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From there, Caleb already began mapping out the next steps in his head. He'd need to stock up on cheese, garlic, and chilies, more than usual. He'd need more beef too, bigger orders to keep up with demand. But that was all part of the plan. This was more than food. This was momentum, and he intended to ride it as far as it would go.
Meanwhile the logic, cold and brilliantly manipulative, dawned on the three of them. Jasper's face shifted from confusion to dawning admiration.
"You're… you're right Caleb," Jasper said, a slow grin replacing his frown. "We make 'em wait. We make 'em hungry for it like you just said."
"Exactly," Caleb nodded. "So tomorrow, business as usual. The old menu only. When people ask, you tell them, 'Sorry, supplies are delayed. Should be here the next day.' Let a little frustration build. It'll make the payoff even sweeter."
Simon and Jessie nodded, impressed by the strategy. It was a level of cunning they hadn't considered.
"So," Caleb concluded, clapping his hands together and breaking the serious mood. "We've got a plan. For now, let's get through the rest of today. Simon, back on the grill. Troy, those fries aren't gonna fry themselves. Jessie and Jasper, get back out there and take orders. And remember," he said, his eyes glinting, "not a word about the new menu until the day after tomorrow. Let the rumor mill do the work for us."
The team sprang back into action, energized by the new plan and the success of the test. Caleb returned to the grill, the heat warming his face.
On the other hand, on outside the cheers and chatter hadn't died down. Some customers were still talking about the samples, describing the taste to their friends in exaggerated detail. "That chili one lit my tongue on fire, but in the best way!" one ranch hand exclaimed. "I swear, that cheese on fries, ain't never had anything like it," another insisted.
The words floated in through the open windows, and Caleb caught them, his grin widening. This was exactly what he wanted. Hype, curiosity, and demand all working in his favor.
He turned back to the grill, flipping another patty with practiced ease, and murmured under his breath, "Day after tomorrow, this town won't know what hit 'em."
Slowly, Caleb helped Simon and Troy in the kitchen until all of their burger and fries supplies were used up. They worked with practiced rhythm now, though sweat clung to their brows, and the air was thick with the smell of sizzling oil and charred beef.
By the time the last patty was pressed, and the final basket of fries pulled out of the fryer, Simon gave a long exhale of relief. Troy leaned against the counter, tired but satisfied. With that, Jasper poked his head into the kitchen, sweat on his brow, and sighed in relief.
"That's it, boss," Jasper said. "We're out of stock."
Caleb wiped his hands on a cloth and gave a nod. "Alright then. Shut it down for the day."
Jasper immediately went out to the counter window, raising his hands to the waiting customers. "Sorry folks, we're all out! That's it for today!" He repeated himself a few times, even as disappointed groans rose up from the crowd.
Some customers begged for "just one more order," but Jasper stood firm, flipping the small wooden sign beside the counter that read Closed for Today. The words drew more sighs, but also murmurs about "how good the food was" and "how they couldn't wait for tomorrow."
Inside the kitchen, Caleb suddenly felt the familiar flicker of his system interface. A glowing notification appeared before his eyes:
[Cooking Skill leveled up: Level 3 → Level 4]
Caleb's eyes widened slightly, then his lips curved into a smile. Level 4 already, huh?
He thought about it carefully, realizing it wasn't just repetition at work here. The system had always rewarded growth and innovation, and today, he had done more than just cook. He had created, introduced dishes that didn't exist in this world, that would now carry his mark.
Cheese fries, garlic burgers, cheese burgers, and the other two was common back in his past life, but here they were revolutionary. That uniqueness must have triggered the leap in skill.
He could feel it, too. His hands, his instincts, his sense of timing in the kitchen, they all felt sharper, faster, more refined. He wasn't just a good cook anymore. He was climbing into the ranks of chefs who could leave a mark on the world.
Caleb chuckled softly to himself, shaking his head. "Guess I'm really making a name out here, huh?" he murmured. The thought made him proud, but also hungry for more. Level 5 will be even better. Maybe that's when I can start doing things I couldn't even manage in my past life.
"Caleb?" Simon's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "You alright?"
"Yeah," Caleb said, pushing off the counter with a grin. "Come on. Let's clean this mess up."
After saying that, he rolled up his sleeves again and pitched in with Simon and Troy, who had already started washing the mountain of dirty plates and bowls piling up on the right side of the kitchen.
So the three of them, Caleb, Simon, and Troy, rolled up their sleeves and began washing up the kitchen tools, bowls, and plates. On the right side of the kitchen, where a tap was installed, they formed a chain. Simon scrubbed, Troy rinsed, Caleb dried and stacked.
"Boss, you don't need to be doing this," Simon said.
"Work's work," Caleb replied simply. "Besides, the faster we clean, the faster we get outta here."
Meanwhile, Jessie and Mickey had taken charge of clearing the porch and terrace outside. They carried in trays loaded with empty mugs, smeared plates, and greasy cutlery. Jessie's cheeks were flushed red from running back and forth, while Mickey kept muttering about how "these customers eat like wolves." Still, they both grinned, riding the same wave of success that had carried the whole team through the day.
"More comin'!" Mickey called cheerfully, his arms full of greasy dishes.
"Keep 'em comin'," Caleb shot back with mock annoyance, flicking a few drops of water toward him. Mickey laughed and ducked out of the way.
Jessie followed behind, balancing a tray of half-empty mugs and plates. "Last of the porch tables," she said, setting them down. "The rest is wiped clean."
"Good work," Caleb said. "We'll be done in no time."
After what felt like an hour of scrubbing and drying, the kitchen was finally clean. The sinks were emptied, tools neatly stored back in their places, and the long tables wiped spotless. Caleb leaned back, cracking his knuckles, and exhaled. "That's that."
The three men stepped out of the kitchen into the front room, where Jasper was already seated at the counter with Jessie and Mickey. He had a small pouch of coins and folded bills in front of him.
Jasper looked up as the trio entered, nodding with a grin. "Good timing. Wages are ready."
He handed Jessie her share first, then Mickey's. Both of them accepted the money gratefully. When Simon and Troy came forward, Jasper counted out their pay as well, 62 dollars and 50 cents each, the standard for a day's shift given the profits rolling in.
The four of them laughed together, pocketing their earnings. Simon gave a mock bow and said, "Thank you kindly, boss."
"Yeah, boss," Troy added with a teasing smirk, "appreciate you payin' us fair and square."
Jessie giggled, chiming in with the joke. "Boss Jasper, huh?"
Mickey whistled low, shaking his head. "Well, look at that. Ain't even Caleb no more. Jasper's the one runnin' the show."
Jasper flushed crimson. "C... Cut it out, you lot! Don't call me that, not with Caleb here."
Caleb, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, let out a hearty laugh. "What're you gettin' embarrassed for? They're not wrong. You are my right hand when it comes to managing this place."
Jasper rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, mumbling something about "just doing his job." But there was no hiding the pride glowing in his eyes.
Then, more seriously, Jasper turned to Caleb. "I already took my own share, and I also put aside the money for supplies for the next couple days. So what's left in the lockbox, it's all yours."
He reached down, pulled the heavy lockbox from beneath the counter, and slid it across the table to Caleb.
Caleb accepted it with a nod. "Good work. You all keep talking," he told them, "I'll count this out." He carried it over to the table behind the counter window.
So, while Jasper, Jessie, Mickey, Simon, and Troy sat in a circle discussing the new menus Caleb had invented, Caleb carefully opened the lock box. Inside lay a neat mix of dollar bills and coins. He stacked the bills in piles of tens, twenties, and fifties, separating out the coins as he worked. The steady clink of metal and rustle of paper filled the room.
Caleb began counting carefully, his fingers running over the notes and silver. When he finally finished, he sat back with a small, satisfied smirk.
"1,361 dollars and 50 cents," he murmured. "Not bad at all for a few days' work."
That was no small sum. Enough to keep things running smoothly, to pay wages, to buy supplies in bulk, and enough to invest further. He reached into his system inventory, storing the money safely away where no thief could ever touch it. Outwardly, though, everyone saw him tuck the money into his satchel like usual. No one needed to know his secret.
Once he was done, he shut the lockbox and handed it back to Jasper. "Keep it safe."
"Got it," Jasper nodded.
Caleb then clapped his hands together. "Alright, that's it for today. Make sure everything's stored, doors locked, windows barred. I'll be heading out first."
"You off to the saloon?" Jessie asked knowingly.
Caleb chuckled. "Yeah. Mary-Beth's waiting."
That earned a round of nods and grins. "Go on then, boss," Simon said with a wink.
"Don't keep the lady waitin'," Troy added.
With a last wave, Caleb stepped out the front door into the cool evening. The street was quieter now, shadows stretching long across the ground as lamps began to flicker to life. Valentine's familiar bustle hummed around him as he made his way toward the saloon.
The swinging batwing doors creaked as he pushed them open, and instantly the din of voices, laughter, and music spilled out. The piano man hammered away at a jaunty tune, a few cowboys clapped along in rhythm, and the smell of whiskey and smoke filled the air.
Caleb's eyes swept the room until they landed on her. Mary-Beth sat at a table to the left of the piano, her back straight, her hair catching the lamplight. In front of her sat two plates of lamb fry, two bowls of steaming meat soup, and two bottles of beer already uncorked.
The sight warmed Caleb's chest. She had thought ahead, ordered for both of them. He made his way over, his boots thudding softly against the wooden floor.
"Evenin', darlin'," he greeted warmly as he slid into the chair beside her. His hand reached up to gently brush over her head, fingers tangling in her soft hair.
Mary-Beth turned instantly, her face lighting up with a bright and beautiful smile. "Caleb," she said softly, her voice carrying a mix of relief and joy. "You're here ." Her eyes sparkled as she leaned slightly into his touch. Then, as if remembering herself, she asked, "How was today's work at the business?"
...
Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 7/10
- Agility: 7/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 7/10
- Charm: 6/10
- Luck: 8/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 4)
- Rifle (Lvl 3)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 3)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 2)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 3)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 4)
- Poker (Lvl 4)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 2)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 3)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 1)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 0)
- Crafting (Lvl 3)
- Persuasion (Lvl 2)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl 3) → (Lvl 4)
- Teaching (Lvl 2)
- Germanic Language Proficiency (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 10x10x10)
- Acting (Lvl 2)
- Alcohol Resistance (Lvl MAX)
- Treasure Hunter (Lvl MAX)
Money: 1,899 dollars and 46 cents
Inventory: 104,278 dollars and 93 cents, 7 gold nuggets, 58 gold bars, 7 silver rings, 1 Double Action, 1 Schofield, 2 large bags of jewelry, 4 gold rings, 2 silver rings, 4 silver pocket watches, 3 gold buckles, 1 gold pocket compass, 2 platinum pocket watches, 2 Colm's Schofields, and land deed (Parcel)
Bank: -