บท 27: Morgan's Inspection
Poul continued to tour Morgan around the factory. As Morgan spent more time in the factory, the more he noticed something. Aside from the wonderful machinery called the electric motor that fascinated him, the workers around were wearing the same clothes as if uniforms. A metal hat atop their head and gloves will protect them from the heat radiating from furnaces and molten metals.
It seems that Poul and Jonathan are doing a great job taking care of their workers yet despite the goodwill they showed to the workers, he was a bit disappointed.
"I invested six hundred thousand dollars in your company and you spent like half of it in uniforms, metal hats, and houses?" Morgan said, glancing at Poul who didn't even bat an eye at him.
"Mister Morgan, it was a necessary investment to keep your workers safe and strong while they do their work. Machines can't do things all by themselves, it needs men to operate. And to make the machine work continuously and produce products constantly, you have to ensure the safety of the men. Besides, we didn't spend three hundred thousand dollars, we only spent ten percent."
"Even so, you could have used that money on improving electric motors. That motor you invented, I can see, will revolutionize the manufacturing industry."
"The electric motor only needs minor changes, I don't need a big capital to thoroughly study it as I know everything about it in the first place," Poul said and continued. "I haven't patented the electric motor yet but soon I will. If James Russel will light up one full mile of Manhattan, then I'm going to electrify the factories and make the manufacturing processes automatic."
"Then make it," Morgan urged.
"We can't, we are too busy with the air brakes and the locomotive draft gear. It has to wait," Poul explained. "And despite the amazing features of the electric motor and how it will transform industries I haven't come up with a way to mass produce them."
"You could have used the money that you spent building apartments and protective equipment into researching a way of mass-producing the electric motors."
"Mister Morgan," Poul finally snapped, stopped in his tracks, and faced Morgan. "What you are asking is not easy to achieve. Electric motors run on electricity and generating electricity is not cheap as you might think. The electric distribution system James Russel is developing uses a direct current that needs one hundred thousand feet of copper wires to power ninety customers and it can only go as far as one mile."
"What do you mean?" Morgan's brows narrowed.
"It means the system James Russel is developing would never be profitable. His current peters out due to the power loss. Yeah, electric motors do wonders but imagine you have to build a power plant for every square mile? The factory owners might as well turn to steam to automate their manufacturing process."
"But you already think of a way to solve that problem right? I mean, by how you phrase your words earlier, it seems like you want to distribute it and make a profit from it, right?" Morgan guessed.
Poul was silent for a moment, giving his answer a thought before speaking it out.
"Yeah, you are right. I have a solution to the problem but I won't be giving it yet. I'm using the fame of James Russel of using electricity as an alternative source of energy. And once people are loving electricity and are looking for industrial applications, that's where we will come in. And as for the transmission? I'm going to reveal it to you soon."
"I see," Morgan rubbed his chin as he nodded his head as he understood Poul's intention by analyzing his words. "Well, if you need capital, you know where to find me."
Poul smirked. "Looks like I don't have to embarrass myself for calling you and asking for an investment. Sure thing, I will call you if we need money but based on the things going on in the company so far, we won't be needing it soon."
Morgan scoffed softly. "You strike me as a confident person, Poul. Honestly, it's the first time in my career that a person piqued my interest. You seem carefree but in your mind, you are planning something dark. A mysterious person indeed, and what's more, an Albian."
"I'm confident in my line of work, Mister Morgan. That's all you have to know. Once I guarantee something it is ensured," A smile tugged at the corners of Poul's lips. He had learned long ago that when dealing with the business world, there was no point telling Morgan anything more than needed to be told. So Morgan should be fine knowing the basics and let it be.
"This is the end of our tour. In the next two years, it will undergo major renovations and improvements as the demand for our product rises dramatically. Let me walk you back to the office."
***
At the company's office, Jonathan was engaged in a staring contest with Fiona, who had been sitting silently on the sofa since they arrived.
Jonathan let out a cough, breaking the ice that is hanging between the two. "I guess kids do find it boring going along with their father's business trip."
Fiona looked away from Jonathan's eyes, which she found strangely piercing, and answered him. "I'm not bored, I am just waiting for my father and Mister Poul to arrive. Does remaining silent count as boring to you?"
Jonathan arched a brow. What's with her sudden change of behavior? He strikes her as an innocent and adorable little kid but the way she spoke just kind of betrayed that fact. It sounded mature.
"I apologize for my presumptuous assumptions, Miss Fiona. I didn't mean to be—"
"Why are you sounding formal now?" Fiona interrupted and stood up from the sofa. "Just call me Fiona. You are older and own a company, you should use that tone when speaking to someone that is equal to you or to your client."
Jonathan blinked at this girl, is the girl in front of him right now really a child? He shook his head and sighed inwardly.
"Okay then Fiona, do you want a doll or something that you'd like to play with to pass the time? A tour around the facility usually takes a long time."
"Now you are treating me like a child," Fiona pouted.
"With all due respect, Fiona, you are a child. Physically and mentally."
Fiona rolled her eyes before returning to her seat, clearly annoyed with Jonathan.
Jonathan was confused about her attitude. He couldn't tell if she was being rude or just simply childish, however, Jonathan wasn't about to argue with someone that was younger and less mature than him, not if he wanted to get a bad reputation from her father that could affect the relationship of the business. So Jonathan decided to remain silent.
Soon Poul and Morgan returned to the office. As Fiona's gaze met Poul, it twinkled, and it made Jonathan who noticed it wonder if he was imagining things because Fiona seemed to look pleased, almost excited? Fiona is really infatuated with Poul. But he brushed off the thought, he wouldn't allow himself to entertain such a ridiculous thought of a ten-year-old girl falling in love with a man whose mental age is forty.
"I've seen the facilities and I must say I am amazed by the things you are doing. You are making huge progress that I believe would shock the world in the future. I'd say keep that up. Though I was slightly concerned about your use of funds, if it gets the jobs done, then I have no problem with it."
"Is Poul's company really that good father?" Fiona inquired but her eyes remained fixed on Poul, who now noticed her gaze
and frowned.
"Yes sweetie," Morgan replied and patted her on the head. "We are going now. Thank you for keeping an eye on my daughter while I'm away, Mister Jonathan."
Jonathan bowed his head politely. "Your daughter is a very interesting individual. She is well-mannered and well-behaved. I'm sure she'll grow to be an amazing woman in the future."
"Thanks for the compliment, Mister Jonathan," Fiona said with a curtsy.
Jonathan smiled warmly but deep inside, he was annoyed at the brat. She is acting more politely compared to the earlier exchanges.
As Morgan and Fiona left the office, Poul flicked Jonathan's head with a finger on his forehead, snapping him out of his daze.
"Are you okay?"
"It's nothing. So, what did Mister Morgan say?"
"He is interested in the motors and was disappointed by how we handle our money. Insinuating that investing for the well-being of your workers is a waste of money that can be used for research and development."
"So that makes him a jerk. He is an investor, he should know better than us that taking care of your workers is important as they are the driving forces of the company."
"Well, there's no point talking over that. Our job is to make him money, so let's do that. The deadline is coming soon, do you know what that means?"
"It means money will be coming soon to our pockets," Jonathan grinned.
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