. The opinion of one master doesn't mean much.
Croissant	People're linin' up to buy it. More popular'n I ever thought it could be. Gotta stock up on a sure-seller like that!
Exusiai	It's a sure-seller, sure. What about your stock, though?
Croissant	Sigh... all the vendors what came to me were offerin' cents on the dollar, like they were colludin' or somethin'. Musta found out I need cash on short notice.
Exusiai	So what are you thinking? Are you selling?
Croissant	I'll hafta, if'n I don't get any news within the week.
Exusiai	It's what it is. You win some, and you lose some.
Croissant	Oh, bless your heart. Makin' me feel better, Exusiai?
Exusiai	Ahem. Watch the road, not me.
[The radio plays another ad.]
Car Radio	Fragrances on sale now! Great deals on everything! All the fragrance you could want at shocking discounts! Call Dainty Fragrances at xxxxxxxx if interested.
Croissant	Hah, looks like I ain't the only one tryin' to clear out stock.
Exusiai	That's a pretty stiff laugh, Croissant.
[The radio plays another ad.]
Car Radio	Live a healthier life with oat milk and coffee. One plus one can equal more than two.
Exusiai	Man, ads these days are just getting worse and worse.
Croissant	What'cha mean? I thought it made a lot of sense.
Exusiai	Living a better life with oat milk and coffee?
Croissant	Naw, the second bit.
Exusiai	One plus one can equal more than two?
Croissant	That's the one.
<Background 3>
[A woman is accompanying Croissant.]
Gentle Female Voice	One moment, miss. The representative of Dainty Fragrances is just inside.
[The woman knocks the door.]
Gentle Female Voice	Mr. Chang, there's a young woman with an appointment here. Are you free right now?
Chang	Show her in.
Gentle Female Voice	Come on in, Miss.
[Croissant enters the room.]
Croissant	Mornin', Mr. Chang. Sorry to show up all unannounced-like.
Chang	Not a problem, Miss. How should I call you?
Croissant	Croissant's the name.
Chang	Very good, Croissant. May I ask why you're here?
Croissant	Well, I happen to have some stock of Magnificent Machine Oil that I'm tryin' to get off my hands, but it's been mighty tough findin' a buyer.
Chang	I'm afraid we don't need any machine oil. We're having headaches trying to sell our own stock as it is.
Croissant	(Wags a finger) I ain't tryin' to sell ya my goods.
Chang	Then why are you here?
Croissant	I'm after a little cooperation.
Chang	Forgive me for being blunt, but it doesn't look like you have such great marketing channels yourself.
Croissant	And I ain't offerin' a channel, neither. I'm proposin' a strategy.
Chang	A strategy?
Croissant	Darn tootin'. A win-win strategy.
Chang	And what might that be?
Croissant	We sell our stock in a package deal.
Chang	Outdated machine oil and out-of-fashion fragrance. Seems like a combination doomed to fail.
Croissant	My machine oil comes with a mighty strong smell. Tackin' on a fragrance helps clear that right up. The real kicker's gonna be the variety of fragrances your company offers. Oil plus perfume ain't nothin' special, but the variety you got makes it interesting. We could even do up a "random fragrance" package to add to the fun.
Chang	(Nods approvingly)
Croissant	Now, why don'tcha tell me what yer best-sellin' smell is?
Chang	Rose.
Croissant	Let's toss that one out as a free gift.
Chang	Why would we give away the one that sells the best?
Croissant	We ain't just givin' it out. You gotta collect a couple other fragrance sets to get the free gift.
Chang	I see. What if we run out, though? We don't have a lot of rose fragrance in stock.
Croissant	In that case, we do a lucky draw. Ya get one chance at the draw for every full set of fragrance you collect.
Chang	I see. I can come up with something as a consolation prize, and we give out the machine oil and fragrances as the second and third prizes. But I'll need to think about the grand prize...
Croissant	I'm thinkin' I'n offer the grand prize. It pains my heart, but it's all in the name of business.
Chang	What is it?
Croissant	A poster autographed by Emperor himself.
Chang	Are you serious?!
Croissant	Sure am... I've this feller fer a mighty long time. (Oh yeah, I get to put my Employee of the Year Award to good use. It's just takin' up space.)
Chang	This discussion has been most illuminating, Croissant. Now, about the revenue share... I believe it's only fair that my company gets a bigger cut, considering the major role that our fragrance plays.
Croissant	I'd say it's too early to talk about that. Let's put our heads together on a detailed sales strategy first.
Chang	Very well. Here's my card. Feel free to contact us at any time.
Croissant	That'd be lovely, Mr. Chang. Here's mine.
Chang	Oh–
Croissant	What is it?
Chang	Oh, nothing. I've just never seen a business card so... cute.
Croissant	Leaves an impression, don't it?
<Background 4>
[Croissant meets Exusiai on a bar.]
Exusiai	You're back. How did it go?
Croissant	Mighty fine. We didn't settle on the revenue split though.
Exusiai	What's your plan?
Croissant	Maybe I'll call him up now.
[Croissant opens a folder with many business cards.]
Croissant	Gotta find his number. Flip through my rolodex here... boutique, appliances store, farm equipment, barber... here ya are, Dainty Fragrances.
Exusiai	Man, you have so many cards it's dragging on the ground. Do you have a detailed plan, though?
Croissant	Detailed plan? Too early fer that.
[Croissant calls Mr. Chang.]
Croissant	Howdy, Mr. Chang? I dropped by earlier today. Yep, it's me, Croissant. I just finished tallyin' up the goods and I'm ready to package 'em. There's just one thing... A workshop of sorts called me up. They're mighty interested in the oil...
[After hearing Chang's response...]
Croissant	And, er... well, the lady offered an awful temptin' price. No, I ain't given 'em an answer yet. I'd love to work with a big company like yours, but...
[After hearing Chang's response...]
Croissant	Sure, I understand, but business is business. Oh no, she's comin'. Gimme a sec.
Exusiai	(She's one heck of an actress...)
Croissant	(Covers the receiver lightly) What?! You really want my entire stock? I-I couldn't do that. I promised to sell it as a bundle with a real nice pardner. I-It ain't about the money. Yer desperate? But... I just ain't sure... alright, I'll think about it. (Releases the receiver) Sorry to keep you waitin', Mr. Chang. They're awful persistent... they said they just got a big project and need a whole heap of machine oil.
[After hearing Chang's response...]
Croissant	Huh? You'll increase my share? A-Are ya sure? Aw, I do appreciate that so very much. Thank you kindly! Would you have time tomorrow mornin' to pick up our chat? That'd be lovely. See ya tomorrow, Mr. Chang.
[Croissant hangs up.]
Exusiai	You have a deal?
Croissant	Sure do. Now I got the capital for new goods, and I'll also get to pay back my debt. That's some mighty fine luck.
Exusiai	Have you ever thought about a career in acting, Croissant?
Croissant	Nah, ain't worth it... hey, you aren't serious, are you?
Exusiai	(Shrugs)
[Exusiai leaves.]
Croissant	Well... that went awful good. (Looks at her own reflection in the mirror) Go make that money, Croissant. If you don't, somebody else will.
<Background 1>
[Croissant and Exusiai had finished packing up several boxes.]
Croissant	That's the last box! Let's see... two left. Not bad! Made my money back even before I sold out.
Exusiai	I didn't understand why you would stock up like that, but now I guess it makes sense.
Croissant	Mom n' Dad trained my instincts up like this. They're mighty precise.
Exusiai	Family of businessmen?
Croissant	Guess so. I grew up helpin' out around their little shop. So their thinkin' and habits've rubbed off on me.
Exusiai	Have you found someone for the remaining machine oil?
Croissant	Customer feedback was good, so I'm plannin' on keepin' it for myself.
Exusiai	Can I have a bottle?
Croissant	You can have a whole box, if you want.
Exusiai	(Checks the labels)
Croissant	What'cha you lookin' for?
Exusiai	The ingredients. I need to know if can be used on firearms.
Croissant	Oh yeah, I was so busy procurin', I never had a chance to look at what they added to the new version. I still got the old bottles. We could compare 'em.
[Croissant heads to pick some old oil bottles and returns to Exusiai with them.]
Croissant	Here we go! Let's see... what did they add?
Exusiai	75% mineral oil.
Croissant	Same. Additives?
Exusiai	Viscosity improver, antioxidant, anti-corrosive...
Croissant	Don't see anythin' different. What was the secret ingredient they were talkin' up in the ad?
Exusiai	Wait, there's something at the end... rose oxide?
Croissant	Whassat? Lemme look it up... rose oxide is a fragrance chemical found in roses and rose oil.
Exusiai	So all the new version added was a fragrance?
Croissant	I feel... like I got played.
Exusiai	Well, you know what they say. Great minds think alike. (Pats Croissant on the shoulder) Let's go. We have orders to deliver tonight.
Croissant	Sigh...
Exusiai	Aren't you going, Croissant?
Croissant	......
<Background 5>
One month later...
[Exusiai noticed a long queue nearby.]
Exusiai	Why is there always a line here? It wraps all the way around the corner.
Sora	Must be some new product launch.
Screen Ad	Brand-new Magnificent Machine Oil, now in stores! Elevate your experience and personalize your very own fragrance from one of a dozen options! Order now and get a mystery gift in partnership with Dainty Fragrances! Live life to the fullest. Choose Magnificent.
Exusiai	Another new version? Didn't they just release one last month? You think Croissant is in line?
Sora	You would think so, but...
Exusiai	But?
Sora	I'm gonna guess she's not.
Exusiai	Why?
Sora	She's been pretty depressed lately. She turned down my all invitations to go shopping or eat together, and she's not even taking care of her business. Did you know that the little warehouse she has is completely empty?
Exusiai	Looks like she got a big shock. All that effort to learn you've been played by the manufacturer... She's not gonna just give up, is she? I haven't seen her for days.
Sora	No idea, but I'm beginning to miss her bounciness, whether she made or lost money the day before.
Exusiai	Me too. But the name Dainty Fragrances does sound familiar.
Sora	See, I was right. No Croissant.
[Croissant shows up in her motorcycle.]
Croissant	Evenin', folks. Might I interest you in a new flavor of crispy meatballs after a hard day of work?
Sora	Thanks.
Croissant	Are you guys going back? I'll give ya a ride.
Exusiai	(Turns sideways) Ahem. Notice anything new?
Croissant	Er... a new hairstyle?
Exusiai	Not me. The display window behind me.
Croissant	Oh, that. Yeah, I knew about it a week ago.
Exusiai	Wasn't this a new product released today?
Croissant	Heard it from Magnificent myself. I introduced 'em to Chang, and they gave me a chance to buy their new product ahead of time, at a discount.
Exusiai	No wonder it sounded familiar... you've stocked up on the new goods, then?
Croissant	No, I turned 'em down.
Exusiai	Why? Isn't that a chance to make a bunch of money?
Croissant	Nah, I decided not to get mixed up. I already got me a new sales plan.
Exusiai	What are you planning to sell?
Sora	Wow, these crispy meatbals are great!
Croissant	Hehe.