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"Yup. And just like you said, they're gonna lose again. Except this time, all that money's gonna go into buildin' my venture. I even got the idea of runnin' it in multiple rounds, two or even three. Different players each round, and if someone already played? Tough luck. They don't get back in."
Jasper blinked, then laughed harder. "You're a cold man, Caleb. Real cold. But it's their fault if they think they can take the bait and stand a chance against you. You ain't just skinnin' 'em, you're boilin' the bones for broth."
Caleb shrugged, grinning. "Capitalism, Jasper. Ain't personal."
They both shared a hearty laugh yet again, the sound carrying faintly down the quiet, darkening street. The night had settled comfortably now, stars blinking into view above the Heartlands as the last of the sunlight faded.
As their laughter subsided, Caleb grew thoughtful. He turned slightly on the bench, gazing out over the lighted streaked dirt road. "Hey Jasper... been thinkin'... Should I change the name from French fries to fresh fries?"
Jasper tilted his head, intrigued. "Fresh fries? Why change it? French fries sound fancier, don't it? Sounds like some foreign delicacy. Might catch more attention."
Caleb hesitated. The real reason, that the name was historically inaccurate and might draw unwanted attention from actual French expats or scholars, wasn't something he could explain. Instead, he tapped his temple. "Just feels... off. After all, it's the name of a foreign country, and people will associate it with the name if the place and not me who founded the food. Also, I worry that if I keep it as French fries, someone higher up might start pokin' around. Might draw unwanted interest."
Jasper squinted. "Wait, you're sayin' you're afraid callin' it French fries might make powerful folk notice?"
"Yeah," Caleb replied. "Imagine if some fancy investor or noble type hears about 'French' food in the middle of a ranch. town called Valentine. Might start askin' questions. Or worse, try to copy it and steal it."
Jasper scratched his chin, clearly taking the matter seriously now. Caleb could see the cogs turning. Then Jasper's face lit up.
"How about... Gold Crispy Fries?"
Caleb blinked. "Gold Crispy Fries?"
Jasper grinned. "Yeah! They're crispy, they're golden like nuggets, and everyone loves gold. You get what I'm sayin'? It ain't French. It ain't fresh. But it sounds valuable. Mouthwaterin', even."
Caleb stared at him, then laughed in delight. "Jasper, you're a genius. That's it! That's the perfect name. Not fancy, but it's catchy. Makes people think they're eatin' somethin' special."
Jasper beamed under the praise, clearly proud of himself.
Then Caleb stood up, brushing off his coat and looking down at the younger boy with a proud grin. "Tell you what, Jasper. Since you came up with such a damn fine name... you're gonna be my first employee once this whole thing starts rollin'."
Jasper's eyes widened. "Really? You serious?"
"Dead serious," Caleb replied. "In fact... I want you to be the one who manages the public front. You'll be the face folks see while I handle things behind the curtain."
Jasper blinked, then his mouth opened, then closed like a fish. "Me? But... why not you?"
Caleb glanced around before lowering his voice. "There a big reason why not me. Because of Cornwall. If he catches wind I'm behind this, he'll burn it to the ground just to spite me. Or even be the one who steals it as he see the value of my idea becoming a business for him."
Understanding dawned in Jasper's eyes. "So you want me to front it. Make it look like my business. To keep the business safe."
"Exactly." Caleb gripped his shoulder. "You'll run the day to day. Handle customers, manage the books. I'll handle supply, recipes, and expansion. Profits split 90-10 in your favor."
Jasper's breath hitched. Sixty percent of what could be a booming business? It was more than generous—it was life-changing.
"But..." Jasper swallowed hard. "What if I mess up? What if—"
"You won't." Caleb's voice brooked no argument. "You know numbers. You know people. Hell, you just named our one of our flagship product in the future. You're ready."
For a long moment, Jasper stared at his scuffed boots. When he looked up, his eyes shone with determination.
"I'm in."
Caleb heard Jasper's response and smiled, a warm pat landing on the boy's shoulder. "Good. That's what I like to hear," he said, voice full of conviction.
He could hear the confidence in Jasper's voice, the determination in his tone. That was all the proof he needed. Jasper wasn't just a good fit, he was the perfect choice.
Jasper smiled under the praise, cheeks reddening a bit. "Thanks, Caleb... for the kind words. Really."
He stood up then, brushing the back of his trousers. "But since you just dumped a whole mountain of responsibility on me, it's only fair you treat me to dinner tonight, don't you think?"
Caleb laughed at that, throwing his head back. "Of course! Can't expect a future second in charge to work on an empty stomach. Here."
He reached into his satchel and fished out a few folded bills. "10 dollars should cover us both nicely. Get us some of those lamb chops from the saloon. I know Douglas got a fresh shipment this morning."
Jasper's grin widened as he took the money from Caleb's hand. "You got it, boss. Just wait here, I'll be back quicker than a rabbit in a thunderstorm."
He turned on his heel and walked off with a spring in his step, the wooden porch creaking beneath his boots. Caleb watched him go for a moment, amused, then settled back on the bench again.
The night sky was fully dark now, painted deep blue and speckled with stars that shimmered over the Heartlands. The breeze had grown gentler, rustling the leaves of nearby trees, and Valentine had quieted, the chaos of the day retreating into the shadows.
Caleb looked up at the sky and took a deep breath. The cool air filled his lungs, helping his mind settle as it turned to what lay ahead. He had work to do, and lots of it.
"First thing tomorrow," he murmured to himself, "get my usual exercise out the way. Then... time to start makin' moves."
He ticked it off mentally.
Wake up, stretch, calisthenics, push-ups, sit-ups. Jog around town. Get the blood pumping. From there, pay a visit to the sheriff's office or the bank, maybe both. He needed to ask how to buy a plot of land or get a stall permit. Couldn't sell fries without a place to sell 'em from.
After that? Begin building his supplier network.
First stop was Old Bob, the town butcher. Caleb could offer to buy the bad meat cuts at a lower price. Trim the fat, grind them up for patties, and cook them into something delicious. Waste for Old Bob, profit for Caleb.
Then the general store, Mr. Worths. Caleb would need bread, salt, and oil. If he could convince Worths to provide it at a steady pace and a steady price, he'd be in business.
Then the doctor's office. Doc Calloway. He'd seen creeping thyme in the windowsill garden. If the doc sold it in bundles, Caleb could stockpile it as a key seasoning for flavor. Could even sell it as a secret ingredient down the line.
And lastly, the saloon. Mr. Douglas. He'd have to approach him about a partnership, something mutually beneficial. Caleb wouldn't sell drinks, only water for now. But he could direct customers to the saloon. Or, better yet, have the saloon stock some beer and whiskey at his eventual stall. Let people get their fries and their liquor in one place.
It was a good plan.
He nodded slowly, satisfied.
And then, right on cue, Jasper's voice rang out. "Told ya I'd be back quick!"
Caleb turned his head, eyebrows raising slightly as he saw Jasper carrying two plates filled with steaming lamb chops. His stomach growled in response.
"Damn, you move fast," Caleb said, standing up as Jasper handed him a plate.
"You were thinking so hard, I thought you were gonna solve the world's problems," Jasper replied with a laugh.
They sat again, eating together beneath the stars. The lamb chops were tender and rich, seasoned just right. As they ate, they chatted about miscellaneous things, how Jasper nearly got chased by a drunk rancher last week, the time Caleb spotted a bear at a distance while riding through Cumberland, what they'd name the next menu item.
Eventually, their plates were clean. Jasper stood, stacking the dishes. "I'll bring these back. You go on and get some rest. Big day tomorrow, right?"
Caleb nodded, stretching his arms. "Right. Thanks again, Jasper. For everything."
"You kidding? I'm just gettin' started."
Jasper turned and walked back to the saloon, leaving Caleb alone once again. Caleb watched him go, then turned toward the hotel. A few minutes later, he was upstairs in his room, slipping off his boots and laying down on the bed. His mind was still racing with plans, but fatigue pulled him under quickly.
Morning light streamed through the thin curtains as Caleb stirred awake. He yawned and stretched, body still sore from the long ride two days ago but slowly adjusting back into routine.
He began with his usual morning exercises.
Stretching first. Rolling his shoulders, stretching his arms, legs, back.
Then the calisthenics. Push ups. He did forty, arms burning slightly. Then sit ups. Fifty of those, his breathing steady but fast. A few jumping jacks, some squats.
After that, he changed into his jogging clothes, simple shirt, trousers, boots. No coat yet.
He jogged around Valentine, nodding at the early risers and tipping his hat at familiar faces. A few people waved, a couple ranchers were already hitching up their wagons. By the time he got back to the hotel, sweat lined his brow and his muscles were warm.
After a quick wash, he got dressed properly, donning his coat and hat, then stepped out.
First stop as planned was the sheriff's office.
Sheriff Malloy was sipping coffee behind the desk when Caleb walked in.
"Mornin', son. What can I do ya for?"
"Mornin', Sheriff. I'm lookin' to either buy a plot of land or get a vendor's permit to set up a stall. Something for small business."
The sheriff leaned back and whistled. "Well, ain't often we get someone thinkin' about openin' something 'round here. Let me grab the town ledger."
Ten minutes later, Caleb had the info he needed. Land around the outskirts of Valentine was available for purchase, but the better route for now would be a vendor's permit, cheap, quick, and allowed him to set up in around the area of Valentine, costing him 125 dollars.
"Thanks, Sheriff."
"Best of luck, son."
Next was Old Bob at the butcher's.
The old man squinted at Caleb as he explained his idea.
"You want my bad cuts?"
"The ones you throw out or sell for cheap. I grind 'em nicely. Add some seasonin'. Make somethin' tasty."
Old Bob scratched his beard, then nodded. "You ain't stupid. I can sell you scraps by the pound. Cheaper than normal. Just don't poison anyone, y'hear?"
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Then he goes to Doctor Calloway.
"Creeping thyme?"
"Yes, sir. Need it for seasoning. Tastes better than most folks think."
Doc Calloway blinked, then chuckled. "You planning to open a restaurant or something?"
"Something like that, yeah."
"I'll set aside a bundle each week. Just leave payment at the counter."
Lastly was the Saloon.
Mr. Douglas was behind the bar, wiping down mugs.
"You got a proposition for me, Thorne?"
"I do. You don't sell the food I made and I don't sell drinks. But you do. Folks get thirsty from salty food. I send 'em your way. Maybe you can stock a few drinks at my business later. What do you say, Mr. Douglas?"
...
Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 7/10
- Agility: 6/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 7/10
- Charm: 5/10
- Luck: 6/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 2)
- Rifle (Lvl 2)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 2)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 1)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 2)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 3)
- Poker (Lvl 3)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 1)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 2)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 1)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 0)
- Crafting (Lv1)
- Persuasion (Lvl 2)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl 2)
- Teaching (Lvl 1)
- Germanic Language Proficiency (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 5x5x5)
Money: 366 dollars and 96 cents
Inventory: 1436 dollars, 2 gold nuggets, 5 gold bars, 4 silver rings, 1 Double Action, 1 Schofield, a large bag of jewelry, and 3 gold nuggets
Bank: -