Once upon a time, and that time is now. Shen do Shen owns a small business in the dark market, which he keeps hidden in the back room of a legitimate business in the royal marketplace.
"Your Majesty, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Shen asks of his visitor.
"I have come to collect my weekly taxes Shen," announces the great goblin King.
"But your majesty, I just payed my taxes yesterday to your collector," complains Shen.
"I heard you had a busy night Shen, I'd hate to see you spend my percentage before I had a chance to collect," explains the king.
"Of course your majesty," states Shen in fear of the alternative, "let me grab it from the back room. I won't be but a minute."
"Of course Shen, take your time. Make sure you count it right," warns the king.
"Your majesty," speaks a frail voice of his entourage, "since the dark market is now a taxable exchange and bartering system within the kingdom thanks to your diplomacy, you have managed to turn illegal businesses into legitimate, tax payers of sorts. The businesses operating in the dark market were profiting anyway, so your decision helped earn revenue for the kingdom, and therefore alleviate the tax burden off of businesses in the royal marketplace."
"I'm aware of that, servant," the king answers.
"Shen only need a permit and a record of his transactions in order for his dark market bar to be a legitimate business in the kingdom," another servant adds.
"Keep quiet," the king orders, growing impatient for Shen's return from the back room.
"Ah, here we are, my king," Shen do states as he shuts the door to the stairway behind it leading to the lower level of his storefront. He locks the door behind him as he pulls out an envelope from the inside pocket of his jacket. "This is for you, your highness," he says as his hand offers the envelope to the king, his head bowed down as a form of respect.
"Ah, here we are, my king," Shen do states as he shuts the door to the stairway behind it leading to the lower level of his storefront. He locks the door behind him as he pulls out an envelope from the inside pocket of his jacket. "This is for you, your highness," he says as his hand offers the envelope to the king, his head bowed down as a form of respect.
"Are you still catering to customers from last night?" Asks the great king.
"A few are still here your majesty, but they will be leaving shortly," Shen humbly explains, "the sun came out before they had a chance to leave your majesty. As soon as it is dark again, they will be sent away."
"Your majesty!" Shrieks one of the servants.
"Quiet!" Roars the great king at his entourage. "Vampires?"
"Some, yes, your majesty," but peaceful from what I can tell," answers Shen.
"Make sure they leave tonight. I don't want vampires staying overnight two days in a row," orders the king.
"I will make sure of it," agreed Shen. The king waves his entourage to exit the store.
This post first appeared on Papoose Doorbelle Educational Misadventures, please read the originial post: here
