Paying Those Wacky Dues (a Rocket question)

[Charaxes]

This is from the recent "Grating Spaces" episode in which the Rocket Delibird finally returns after 3-4 seasons and the question arose in the discussion: "have our Rockets paid off their debt to the organization?" Of course, there are a few items to consider: one being in "Dues and Don'ts" when Wendy's counter was going off about the money, as at least 5-6 zeroes slipped by as the camera closed up on it -- obviously, quite a debt. Which makes sense, given the expense of the mechas over the course of the series. Granted, while their recruitment bonus were gutted severely, the debate continues on as the emissary Delibird would pop up now and again.

The other item would cultivate into what was its final appearance at the time in "Can't Beat the Heat" as the Delibird carries with at least some of our Rockets' Silver Conference stand money. Although, for a debt that large (I think "Dues" said the bill was at least 10 grand, but I think there were additional fees. However, I am going by memory, here), would Delibird's bag being able to carry the necessary amount? Delibird is strong, but is it that strong, depending on the weight on various denominations? Like the Japanese currency the anime uses (see the Ghost of Maiden's Peak for that)

Being an organization founded on money and profit (see Onna Boss' views on it on the Birth of Mewtwo CD), the org would rather hound our trio quite a bit, yet after the abrupt Delibird ending, apparently not. Now, would the collection of such a debt fall under reality or the writers simply being...well, lazy?

I could easily point out that collection agencies would cap off the debt at a certain percent and even offer amnesty after a certain sum ("pay this off to erase your debt"). However, that rather applies with the person have a good credit rating or in this case, is an understanding Rocket agent, but our trio wouldn't apply here. I know, a bit too much psychoanalysis, but I thought it would make for amusing speculation as that's what we can go on, really.

Or we need another "Dues and Don'ts" episode to sort it all out. Maybe it will happen, one year. Have at it.

 

[Forci Stikane]

They DID pay off what at-the-time was left of their debt in the Johto League, and then were shipped to Hoenn, where I THINK they were on their own for the most part...but then we get to the current season. Thus far, yeah, they've spent quite a bit of money, but some of it's probably come from their sales...

 

[Miss Reyna]

Yeppie. I think so too. That Team Rocket paid it off during the Johto Championships. Still Dark Charaxes does have a good point. The organzation would try to take more then they needed from our group of three. Still remember that Giovinai also wanted to get rid of the Rocket Trio by sending them off to Hoenn. Maybe he sarfirce the chance to get more money from them for the chance to get rid of them. Then while in Hoenn Jessie, James and Meowth could just gotten their own money for their robots.

 

[Charaxes]

Something occurred to me with the "Giovanni-shipping-them-off-to-Hoenn" bit. In the first Spoink episode (late in Advanced Challenge), he groused to the fact "he's tired of backrolling their Hoenn disasters". So, wouldn't that mean they would owe him more money anyway, even if they already paid him off with the Delibird arc? It sounds like a constant cycle of debt and dependence. Which means that they'll be stuck in Team Rocket possibly forever. Heh.

That's kinda depressing. Hm.

 

[Larvitar_51_TX]

Nah thats how it has always been team rocket is in it 4 good it shows it in a Chronicles episode as 4 tha Deilbird i have no idea where he has been

 

[Forci Stikane]

Something occurred to me with the "Giovanni-shipping-them-off-to-Hoenn" bit. In the first Spoink episode (late in Advanced Challenge), he groused to the fact "he's tired of backrolling their Hoenn disasters". So, wouldn't that mean they would owe him more money anyway, even if they already paid him off with the Delibird arc? It sounds like a constant cycle of debt and dependence. Which means that they'll be stuck in Team Rocket possibly forever. Heh.

That's kinda depressing. Hm.

Well, don't read too much into that. Regardless of if they paid it all off or not, our trio still had Giovanni pay for those failures...and of course he'd be sick of them failing like that.

That could also mean that he DID pay for them in Hoenn...

 

[Charaxes]

Well, don't read too much into that.

That could also mean that he DID pay for them in Hoenn...

I know. "It's only a TV show and you should really just relax." But I thought it would make an interesting observation for those wacky fic writers out there. Heh.

Anyway, yes, that's the basis of my inference with that "bankroll" line. I do wonder if Butch and Cassidy will end up the same way considering their streak of failures (particularly as their Chronicles run made the Elite Rockets come off as Jessie/James-style failures). It will all catch up eventually. Thought I'd throw in another layer for ya. Heheh.

 

[Forci Stikane]

I know. "It's only a TV show and you should really just relax."

...No, more like "it's just how it sounds, don't take any other meaning from it".

 

[Miss Reyna]

I didn't see that episode so I can't say anything about it.

Still that does make sense. I don't remember Team Rocket doing much fundraising during Hoenn so that could explain a little where all those mechs came from.

Still Butch and Cassidy know better to follow around people that keep on beating them. They could have a good string of wins then find Ash and Friends or Richie then fail.

 

[Charaxes]

I know, but I got to take my amusement from semantics somewhere? Hah.

Indeed, they weren't as broke during Hoenn, although, in the Claydol episode, Ash did make the comment about their being broke. Of course, I'm wondering how he'd be able to deduce that and that brings up another question: would their debt be obvious to other people?

And Reyna: that's true with B/C, but I've noticed how the heroes always manage to stumble on their schemes in perfect sense of timing. Sometimes, it's a good thing. Other times, it's almost annoying/too convenient. But that's another topic for another day.