Transcript For Strip 795

Panel 1
Back to the present: Adileh, Murphy and Seamus in Adileh's 'office'.
Adileh: 'Somebody should do somet'ing about dis,' he said. So I did somet'ing.
Murphy: What did you do?
Panel 2
Adileh leans back in her chair, smiling.
Adileh: Well, the Loonie way would be to petition the Lunar government, or the company, to change its rules. Stage demonstrations, talk to the media, write agit-prop, rouse the rabble.
Adileh: The El-fiver way is to set up a superior, competing system.
Adileh: So, I went into business with Archie the bartender, and some other people I brought in for specific jobs.

Panel 3
Another flash-back scene – looks like a classical Roman bath-house, with barely-clad, happy women (and a few young men). A customer is being welcomed by a hostess.
Caption (Adileh): 'Creme de la Creme' was modeled on the very best bordellos in L-5 City.
Caption: 'I brought in some fresh sex-workers, but before long the Rising Sun girls were flocking over, begging us to take them in.'

Panel 4
Back to the present.
Murphy: And the miners here had enough money to support such an establishment?
Adileh: Well, I did spend a lot of money, and it was years before I recouped my investment. But there was another factor ...

Panel 5
Flash-back again: Adileh is in a conversation with a trio of well-dressed, 40-ish women.
Caption: 'It turned out there were other women on Ganymede. Some executives and wives of executives, who remained in enclaves out of sight of the hoi polloi.'
Caption: 'Some of them felt just as trapped as the girls at the Rising Sun brothels.


Panel 6
Two of those women are working in a back-office, doing back-office kinds of work.
Caption: 'Most of them weren't suited for sex-work but my business also needed support staff – clerks, janitors, nurses, etc.'
Caption: 'Most just worked long enough to earn a ride home. Others stayed on for the long haul.'
Panel 7
Back to the present, in Adileh's office. They're standing now, Adileh is giving Seamus a hug.
Adileh: Sorry I can't visit longer – business matters are pressing.
Adileh: But when Nicole is out of the spa you'll all join me for dinner tomorrow, yes?
Seamus: Of course.
Panel 8
Adileh hugs Murphy, as Seamus is adjusting his cape-clasps.
Adileh (whispers to Murphy): You may call me at any time, okay?
Murphy: Sure.

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