The voice of Minata Ru, the owner of Saksai Beast Jewelry and the only other asian on the strip, spoke quietly from the back.
"Saksai plans on adding a Work-Day sale to the calendar to offset sales from the National Day of Rest. All in favor?"
"Aye." Il Ji replied.
"Aye." Another voice rang.
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"…The vote is unanimous. In honor of Mr. Addlesby's sale tomorrow, how about we start on Thursday to offset his puzzle sale? We could go through next Tuesday. All in favor?"
"…That is 17 for, 2 against, and 2 abstained. The new Work Day Sale begins on Thursday and can continue through Tuesday of next week."
"Are there any additional items for the floor today?"
Three minutes passed without anyone speaking.
"Alright!" Il Ji clapped his hands together. "As one last vote, should we attend Adele's party? Personally, while I often vote on the other hand, I mustn't lie, her promise to 'potentially triple my monthly profits' intriques me."
"For this time, I vote aye."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"It's unanimous! Please show up, but keep in mind that you do NOT have to stay."
"With that, the 20th informal formal meeting of the Midas Shopping Strip is hereby concluded. As of now, we can split up, grab a drink, and share stories until the couple upstairs make their reappearance."
Mingling with the crowd, Il Ji made sure to show his good side. While Adele was the formal 'boss' of the committee, he was the one that worked behind the scenes to make it all work perfectly.
First, he sent her a text via his holo. 'Adele, it seems that a few stores want to offset the loss of sales on Sunday. They've talked about making a sale that matches the theme.'
'Some people opposed it, saying it was too close to Attlesby's retirement sale. I think they'll settle for Thursday-Tuesday timeframe if you put it to a vote.'
'I'm sorry I forgot to tell you about my store closing temporarily. I'll be sure to tell you next time- and I'll make it up to you! Sincerely, your committee assistant, Il Ji.'
The text sent, he joined in the laughs and camraderie.
Twenty minutes later, Adele and the dark-skinned Ijiit walked in. Adele looked at him frostily.
Ijiit raised his right hand. "I, Ijiit, hereby promise, with the power of my right hand, -"
At this, Adele flinched.
"-to change my storefront to make it look nicer. I also promise to come to her party on the National Day of Rest, and I apologize to Adele Dormont for upending her meeting."
The once fiery man looked down at the floor and returned to his seat. As the sweat ran down his brow, his exertions for their sake were made clear to the entire committee. He had worked hard.
Adele looked out at all of her committee members. "I had an idea while I was upstairs. Since the National Day of Rest is cutting into our profits, how about we make a small sale to bring more people in?"
"We could keep it simple, and call it the 'Work Day Sale.' I'd rather give it an extra day or two off from the Day of Rest as we'll most likely have a larger clientele base for those who needed to come in on the Day of Rest."
"How about this. Let's have a Work Day Sale from Thursday through next Tuesday. By the powers invested in me as the Midas Shopping Strip Committee Head, I hereby call for a vote."
"I concur with Adele."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"I love looking into Adele's brilliant mind. Aye!"
"Aye!"
"Aye!"
Adele beamed around at the group as they applauded her beautiful mind and wonderful leadership.
"Is there anything else? If not, we can close out this, the 21st Formal Committee Meeting of the Midas Shopping Strip."
Ijiit raised a hand.
"Aaaaaanybody else? No? Alright. I hereby conclude this meeting. I hope to see you all in two days. I have it all planned out perfectly."
She made sure to lightly pressure everyone into saying yes before they left.
Il Ji looked around her shop for a while a before leaving. Several things caught his eye, but they were too expensive for him. Maybe in the future, when he was more prosperous, he could change the decor of his shop and home. But, until then, he would work with what he had.