Cliff whistled appreciatively.
"Wow," he said. "When you said we were making a loss, you weren't kidding."
"I never joke about business," Annika replied firmly.
"Evidently."
"Have subscriptions picked up at all?" Corinne asked.
"Not significantly," Annika answered. "A little overaverage, but only marginally. I really don't think it's worth doing this again next year."
"Oh, but... It's only the first year!" Cliff objected. "Word needs to get around and all that."
"I agree," Corinne nodded. "Reputation and all that."
"People are already talking," Julie spoke up then. "Has anyone else been poking around? Well, it's interesting. Seems that while the competition itself was unimpressive, just about everyone enjoyed your demonstrations, Cliff."
Cliff's face lit up.
"They did?"
Julie nodded.
"Speaking as someone who wasn't there, based on reviews, I think we may have gone about this the wrong way."
"Oh?" Annika's expression was challengng.
Julie nodded.
"There are stacks of gaming competitions and conventions out there - all catering to humans and non-technology powered mutants/ And aliens. I say - next year - we should not only continue your demonstrations, Cliff, but we should also promote a competition for gaming-oriented mutants. And aliens. Make that the starring attractions."
"How would you design that kind of a competition?" Annika asked dubiously.
Julie looked at Cliff and Binar.
"I don't know, how would you design that kind of competition?"