Swiss Army knife, multi tool, or the ever useful paperclip. -- Anon Guest
Every nerd who ever entered the sciences has a First Microscope. Some even kept their First Computer. More than a few kept their First Telescope.
Firsts are important. And for JOATs, it's their First Multitool. Preserved and maintained. Usually kept on display, because a great Majority of JOATs go a little wild and choose the option with the most apparent versatility. And, co-incidentally, the most weight.
Almost all of them do this. But not Rael.
When offered the sponsorship of Galactic JOATs Incorporated, in order to purchase his First Multitool, Rael perused the shelves of a JOAT's Everything Shop[1] for some significant time. Looking at all the multitools in the display case for them[2]. They were beautifully arranged, with all the assorted tools and gizmos fanned out for maximum aesthetic appeal.
He spent so long at it that one of the staff came to assist him. "Need some help?"
"Which are the most useful tools in these, please?"
"Everyone needs a pair of pliers, an adjustable wrench, a screwdriver and at least two ways of cutting things," admitted the staffer. Honesty always helped sell things, in the end[3].
"None of these have just those," said Rael. "Where is the model with just those, please?"
These ones weren't in a display case. They were lined up on the racks, and hidden between the craft material and the art material. They had three options for cutting things, a knife, a pair of scissors, and the side-cutters for tougher objects. And two types of screwdriver in a gauge meant to fit most screws. Even the adjustable spanner was a thing of economy and durability.
"And since this is your first one," added the staffer, "you get a complimentary bottle of oil and maintenance instructions data file."
Rael checked the data-reader on his vambrace. Nodded. "Yes. That will do nicely, thank you."
To this day, he is the only JOAT on record to buy a sensible multitool as their First.
[1]: JOAT, of course, stands for Jack/Jill/Jharren Of All Trades. And as such, they have an amazing need to acquire astonishingly disparate tools and materials. Hence, a shop that contains a little bit of everything.
[2]: A universal law goes that anything in a display case is worth more than you can afford. Always.
[3]: The entire concept of "being on commission" has been outlawed, as it's classified as Cruel and Unusual to both seller and buyer.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / kyolshin]
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