Advertising Supplement/Fine Fashion/Designers/Catherine Deneuve

Catherine Deneuve

With its unceasing rain, umbrellas are always a consideration among the people of Mort. While cheap, utilitarian umbrellas can be had from almost any shop in the city, those looking to stand out will travel to Mort Central to shop at Catherine Deneuve's

Catherine Deneuve was born on New Paris, the only child of Lorraine and Charles Deneuve. Her parents are the owners of LCD Textiles, an extremely lucrative company dealing in exotic fabrics. Catherine grew up in wealth and style, always exposed to the family business that, it was assumed, she would eventually take over. However, a business trip to Mort with her parents changed everything.

“I remember walking out of the spaceport and into the rain of the city. It made me so sad. People either hid beneath drab black umbrellas or simply hunched over and walked through the rain unprotected. I thought what a shame it was that no thought had gone into the aesthetics of an accessory that most people on this world, by necessity, must own.”

- Catherine Deneuve, at age 15, on her first trip to Mort

Thus began Catherine Deneuve's fascination with umbrellas. With her parents blessings, she enrolled at the Baroque School of Aesthetics at New Paris majoring in Aesthetics and Design. Three years later she returned to Mort to study Business at Meny. At the age of twenty, she graduated with honors and threw herself into the fashion world of Mort.

Working from her small Uptown flat, Deneuve began sketching ideas for umbrellas. She would not be content with the ubiquitous round, black nylon design. No shape, material or concept would be off-limits. It was one of her first designs that gave Deneuve her big break. The “Porcine” design would have a canopy of cured sewer pig skin. The shaft and handle would be carved from a single piece of tusk. The hardware would be brushed aluminum. She had cajoled her parents into letting her show her designs to one of their regular clients. On seeing the “Porcine” design, Siobhan Lambert was sold.

“ The 'Porcine' design? Sheer genius. To combine two of the most detestable, yet iconic facets of life on Mort [rain and sewer pigs] and synergize them? To call 'Porcine' an umbrella is a gross injustice. It is a testimony to the indomitable nature of humanity to reign in and master primal forces. It is a celebration of Progress. I offered her a contract and an order of 15,000 units on the spot.”

- Siobhan Lambert 900SD

With that order, Deneuve's future was secured. The “Porcine” design would feature largely in Lambert's Fall 901 line and still sells well to this day. In fact, the design did so well that Deneuve would eventually work with Department of Streets and Sanitation and finance a series of Blue BPNs to procure a steady supply of pigs for raw materials.

Today, Deneuve has flagship boutiques in Mort Central and on New Paris. Her lines are carried in most upscale retailers across the World of Progress. Deneuve has also started working with Karma on a line of biogenetic umbrellas. Look for umbrellas that repair themselves, emit custom fragrances and emit bio-luminescence in upcoming lines.

Advertising Supplement/Weaponry/Firearms/Stearman Ballistic Labs

Type: Precision firearms manufacturer

Location: Mort Central

Description: Stearman Ballistic Labs (SBL) is a new firearms design company with an emphasis on high-end precision weaponry. SBL was created by Colin Stearman, a five year veteran of Dante serving as a scout/sniper. During his time on Dante, Stearman logged 614 kills. His time in the field taught him that a gun should be more than a device to put lead on target, it should be a natural extension of the shooter. He created SBL to fill a notable gap in the selections available to sharpshooters. SBL understands the pain of the Bullet Tax and strives to deliver weapons accurate and deadly enough to preclude the need for multiple shots. SBL is so confident in the performance of its weapons, no SBL product is offered with a burst or full-automatic capability.

SBL has become increasingly popular with the Wraith Raider community. Wraiths feel that SBL understands the understated elegance and efficiency of single-shot weapons. SBL has responded by hiring prominent Wraith Operatives and Contract Killers as consultants on weapon design and refinement. Among the scout/sniper elite, an SBL sponsorship is highly prestigious.

Even at the “low end” of the price range, SBL weapons are extremely pricey and at the “high end” can be prohibitively expensive. Much like the famed BLA Blitzer, all SBL weapons are hand made with an exacting eye to detail and quality. Stock weapons are available as well as dozens of customization options at the point of sale. For those with the reputation and disposable income, SBL accepts special orders for one-off personal weapons. Whatever the customer wants, the customer gets. From utilitarian polymers to exotic works of art with natural hardwoods and precious metals, SBL will build it perfectly. Rumor has it that Top Notch is working with SBL on a rifle for her inevitable grudge match with Delia the Destroyer. An exact price hasn't been announced but is estimated in the 100,000-250,000c range

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Advertising Supplement/Sports/Mort Hockey League

Mort Hockey League

Type: Professional Hockey Organization

Location: Stadiums in Central, Uptown, Upper and Lower Downtown

Description: The Mort Hockey League (MHL) maintains four divisions of three teams each. The Divisions break down as follows:

Mort Central Division

Camden Sector Sanguines

Pegram Sector Rainfall

Carver Sector Fusion

Uptown Division

Runyon Sector Legionnaires

Striplin Sector Ennui

Rascette Sector Infernos

Suburbia Division

Maxwell Sector Ice Clowns

Freedman Sector Reapers

Macklin Sector Highlanders

Downtown Division

Lowell Sector Sewer Rats

Lower Hambelton Pest Control

Upper Hambelton Smoking Octopi

Each team has its own arena which is used for other events (concerts, conventions, other sports and Contract Circuit events) when the team is at an away game and during the off-season. It comes as a surprise to many people that the Downtown arenas are kept in very good repair and have their own Shiver Station attached.

Shivers have a special connection to the MHL, as the Lower Hambelton Pest Control began its life as an all Shiver hockey club. It is a matter of pride that the Shivers have had at least one of their ranks playing for each team in the MHL since the inception of the league. Each Shiver department in a league sector works hard to get a player on the local team. Shivers who go pro are excused from active duty during their time in the league, though they can be called to active duty in times of emergency. Shivers playing in the MHL are permitted to draw their regular Shiver salaries on top of league pay. Pay in the MHL is based on time and talent. Rookies can expect to make around 2,000c per season while veteran stars command 20,000c and up. Production and post season bonuses add to the pay and endorsement money can also sweeten the deal. Ennui star Jacques Forlaine brings in upwards of 50,000c per season with endorsements and bonuses. Not bad for a Shiver Sergeant.

The MHL is co-ed, with most teams having one or two women on the roster. On interesting side-note, over 65% of the women in the MHL play goalie. The MHL is exempt from the Racial Equality Program; Shaktars and Stormers are not permitted to play (even if they wanted to). Ebons and Brain Wasters, while not strictly prohibited, show no interest in playing the sport, let alone watching it. Wraith Raiders have become huge MHL fans, likely due to the ice and cold of the venues. Wraiths are permitted in the MHL; their speed and grace make them natural players, and several Wraiths have found fame in the ranks of the MHL. Frothers are permitted to play; the Macklin Highlanders is actually an all Frother team. The incredibly strict anti-drug policies tend to keep more Frothers out of the MHL, regardless of how much they enjoy the fighting and hitting people with sticks.

Drug screening in the MHL is regular and stringent, and no biogenetic enhancements are permitted. There is a zero tolerance policy for both, with a lifetime ban for the first offense. No explanations or excuses are accepted. There is no appeals process. Since the league began in 826SD, only eight players have been ejected for violating the drug and biogenetic policies. Players know better and respect the MHL far too much to risk it.

The MHL has worked to keep game tickets affordable, considering that a quarter of the teams in the league operate in low-income sectors. Ticket prices start at 5u for a standing room only pass to 125u for a seat on the glass at center ice at a marquee game. Each stadium can hold around 20,000 fans, so there are plenty of tickets in all price ranges. All games are televised, so fans who can't afford to get tickets can still follow their favorite teams.

Dining choices at games vary from stadium to stadium, with companies annually bidding on vending rights. Expect to see choices like BacBurger or Paramour Pizza in Suburbia/Downtown arenas, while Uptown/Central arenas offer selections from establishments such as Chez Bummin' or Hey! Fondue! Private boxes are often catered by fine restaurants like Martindale's.

An MHL season is 82 games, half played at home and half on the road. The playoffs is an elimination tournament consisting of four rounds of best-of-seven series. The first three rounds determine which team from each conference will advance to the final round. The grand prize in the MHL is the Progress Cup, a large platinum trophy etched with the champion roster for each year. Despite using small print, the Cup has grown to over five feet tall; when space runs out on the cup, another level is added.

Advertising Supplement/Gentlemen's Clubs/Slatterns

Type: Exclusive gentlemen's club

Location: Mort Central

Description: Located in the heart of Mort Central, Slatterns is one of, if not the most exclusive gentleman’s clubs on Mort. One does not simply walk into Slatterns. Once must be invited. Invitees are carefully screened before a formal invitation is made. Only those with a surplus of money, power or fame are called on for membership. Invitations are always elaborate and intended as a major spectacle. Traditionally, invitations are delivered by an impossibly beautiful woman flanked by two impossibly huge men. They will arrive in an impossibly huge Augustus limousine. The invitee will be brought into the limo where they will be wined and dined on the finest food and drink before the offer is made. No expense is spared on the presentation. The terms of the membership are financially dear and utterly non-negotiable. The initial membership fee is 5,000c payable immediately, with monthly dues of 1,500c. These fees cover all food and drink at club. Only gratuity and “other expenses” need to be covered.

Despite its name, Slatterns is an extremely opulent and upscale establishment. Members are expected to dress appropriately. While coat and tie or formal gown is not strictly required, showing up in tatty dungarees could eventually get your membership revoked. The building and décor are classic Head Office. Glass, steel, marble and leather are the mainstays. Subtle colored neon tubing trims the interior, suffusing the club with a warm, exotic glow. Seating can be found at the bars, tables, semi-private booths, or one of the many raised platforms on which the famed women of Slatterns perform.

The women of Slatterns are legendary throughout the World of Progress. While the regular bartenders and waitresses are all stunningly attractive, the dancers’ grace and beauty almost defies description. Twenty-four hours a day the finest women in the Known Universe are on display. Though the club invites members of all races (though admittedly few Shaktars and Wraiths accept), Slatterns only employs female humans as wait-staff and female humans and ebons as dancers.

The dancers are all available for personal and private performances as well as a cornucopia of carnal delights. A patron need only ask a waitress for “The Menu.” Requesting “a menu” will produce an actual listing of the drinks and foods available. Requesting “The Menu” will produce a leather-bound, gold-leafed folio with bios and photos of all available dancers on that shift. Along with the photos and bios is a detailed listing of all the “activities” available. These range from as traditional as a lap dance to as exotic as a full-blown (pardon the pun) orgy. The dancers are highly skilled in almost any carnal activity one could dream of. No prices are listed on The Menu; if you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it, and those who can’t afford it would never have been invited in the first place. Accounts are simply discreetly billed for any “activities.”

Whereas most Operatives and Contract Killers would scoff at the idea of paying for sex, there is no such stigma attached to paying for pleasure at Slatterns. Members feel they are paying for quality and public image. They feel paying for the delights of a Slatterns dancer is no different than spending 50,000 on a top of the line Highjoule Masari instead of taking the bus. Both get you where you need to go, but one looks and feels so much nicer and nobody ever looked with envious eyes at some schmuck riding the bus.

Many of the members of Slatterns are there only for social and business reasons. Anyone who is anyone is a member of Slatterns. Being seen going in or out of the club is an automatic boost to the reputation. Business deals are often made inside. Business executives, financiers, and agents do everything in their power to obtain a membership to Slatterns. The large cost of membership often pays for itself after a couple of well planned deals. In an average night, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of credits could change hands under the neon glow.

Slatterns also has the distinction of being one of the few places Intruder frequents of his own volition. He always comes alone and has a private room in the back. Nobody, including management, knows what goes on in there; the less they know the better. Two Dark Finders guard the door to prevent snoopers. Intruder is quite sociable on his way to or from his room, stopping to talk with just about anyone who asks. He is very polite and seems genuinely regretful when he says he must be going.

While Slatterns is not a gambling establishment, accommodations can be made for guests, with the house taking 10% of every pot. Generally a room can be set aside and a dancer provided to run the game. Possibly as a bad intended pun, the only game permitted in Slatterns is poker.

Advertising Supplement/Fine Apparel/Feingold's

Feingold's Fine Tailoring

Type: Fine custom apparel

Locations: Mort Central

Description: Tucked away among the myriad shops of Mort Central is a small, unobtrusive storefront. There is no gaudy marquee announcing the shop. Simple gold scripts on the window advertises “Feingold's Fine Tailoring.” This unassuming shop produces some of the finest clothing on the planet. Apprentices at Feingold's have gone on to work for Arducci and some of the most prestigious designers on New Paris.

Anyone working at Feingold's is trained under the careful and exacting eye of Martin Feingold. He required all his apprentices to work with him one on one for no less than six months before he will even consider letting them work unsupervised. Even once they are past the apprentice stage, employees will never directly make a garment; employees are only permitted to do measurements and simple alterations. Feingold creates all the garments himself. All employees know the old man's strange job terms. When an apprentice feels they can make a garment to Feingold's standards, they are free to do so at their own expense. Feingold will then inspect the garment carefully. If it meets his strict requirements for quality and aesthetics, the apprentice is fired on the spot. This may seem strange, but it is the highest compliment Feingold can give. He has nothing more to teach at that point. Many fashion designers would kill to be able to say they were fired by Feingold on their resumes.

So how can a shop that only has one master tailor stay in business in Mort Central? Uncompromising quality. Customers know that when they walk into Feingold's, they will not be purchasing anything off the rack. The entire outfit will be custom made from the finest materials the World of Progress has to offer. Even accessories like ties and socks will be made to order. Feingold even keeps a jeweler on retainer to one-off cufflinks, tie pins and other accessories as needed. A shoemaker is also available if needed.

Feingold's operates on an appointment only basis. On entering the shop, the door will be locked and the curtains drawn. The customer will be offered a selection of imported coffees and teas to enjoy while they are measured. The customer then explains what it is they are looking for. Feingold then provides a quick sketch to verify the vision. Materials are discussed, but generally people let Feingold decide the details. Price is never discussed. If you have to inquire about price, you certainly can not afford to wear a Feingold garment. Depending on the garment and the customer, the order can take anywhere from a day to a month. On the average, a man's suit will take about a week. Elaborate ball dresses can take much longer. For those who really need to know prices, a man's ensemble (suit, shirt, tie, pocket square, socks) will cost in the area of 3500-5000 credits. An elaborate formal dress can run easily over 10,000c depending on the materials.

While the idea of a suit of clothing that costs more than a suit of Dogeybone is a little off-putting, one needs to keep certain things in mind. First, the item will be one of a kind and made by hand from the finest materials the World of Progress has to offer. Second, Feingold clothing is guaranteed forever. Once purchased, the customer may return for unlimited alterations. In the impossible event that an item is defective or wears out, Feingold will provide a replacement free of charge. Third, he's been doing this for 213 years. Being Mr. Slayer's personal tailor has its advantages.

Advertising Supplement/Restaurants/Boscoe McFeeney's House of Haggis

Boscoe McFeeney's House of Haggis

Type: Frother theme restaurant

Location: Mort Central

Description: Almost universally reviled as one of the most disgusting concepts ever for a restaurant, House of Haggis (HoH) manages to be a surprisingly profitable enterprise.

Boscoe Mc Feeney was a Frother Contract Killer. He was reasonably successful on the circuit, living the dream of money, women and partying. However, the repeated nights of hard partying caught up with him. He started missing training sessions and was showing up for events and matches hung-over or still drunk/stoned out of his gourd. In no condition to fight, he was dealt a series of staggering defeats. After an ill-conceived Last Man Standing match against Mr. Consequence left him in an LAD recovery room, Boscoe realized stoned and concussed was no way to go through life. He quit the Circuit, which made his agent and Circuit officials none too happy. Even though he had become a losing fighter, people still paid top credit to watch this goof ball Frother get his ass regularly handed to him.

Having retired with a goodly sum of money from sponsorships and earlier wins socked away, Boscoe approached his clan for guidance. They asked what his aspirations were now that he was off the Circuit. He said he did not want to continue as an Operative, but wanted to open a restaurant. The clan gave its blessing, going so far as to procure a location in Mort Central for the restaurant. They hooked him up with a business advisor and left it at that. It seemed to everyone that Boscoe had gone from a drugged out Contract Killer to a respectable businessman.

Everyone was quite shocked when six months later, the doors opened to Boscoe McFeeney's House Of Haggis. The small restaurant was decorated with tartans from all the major clans (with McFeeney's clan being the largest and most predominantly displayed. Pictures and memorabilia from well-known Frother Operatives and Contract Killers adorned every spare space on the walls. Dance mixes of traditional bagpipe songs played over the sound system. Waitresses dressed in traditional (albeit extremely skimpy) Frother garb worked the tables. Most horrifying was the menu. Every entrée and appetizer contained Boscoe's favorite dish: haggis. Boiled, steamed, fried, baked, sliced for a sandwich, chopped on a salad – if there was a way to serve haggis, Boscoe explored it. The desert menu defied description. On the sign over the door and on all the menus was Boscoe's smiling face.

The problem was, the Contract Circuit still owned the rights to his image and issued a cease and desist order against the restaurant. No pun intended, the Frother community went berserk. Clans united in support of one of their own. They flooded into the restaurant to start a protest that would last for days. As the protest wore on, the protesters grew hungry. Eventually, hunger turned to desperation. Despite the cease and desist order, Boscoe instructed his staff to fire up the ovens and start feeding the protesters. The media was soon on the scene. Frothers, attention seekers by nature, wanted to show the public their support for Boscoe and that they were not afraid of the menu. What followed was televised mayhem. Frothers from rival clans were having haggis eating contests, followed by haggis hurling contests (both physical and gastric). Viewers piled into the location to be a part of the action.

The lawyers at the Circuit were fundamentally screwed. If they went ahead and shut down the restaurant for good, or attempted to wrest control from Boscoe, the Frother community would go into open revolt. Ultra-Violet and Tig had already come forward in support for their fellow Frother. Even the Video Nasty had been heard to say that he respected anyone who was intentionally disgusting and openly defied the system. The Circuit knew what it had to do.

The Circuit offered Boscoe an obscene amount of money for his restaurant. He would be allowed to stay on as a figure-head and advisor. A legend was born.

The joke is, the food at the HoH is generally repulsive. The bulk of the customers (mostly Frothers) eat there on a dare, out of loyalty, or because they're too drunk or stoned to know any better. Often it is a combination of the three.

Being a Frother-centric restaurant, HoH is usually extremely rowdy; impromptu eating contests and food fights are a fairly regular occurrence. The general rule is don't wear anything to HoH that you want to keep. Lumo has recently worked a deal with HoH to install vending machines at the restaurant. There are currently talks on franchising out the restaurant across Mort.

An entrée from HoH runs about 5-7 credits. Appetizers and desert are 1-2 credits.