012: DEMO DAY
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With the call for tenders being put out, the prototype completed, and the engine design in a somewhat finalised state, I decided it was time to get investors for this project.
My funds were starting to dry up, my family had loaned me 50,000 Soren. It cost 26,000 to build the prototype and another 10,000 to put out the ads across the country. This left me with 14,000 in the bank. I’d spoken with the Merchants’ guild and paid 5,000 to get a list with the contact details of all the most prominent merchants and nobles of the country.
I managed to convince Amelie to sit down and help me write 3,000 handwritten letters over two months. The materials and delivery of the letters cost me 4,500 Soren. Leaving me with a meager 9,500 Soren. Meager, in this case, was relative to the project. Amelie earned 12,000 Soren annually. Commoners could expect to earn between 7,000 and 8,000 annually. Amelie was a well-paid maid.
Our two months spent writing were starting to pay off; from the three thousand letters sent, we received 376 replies agreeing to meet with me for a demonstration of the prototype. We sent another round of letters with a set of dates the potential investors could meet us on. This cost me 752 Soren (leaving me with 8,748 left in my account). This round of replies had 137 answers confirming the days the investors were able to meet me.
The main reason for using 2 rounds of letters was to weed out the number of investors who were invested in the boring machine.
I’d chosen three demonstration dates, the 6th, 9th and 12th of September, 1156. Each demo was three days apart.
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One by one, my potential investors stepped into the room, guided by Amelie, who was wearing a more formal version of her maid uniform. It resembled a suit more than a dress.
Count Sonnenberg and Cecily were among the potential investors. The count seemed pleased to be in my study, he expressed this with a brief nod when I first made eye contact with him as he entered the room. There were a total of 36 attendees from the first two demos, with this one having an additional 12. Making the final attendance 48.
Once all my invitees were seated, I began my presentation.
“Iron mining is a very labor intensive industry. A year ago, I visited the Eisenwerk Iron mines. There, I experienced a cave collapse. It was traumatic for me, sure, but do you know who suffered the most?” I paused, took a deep breath and continued, “It was not us, the owners of the mines, it was not you, the big wigs who run the metal industry, but the little guy. Three unfortunate souls lost their lives that day. They had families, they had children and wives to go home to. But they couldn’t that day.”
I stopped speaking and walked towards a box that was placed in front of my blackboard and pulled off the white sheet of cloth covering it, revealing my prototype crusher head. “This is a boring machine. A machine designed with the sole purpose of digging tunnels with ease. If you put less effort into digging, you have more time to ensure that your people are safe.”
I gestured for one of the miners who was standing in the corner of the room to come towards me. He did as he was instructed beforehand and bought a rock from the mines with him. “You might notice the rock that’s only the display here. Well, I’m going to show you how the boring machine will appear in action.” I snapped, and the miner began to spin the crank whilst pushing the crusher head towards the rock. It cut through the rock like it was butter, creating a pile of smaller stones on the table.
“Notice how Fredrick isn’t straining himself,” I said, pointing towards the miner who was using the prototype with ease. “This is thanks to an innovation I call the Engine.” I pulled off the white cloth that was covering my blackboard.
“For this miniature prototype, I am using a manually cranked mechanism, however, it uses the same mechanism as the final design.” I stepped to the right, letting the audience get a good look at a simplified version of my 2-stroke engine. “I believe that my Engine is a massive leap in technology that can revolutionise any industry. That’s where you come in. The investors. I need your help to bring this concept to life.”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
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I had my invitees then be led into the ballroom, where lunch was made available, though this time was more for me to talk to any interested parties and schedule meetings to hash out the details.
I got myself a glass of apple juice and started interacting with my guests. My first and most obvious starting point was Cecily and the count. Walking over, I found the father-daughter duo locked into what seemed like a riveting conversation. Before I could enter the conversation, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around to see a man in his mid-40s; Mr Falkenstein, a machine maker turned merchant who made high quality wood-working tools.
“Young man, may I speak with you in the hallway? I want to speak with you about the machine.”
Agreeing to Mr Falkenstein’s request, I guided him to the hallway, which was eerily silent for a weekday afternoon.
“Mr. Falkenstein, I’m a big fan of-” I was cut off by a sharp pain across my cheek.
“How dare you waste our time spinning tall tales?” Falkenstein was beet red. “Your demonstration was nothing but smoke and mirrors.” He yelled, pushing me against the wall.
“I-” No words came out of my mouth.
“KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT, BOY,” Falkenstein yelled, raising his hand to slap me, and I instinctively closed my eyes. I expected pain, but none came.
Opening my eyes, I found the hand that was raised to slap me, still in the air. Stopped by someone with a very firm grip.
“Harming a nobleman, no matter how young, is still a crime.” It was Count Sonnenberg.
“C-Count S-” Falkenstein stuttered, only to be silenced by the Count
“Don’t you dare utter my name with that mouth of yours. I’ll have your tongue cut off.” The Count said, flinging the man to the floor. It hadn’t occurred to me earlier, but the man was large. He stood at around 6 foot 4 inches and had a broad build. Cecily seemed tiny next to him.
Falkenstein ran.
“Are you okay, son?” The count asked as he dusted my blazer. “Falkenstein is known to be a very jealous man. He can’t stand the thought of being outperformed.”
“I see.”
“Shall we head back into the dining hall? I want to introduce you to a few people.”
Agreeing with the Count, I followed him into the dining hall, where two other men (and Cecily) were seated, waiting for the two of us. The count gestured for me to sit next to him and Cecily, and I obliged, taking the seat opposite to Cecily.
“Gentlemen, I’d like you to meet Alberich Von Eisenwerk. But you knew that already.” The count paused and gestured to the first man, “This is Mr. Rudolf Weidemann. A seasoned investor with a background in metallurgy.” Rudolf nodded, acknowledging the Count. The second man was introduced, Gerhard Wagner, the owner of a successful workshop that made high-quality wagons.
“I’m pleased to meet you two. I already know Cecily and the Count.”
“Friends in high places,” Gerhard replied, raising his glass to me.
“That machine of yours is truly remarkable, but you have to tell me about that Engine of yours. I’m intrigued.” Rudolf said, finishing off his drink.
I spent the next hour with the group chatting about the metal industry, machine making and an assortment of other things. Eventually, we started talking about funding.
“So, my boy. What kind of money do you need to build this machine of yours ?” the Count asked.
“We’re looking at nearly 150,000 per machine, but they can sold at 250 to 300,000.”
“That sounds reasonable, but surely you need more.”
“I was about to get to that. I require funds to work on the engine. Currently, I have a gearbox, which does half the work, but I need to build the thing that lets the machine run.”
I spent the rest of the afternoon discussing finances with the three men. We finally agreed that each Count Sonnenberg, Gerhard and Rudolf would invest 600,000 into this project for a 50% ownership stake in the machine’s future profits, if any.
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By nightfall, everyone had left except for Cecily, who insisted on spending a few nights at the Eisenwerk estate. What made things odder was how she practically disappeared after the count left. She was nowhere to be found.
The next day, I met Cecily at the breakfast table; we exchanged some small talk before going about our days, and I didn’t see her till breakfast the following day. This cycle repeated for a week. She was up to something.
I decided to enlist Amelie, I needed someone on the inside.
“...So you want me to spy on the daughter of Count Sonnenberg? One of the most powerful men in the province?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, let's say I agree to this. What can I expect on my end?”
“My eternal love and respect?”
“Nice try Alber. I already have those.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot that you and Konrad are a thing.”
Amelie looked away. “No. That’s… not true?” She said, phrasing it almost as if it were a question.
“Fine, what do you want in return for spying on Cecily?”
“Make me your assistant. I want to be closer to your work. A pay bump would be nice too, but not needed.”
“So you want more work in exchange for work?”
“Don’t make me sound like a workaholic…”