Page 6 of Accounting for Taste

She looked at the group.“Are there any of her neighbouring businesses here with concerns?”

A male stepped forward.“I have a sleep shop, and the increased scent of kio will disrupt the sleep.”

“What is the price of stronger filters for your shop, sir?”

“What?”

“You sell sleep, so you are controlling the environment.What kind of air filters do you have before you add any of your private scents for the ease of your clients?”

He blinked in surprise.“I don’t have that information.”

“Get it and return here this afternoon.Both of you.Miss, if the price of a year’s worth of filters can be added to your expansion costs, you will be allowed to proceed.If you settle this between yourselves, contact this office to close the file.”

Aldiat nodded, and her neighbour left the room.

A helpful woman said, “Comptroller, you can look up the specs of his unit on the system.”

Reem nodded.“I am aware, but if he lies and lists a more expensive unit, he suffers a fine, and the government can take over his business.Isn’t this fun?”She looked at the crowd again, and one man paled and ran.

Reem was almost tempted to smile.“Next.”

The man who had told her to get in line stepped forward.“I am looking for a new field for one of the new crops.”

“Which crop?There were many imported with the new species.”

He dug into his pocket and pulled out some corn and wheat.

“Which do you wish to grow?”

“Both.”

She looked up information on growing corn and wheat.“They favour similar environments, but one is a seed head that needs to be thrashed, and the other is a fruit.Tasty and savoury but still a fruit.Are you growing for experimentation or seed?”

He blinked.“Both.”

She looked through available agriculture lots.“North of the city, plot seven six two one.You have ten days to get the seeds in the ground before the rain needed to grow arrives.Do not mix them.The harvesting is too different.”

He blinked.“You know of these?”

“They are the base for the diets of my people.There are other grains, but these are the ones I grew up on.Do a good job, and I will be the judge.”

He paused.“May I come back and ask about them?”

“Certainly.Your lot is recorded in your file.”She lifted her head to the crowd.“Next!”

Fifteen issues resolved or investigations opened before noon.She returned to her quarters and had a meal before going back to the office and beginning to ratify some of the agreements she had engaged in that morning.As people arrived to talk about their logistical needs, she dealt with them, one by one.

Her first day had been interesting, and she wished she could feel it, but it was a solid start to a new life.

Reem assumed that if she overstepped her position, she would get a note or something.

She completed her first week of work, verified that it indicated the office was closed the next day if someone wanted to know, and then she sought out a hairstylist and a manicurist.Her nails were rough.

Her account had enough funds accumulated to do what she needed to do, thanks to the bidding war.She was going to get some hair.

Reem went to the shop that had booked her in for the services she wanted and nodded to the receptionist.“Comptroller Reem.I am here for booked services.”

The receptionist’s markings flared orange.“Comptroller!You are prompt.”

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