Eating Your Problems

Posted on Sun Feb 13th, 2011 @ 4:12pm by Ensign Bok

Mission: Episode 1.4 - "Confusion in the Cluster"
Location: Orient Express Lounge

Ensign Bok was the new guy. In many circumstances it was difficult being the new guy and right now Bok was feeling sorry for himself. He wanted to create a splash when coming aboard but his superiors in the engineering department were not allowing him a free reign to prove himself. He wasn't going to get anywhere making sure the variance on the impulse injection manifolds stayed within specifications.

He had tried to volunteer to adjust with the shield generators to work in the Black Cluster. So far the engineering team was having little luck. Once Federation shields were useless against Jem'Haddar fire and the Breen energy dampening device. Federation ingenuity overcame those obstacles. Bok was sure the problem was tied into the same issue that was causing problems with the warp engines and believed a solution could be found by adjusting the warp field, which would solve both problems. Ensign Rolands was not convinced and did not take the request to Lt. Warrington.

So Bok found himself after shift in the lounge waiting to eat his problems away. He was absent mindedly tapping on the table with his spoon when he looked up and noticed that some people were looking at him. An idea suddenly came to him. It was probably a bad idea, but at least it would get him noticed.

A slim young human male with wavy black hair approached his table. "I'm Greg. What can I get for you this evening?"

"I'll have some eggs benedict, Andorian tuber root, Hasperat souffle, and lasagna. Oh and bring out a hot fudge sundae," Bok replied. "To drink I'll have some Jumja tea brought out with the meal."

"Would you like your dessert brought out after the meal?" Letsky asked him.

"No bring it all out together," the young engineer replied.

Bok waited patiently for his food, only occasionally forgetting that wrapping his spoon on the table was rude. When his food came out the next step of his plan was ready. "Uhm, Greg, I'll need a large bowl and this spoon isn't large enough. Do you have any larger?"

Greg didn't say anything but came back in a few moments with the implements. Bok got up from his table to ask for some salt from a nearby person's table, and cream from another. He chopped the eggs benedict, tuber root, souffle and lasagna into bits and tossed them into the bowl. The sundae was added along with some salt and the cream. For good measure the tea followed. This would make it easier to mix.

The other crew in the lounge were transfixed. Was he really going to eat this?

Short answer was yes. He held up the bowl for everyone and said, "Harg gurglagh, here's to your second stomach." Bets were placed on whether he could finish the meal. A smattering of cheers came when the last bite was consumed. Bok delicately cleaned off his face with a napkin.

When he finished he called the waiter back over, "Greg, I would like some truffles now."

"Would you like anything to mix with that?" Letsky asked.

"Don't be absurd," Bok said. "Truffles are a delicacy."