Business Model
© 2025 by Walter Reimer

“I-I don’t understand,” Vladmir said, trying hard to keep his frustration from making him sound petulant.
‘M’ smiled.  “That’s all right, Your Majesty,” the roebuck assured the younger Indochinese leopard.  “I confess I have some trouble with it myself.”  He glanced at Chen Hlompho, the zebra looking nervous, and at the three strategic AI avatars who were also in the meeting room.  One of the AIs, Avril, had changed her avatar to a teenaged leopard femme in a civilian dress.
“If I may, Majesty,” Shamir said, the lupine avatar changing to the image of a Cape Hyrax wearing a black singlet and trousers and a black jacket.  “This is a person from Terran history.  He had money and ideas but lacked the ingenuity and expertise to bring those ideas into reality by himself.  He hired scientists and engineers and attracted investors who shared his ideas or were willing to gamble their money.”  The young Emperor nodded, and Shamir added, “He eventually reached his goals,” and the hyrax was replaced by the familiar wolf.
“So,” Vladmir said slowly, “this company you set up will . . . sell an idea?”
“That’s right,” Avril said.
Vladmir eyed the three avatars.  “And you’re sure this will work?”
Mei made a show of considering the question.  “Yes,” she replied.  “There are a lot of examples from history.  We can rehabilitate Terra, although it will take time because we can’t move the people living there.”
“I’m willing to wait,” Vladmir said.  He glanced at the zebra.  “Hlompho?”
“Hm?  Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Do you think you can do this?” Vladmir asked.
Chen swallowed and looked at ‘M.’  “I think so,” he said.
‘M’ said, “We have an entire history drawn up for Chen-jih; who he is, where he came from, how he obtained his money.  He will be the public face of our enterprise,” he said with a smile.  “Does this meet with Your Majesty’s approval?”
Vladmir sat back and thought, frowning before he finally nodded.  “Yeah.  Let’s try this.”
The three AI avatars vanished to start work, while Chen and ‘M’ shook paws before the zebra and the roebuck bowed to the young leopard and left the room.
After they’d walked down the hallway a short distance, the zebra said quietly, “Thank you, Director.”
“Oh?  For what?” the roebuck asked, glancing up at the zebra.
“For thinking I can do this,” Chen said.
Cervine teeth showed as the buck’s lips skinned back.  “Say the right things, and do the right things, and there will be no issues,” ‘M’ said.  “Of course, you’ll be told what to say and do.”
“I hope I can live up to expectations.”
“You will.”