Quark

From LoveToKnow Sci-Fi

Quark is a character in the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He owns and runs a bar called Quark's Place in the promenade of the space station. Played by actor Armin Shimerman, the Ferengi is the son of Keldar and Ishka. He always has his lobes in illegal business ventures and has a cat and mouse relationship with the station's security chief Constable Odo. Although he adheres to the Ferengi ideals of profit and greed, he evolves over the course of time to become a trusted friend of many aboard Deep Space Nine.

The Ferengi

In order to understand Quark, you must first understand the Ferengi. The race of humanoids were first encountered in Star Trek: The Next Generation and are characterized by their huge bald heads, large ears, and insatiable business acumen.

The Ferengi are obsessed with profits and will stop at nothing to ensure their own financial gain. Lying, cheating, swindling, bribery, etc. - nothing stands between a Ferengi and his greed. The species has a collected list of almost 300 rules known as the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition that are memorized during his early education.

The Ferengi have business deals throughout the galaxy; Quark is no different. Through running his bar he hopes for only one thing: large profits. His lust for latinum, the currency used throughout the galaxy, often makes him seem like a cruel and heartless individual. But he is a compassionate and caring person by Ferengi standards, just don't tell him that...

Quark's History

His earliest known job was a cook aboard a Ferengi freighter where he served for eight years. During the Cardassian occupation of the Bajoran homeworld, he came to the space station then known as Terok Nor to open a bar. When the occupation ended and the Federation took control, he wanted to leave. Commander Benjamin Sisko eventually convinced him (bribed him) to stay and continue operating his bar aboard Deep Space Nine.

Family and Friends

Quark's greedy exterior slowly melts away as the Deep Space Nine series progresses. Early on he is known as a selfish and greedy Ferengi who would do anything for profit. But he grows to respect and maybe even care about the welfare of certain people and can be counted on to do the right thing in a pinch.

Living on the station with him is his brother Rom and nephew Nog, Rom's only son. Rom works at the bar and has a much poorer sense of business than his brother, who frequently docks Rom's pay or cheats him out of latinum.

Quark's relationship with his family was always rocky. In stark opposition to Ferengi tradition, his mother insisted upon wearing clothing and heading the family's business ventures. His father was quite content with allowing her to keep the accounts in line, another shame to Ferengi culture. Keldar widowed Ishkar who later became advisor to the Grand Nagus, the leader of the Ferengi world.

Although Ferengi rule of acquisition number 21 says "Never place friendship before profit.", Quark developed a few strong friendships during his stay on Deep Space Nine. One was with security chief Odo, his constant foil. Odo was always on his heels ready to usurp his latest illegal scheme. The two developed a mutual respect for each other and grudgingly became friends.

Ferengi Rules of Acquisition

Almost every Ferengi in the Star Trek series has quoted a rule of acquisition at least once. Quark has quoted many of them on several occasions. Here are just a few of his more famous quotes.

Rule 18 - A Ferengi without profit is no Ferengi at all.
Rule 34 - War is good for business.
Rule 35 - Peace is good for business.
Rule 286 - When Morn leaves, it's all over. (Quark invented this rule, referring to one of his best customers, a trader named Morn.)

See the full list of the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition.