Fuller nodded. "You are."
"Good. What Fremont-Wayfarer offers to the public are lodging and meals. We accept that we cannot rename our inns or restaurants, and we cannot open new chains, either. But we should be able to change our image. After all, the business does suffer from a bit of an image problem at present. Am I still within the rules?"
"Go on."
He grinned. "So here's what we would like to do. We find that we are in a unique position, as the first, and so far, the only corporation to be convicted and given the equivalent of a prison sentence."
She looked doubtful. "It's more like probation."
"Regardless. Well, as the old saying goes, if the world hands you lemons, make lemonade. So we intend to turn our corporate incarceration into a selling point. In fact, we're even willing to run public service announcements, explaining what a corporate sentence is all about."
Klee frowned. "Spare us the sales pitch. How would you implement this?"
"In a number of ways. The concept is to make coming to our restaurant like visiting a dear friend or relative who has been unfairly convicted and sentenced to a term in prison. We would redecorate the facilities, have new menus printed up, and issue new uniforms to the staff."
"New uniforms? How exactly would you be dressing your employees?"
"Just as you might expect them to be. The wait-staff would have orange jumpsuits, management would be dressed like guards, and kitchen help would get prison service staff outfits. Think Disneyland for cons."
Klee gaped. "Disneyland for cons? You expect your company's employees, free citizens of this country, to dress up as convicts? Are you crazy? They'll never put up with that."
He shrugged. "If we do nothing, we'd have to close the stores. Then they could dress any way they want on the unemployment lines. It's your choice, really."
"As the worker's union representative on this board, I am telling you right now that what you have suggested would not be accepted willingly. If you go through with this, over our objections, you will most likely be facing a strike vote. In your current situation, I do not think that would be conducive to any sort of positive press coverage."
Reese glared at him menacingly.
"Of course, this is just an advisory opinion," Klee added. "You do not have to abide by it, any more than citizens wearing those orange jumpsuits in a real prison have to abide by the rules. In both cases, however, there are consequences."
Nestor Bouvior cleared his throat. "May I intercede?"
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