ushernet Chapter 24: Business Talk
Chapter 24: Business Talk
Chapter 24: Business Talk
Thirty minutes later, Matthew arrived at the front gate entrance of Fitzwilliam Estate.
The guards that he encountered from his previous visit approached them and knocked at the window.
Matthew rolled down the window and spoke.
"I'm here to see Mr. Fitzwilliam to discuss business purposes," Matthew replied.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
"Do you have an appointment?" the guard asked.
"This time I don't have one," Matthew replied.
"Then I will have to ask you to leave sir, only those individuals that has an appointment with Mr. Fitzwilliam are allowed to enter the premises..."
"Uhm, excuse me!" Raikes chimed in, leaning forward to catch the guard's attention. "I'm Mr. Fitzwilliam's lawyer, Tom Raikes. I can assure you, our visit is directly related to urgent business matters. Please inform Mr. Fitzwilliam that I am here with Mr. Hesh."
The guard's eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. After a moment's hesitation, he gave a curt nod. "Wait here," he said, stepping away from the car to speak into a telephone that was on the guard house.
Matthew tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he waited for the guard to finish speaking with the other end of the line.
A few tense minutes later, the guard returned. "Mr. Fitzwilliam has agreed to see you both," he announced, his tone more respectful now. "Please proceed to the main house."
"Thank you," Raikes said with a polite nod.
Matthew pressed down on the accelerator, and the automobile rolled forward through the grand iron gates of the estate.
"I'm sure we do now," Fitzwilliam chuckled. "Do you already have a business proposal?"
"I don't have one on paper but I can confidently tell you my proposal in words," Matthew.
"Okay...let's hear it," Fitzwilliam leaned forward, his interest piqued.
"Mr. Fitzwilliam," Matthew began, "as you said, the world currently relies on horse-drawn carriages and steam locomotives for transportation. However, these methods have significant limitations. Horses tire, require constant maintenance, and contribute to pollution on the city streets. Steam engines, while efficient for trains, are cumbersome, expensive, and restricted to tracks."
Fitzwilliam leaned back in his chair, nodding slightly. "Yes, yes, everyone knows that. And you believe that your automobile was the answer for all that problem."
"I do sir," Matthew confirmed confidently. "My automobile will revolutionize this world. Imagine instead of horses, it would be automobile driving on the streets without leaving a poop that is not only unsanitary but a health hazard. We want a civilized city, country if you prefer, and if that is the goal then automobiles are the answer for that problem. This is a huge business opportunity for you, Mr. Fitzwilliam as I have heard that the government is also getting frustrated by the situation. Cities are growing, populations are increasing, and the waste left behind by horse-drawn carriages is becoming not just a nuisance, but a crisis. There are talks of sanitation reforms and potential bans on horse traffic in heavily congested areas. And this is where we come in."
Fitzwilliam's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Go on," he urged, now fully engaged.
"With my automobile, we can present a solution that aligns perfectly with the government's concerns," Matthew explained. "No waste, less congestion, and a cleaner, more efficient mode of transport. This isn't just about luxury or novelty; it's about necessity. And we have the opportunity to be the first to introduce it on a large scale."
Raikes, who had been listening intently, gave an approving nod. "He's right, sir. The cities are becoming overwhelmed. The authorities would be inclined to support anything that alleviates the growing mess."
Fitzwilliam swirled the brandy in his glass thoughtfully, a slight smile playing on his lips. "And you believe you can convince the government officials to adopt this... horseless carriage of yours?"
"Absolutely," Matthew said with conviction. "With your connections and influence, we can get the necessary endorsements and permissions to start deploying automobiles in the most congested areas first. Imagine the publicity, sir—your name attached to a revolutionary solution that changes the face of modern transportation."
There was a moment of silence as Fitzwilliam studied Matthew's face, looking for any sign of doubt. Finding none, he leaned back, a satisfied grin forming.
"You're quite the salesman, Mr. Hesh. Okay, how much are you going to need?"
Matthew answered without hesitation. "Two million florins."