Cicion, you know very well that Cripple Mr Onion is a game of luck, not skill. Well, a game in which luck is a major component. A minor component, when one's luck is as consistent as mine. At any rate - it's unfair calling me an "Onion Shark" merely because I happen to have taken considerable sums from a variety of players across a long period of time.

Also, you should really stop serving Scumble to Anic. That's twice he's passed out now, and we wouldn't want anyone picking his pockets while he's in such peaceful repose.

Yeah, you're probably right about Anic. I'll give him a little time off before his next round.

I should see to that Hagrabiscuit machine. It has been a while since it was last refurb- uh... where did it go? And are those tiny robotic clawlike footprints leading away from where it was?

You know that's what happens when you forget the yearly maintenance. I'm beginning to suspect that you neglect the machine on purpose in order to give us all something to do when it wanders off in a hundred directions.

In the corner as if from nowhere and by a lot of magic the nouveau Hagrabiscuit Vending Machine, now a slightly different shade of yellow and complete with 10.6 SnowLeopard Refit had appeared (by teleport one presumes)...

It gleamed enticingly, open for business, with advanced price upgrades on all products.

Walks over to the new Hagrabiscuit machine, inserts two palm-sized iridium coins in the T-99 Robotronic Impulsion Field Sub-Actuator Coin Slot™ and selects "Hagraturkisubstance" from the menu. A large tray stamped with the GreenyBlue logo slides into place under the product chute and a cascade of semi-viscous tan-colored material pours out into it. The tray is placed on the bar.

Happy thankday, my friends and patrons! Anyone for some Hagraturkisubstance?

Well, it's been sitting there for some time now. Come on, guys, this Hagraturkisubstance isn't going to eat itself.

A series of gurgling, chomping noises come from the tray.

Uh... I stand corrected. Anybody for anther drink?

"I'll take another Dr. Pepper." mutters JacaByte quickly and softly, staring at the tray that contained food that ate itself.

Are you kidding (laughs strangely), that Hagraturkisubstance®©™ is definitely not safe to eat until it cools down to at least 400 degrees K. See how it glows in the dark, even though it isn't dark in here....

I'll have a Frosted GreenyBlue®©™ though, now that I've come out of my coma.

I see they've redecorated here again, still the AresBlue®©™ look

Fixes the drinks, with one eye warily on the Hagraturkisubstance tray. Yeah, I think we'd better let that simmer for a while and get whatever's bothering it out of its system.

In the meanwhile, I guess I'll have the bots string up some lights and such for the holiday, maybe get a yule fire going. That might be difficult seeing as how the bar doesn't have a fireplace, but maybe the droids can rig something up.

If we break up these tables and clear out a space, we might be successful in starting a fire...

Hm that'll be a hot fire considering that all the tables are made out of Aluminium...
We could use dried Hagrabiscuit, which rather resembles dried camel (two hump variety) dung which burns a bit cooler.

Sounds like a plan to me. I'll have the droids start gathering together hagrabiscuit scraps and preparing a little pit area over in that corner near the air duct so it can have some ventilation. In the meanwhile I'll string up some lights.

It looks like the Hagrabiscuit machine has gained an additional button that says "GreenyNog@@™". Hm. I think I'll stay away from that.

The Cylons over on the other forum are having a sale of X-Maz trees. They're made of chrome plated steel and sound a bit metallic, but should add a bit of flavour.
If you send one of the bots over you might get the robot discount...

A multi-hued blaze roars in the corner, with maintdroids dancing around it and trying to keep it under control. One strand of lights bobs up and down unnervingly close to the tops of the flames. A merry spacemas to everyone, especially my loyal patrons. We should have a toast! Pick your poison, on the house.

Mine's cashew wine, the worst poison on the planet even when it's the expensive stuff!

Mine's a Frosted BlueyGreen®©™ the seasonal variety with the snow storm on top.

The hagrabiscuit machine starts whirring loudly and then begins to spit out assorted party noisemakers and novelty hats.

Hap- A brief temporal eddy seizes the bar and holds it in place for several seconds.

-py new year!!!

Hmm, edible party hats.....
'py New Yr

Wow, 11:37, 12:31:2008, couldn't have been timed better.

-py new year!

@jacabyte, on Jan 4 2009, 05:15 AM, said in The Officer's Club Bar #7:

Wow, 11:37, 12:31:2008, couldn't have been timed better.

-py new year!

Hmm, I make it Jan 04, 2037.
Damned temporal eddies...,
,...I need another drink after all that celebrating.