47

In TNG, Picard says that the Federation has evolved past a need for money. Indeed, we never see any.

In DS9 though, Quark talks a lot about bar tabs and costs. Surely O'Brien and Bashir don't get free drinks, so how do they pay? I'd assume that any Ferengi worth his lobes won't accept anything that can be replicated, so do Federation officers get a stipend of tradeable "value" when interacting with cultures that still expect payment?

I think there's also a reference to Quark paying rent to Sisko for running the bar. Presumably that's denominated in latinum. I wonder where it goes? Maybe the secret "Garak black ops" fund.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Ep1cFac3pa1m@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago

I always assumed the rent went to the Bajorans. After all, it’s their station, Sisko just runs it for them.

As for the bar tabs, I don’t think they ever really explained how starfleet officers paid for stuff on DS9. I always just assumed they had some kind of credit account through Starfleet or something when they were posted there.

[-] EdibleFriend@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

I'm 99% certain quark wasn't paying rent after the federation took over? Wasn't there some point where he started getting pissy about something and Sisko threatened to start charging rent?

[-] williams_482@startrek.website 4 points 1 year ago

That happened at least once, when Quark's employees formed a union and went on strike. I believe Sisko went to that well a number of times when Quark crossed a line or refused to do something important.

Really, it makes sense. Quark is profiting hugely from the Federation's willingness to not only give him a bunch of business but also not collect on some key expenses. That's a great business arrangement, but also gives the Federation leverage over someone they wouldn't otherwise have any trust in.

[-] EdibleFriend@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Yes! Thats it! Sisko put is foot down over that strike and said he could start demanded rent if he wanted too.

[-] T156@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

As for the bar tabs, I don’t think they ever really explained how starfleet officers paid for stuff on DS9. I always just assumed they had some kind of credit account through Starfleet or something when they were posted there.

They probably do, since the Federation deals with civilisations that use money on the regular. They likely have an allowance/stipend specifically for that.

"Farpoint Station" has Dr Crusher ask for some cloth to be put on her tab on the Enterprise, so DS9 isn't the only station using a similar system, which might be the same system, it's just that Quark's is a Ferengi business on a Bajoran station, so the issue comes up more often compared to someone who might be living on a starship, or on Earth Spacedock.

this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2023
47 points (98.0% liked)

Daystrom Institute

1 readers
13 users here now

Welcome to Daystrom Institute!

Serious, in-depth discussion about Star Trek from both in-universe and real world perspectives.

Read more about how to comment at Daystrom.

Rules

1. Explain your reasoning

All threads and comments submitted to the Daystrom Institute must contain an explanation of the reasoning put forth.

2. No whinging, jokes, memes, and other shallow content.

This entire community has a “serious tag” on it. Shitposts are encouraged in Risa.

3. Be diplomatic.

Participate in a courteous, objective, and open-minded fashion. Be nice to other posters and the people who make Star Trek. Disagree respectfully and don’t gatekeep.

4. Assume good faith.

Assume good faith. Give other posters the benefit of the doubt, but report them if you genuinely believe they are trolling. Don’t whine about “politics.”

5. Tag spoilers.

Historically Daystrom has not had a spoiler policy, so you may encounter untagged spoilers here. Ultimately, avoiding online discussion until you are caught up is the only certain way to avoid spoilers.

6. Stay on-topic.

Threads must discuss Star Trek. Comments must discuss the topic raised in the original post.

Episode Guides

The /r/DaystromInstitute wiki held a number of popular Star Trek watch guides. We have rehosted them here:

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS