Thano turned to Eli."Explain."
"Every business has to be able to prove they're not selling things they aren't allowed to sell.I have to be able to show you all my transactions, from where I've bought my goods, and so on, so you know I'm not taking money I'm not allowed to."
Thano didn't get it."But it's your money.If you sell the plant of lettuce, the money you get is yours, right?"
Eli was quiet for a moment too long."No, I can't sell this lettuce because I haven't bought it from Alice.She's not a registered business."
He was aware of the registered business law.Stupid humans.
"The potatoes then.Where are they from?"
"Fisherman's Lake.I bought them from Joshua Fagan."
"And he has a registered business?"
"Yes.He's a farmer."
"Good.So when you've sold his potatoes, you give him his part and keep the rest."
Eli shook his head."No.First, I buy them from Joshua, and then he has to pay taxes on the money I give him.Then I sell the potatoes, and I have to pay taxes on the money I get for them."
There were too many taxes."And then you take the money that's left."
"No, I have to use the money to buy more potatoes or milk or meat or whatever, and I have to pay rent for the shop."
"You don't own this building?"
Eli shook his head again."No, the board owns this building.They don't want to sell it since they get rent money."
The board owned it?It was never something they talked about in their meetings.Who took the money for it?
"If you were to sell Alice's lettuce, what would happen?"He'd told Ciar and Draven they had to have a registered company to be able to do business with humans, and it was true, but he wasn't sure what would happen if someone did business with someone who didn't have a number.
"If there was an inspection, and they found items in the shop I had no proof of having bought, I'd be punished.I'd lose my license and get a penalty."He shivered.
"By the sheriff?"Maybe they needed to fill the position.Thano had believed they'd be fine without one, but humans had too many rules.
"I'm sure the sheriff would be involved, but maybe also the board?"
The board?Thano had never been asked to punish anyone.He was pretty sure he would have liked to.
"Do you want to check my records?"Eli gestured out the window in the direction of the bank.
"No."
Silence settled."No?"
Why would he want to check his records?It sounded boring."No."
"You're not here to inspect me?"
"No.Why would I want to inspect you?"Though...He slid his gaze over Eli.Maybe he should.
Eli looked at Alice as if he was confused."You're on the board, and you said you needed to ask me a few questions."
"Yes, about tolls."
* * * *
