章 27: The Oil Exploration Company
March 17th, 1881
"Hudson Station! We have arrived at Hudson Station!"
The conductor's voice echoed through the steam-filled platform as the train hissed to a stop. Matthew Hesh gathered his belongings and stepped off the locomotive, the heavy chest containing ten thousand florins securely in his grip.
Matthew made his way through the crowded station, the clamor of vendors hawking their goods, passengers rushing to their trains, and the occasional shout from a frustrated porter filled the air. He kept a firm grip on the chest, knowing the value of its contents would make him a prime target for thieves in a place like this.
Exiting the station, he was greeted by the sight he had anticipated — the streets of Hudson were a chaotic mess. Horse-drawn carriages clogged the cobblestone roads, their wheels splashing through puddles tainted with waste. The odor of manure was overwhelming, and flies swarmed in thick clouds. Matthew wrinkled his nose in disgust as he carefully navigated through the filth.
"This city is in desperate need of change," he muttered to himself. The sight only reaffirmed his conviction that automobiles were the future. Not only would they eliminate the need for horses but also drastically improve the quality of life in cities like Hudson.
He had no time to waste. Matthew needed to secure a local team for the next phase of his venture. Fortunately, there was a firm based in Hudson he had read about in a newspaper advertisement — Dalton & Co. Oil Exploration, a relatively new company specializing in setting up drilling operations. They were a startup, but they had quickly gained a reputation for their efficiency and willingness to take on high-risk projects.
After a brisk walk through the bustling streets, he reached the address listed in the advertisement. The building was a modest brick structure, tucked between a blacksmith's shop and a dusty tavern. The sign above the door was simple, but it bore the name Dalton & Co. Oil Exploration in bold lettering.
Matthew took a deep breath and pushed through the door, entering a dimly lit office that smelled faintly of oil and leather. Behind a wooden counter sat a woman with auburn hair tied in a neat bun, scribbling notes in a ledger. She looked up as he entered.
"Good afternoon," Matthew greeted, trying to appear as confident as possible. "I'm here to speak with Mr. Dalton. It's about a potential business collaboration."
The woman's eyes flickered to the chest Matthew was carrying before she nodded. "Mr. Dalton is in his office. Do you have an appointment?"
"No, but I believe he'll be interested in what I have to offer," Matthew replied smoothly.
After a moment's hesitation, she nodded and rose from her seat. "Very well, please wait here." She disappeared through a door at the back of the room.
Matthew could hear muffled voices from behind the door, followed by the sound of footsteps approaching. A moment later, the door swung open to reveal a tall, broad-shouldered man with graying hair and a thick mustache. He wore a workman's shirt under a well-worn vest, and his eyes were sharp with curiosity.
"Name's Dalton," the man said, extending a hand. "I hear you've got some business to discuss?"
"Matthew Hesh," Matthew introduced himself, shaking Dalton's hand firmly. "I'm looking to hire an experienced team for an oil drilling venture. I've secured initial funding, and I'm ready to move quickly."
Dalton raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Okay…you want to find the black gold huh? You came to the right place. Let's talk to my office."
Dalton led Matthew down a narrow corridor, the smell of oil and machine grease growing stronger with each step. The office was modest but functional, with maps pinned to the walls and blueprints scattered across a large wooden table.
Dalton gestured for Matthew to take a seat across from his desk. The older man settled into his own chair with a creak, leaning forward with an intense, no-nonsense gaze.
"So, Mr. Hesh," Dalton began, folding his hands on the desk. "You've got my attention, but if you're looking to strike oil, you'd better have more than just money to throw around. What's your plan?"
Matthew set the heavy chest down on the floor beside his chair and leaned forward, meeting Dalton's gaze with a steady confidence. "I have secured a partnership with Mr. Fitzwilliam himself. He's agreed to invest heavily once I strike oil. What I need now is a capable team to begin drilling. I already have potential sites identified, and I'm ready to fund the initial exploration phase."
Dalton's eyebrows shot up at the mention of Fitzwilliam. "Fitzwilliam, you say? If someone like you had connection with a man as exalted as Fitzwilliam, then I have to treat you seriously. But let me first remind you of how our business model works. So we offer you our expertise to drill the oil you think that had a reserve in it, my men dug that land, oil sprang up, the profit generated by that oil will be shared 70:30. Seventy percent for you as our client, and thirty percent for us."
"I have no problem with that model," Matthew said.
"In that case, let's discuss the site that you'd want us to dig, where is it?"
Matthew was silent for a moment before revealing the location. "It's in West Tejas."
"West Tejas…" Dalton repeated. "What makes you think that there will be oil in that location?"
"Your service is to dig the oil I told you to dig, not to question my judgment," Matthew replied firmly, locking eyes with Dalton.
"Hoh," Dalton mused. "That's some tough words from a young man like you…"
"I don't need your comment about my character, I need you to do what I asked you to do, that's all," Matthew said.
Dalton let out a deep chuckle, clearly entertained by Matthew's bluntness. "I like your spirit, Hesh. Most men your age don't have the guts to speak to me like that. Alright, we'll get everything ready."
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