The Legendary Junkmaster

Chapter 25: Brand Identity (5)

"So, how much have we made so far?" Harry asked after taking a seat at the table now that Jason had allowed him to move.

"I think you mean, how much have I made so far," Jason smirked at Harry's frown from having been denied a claim to any of Jason's credits that he had earned so far. "Around one hundred copper credits since you asked so nicely."

Harry felt like he was having a heart attack as the shock of the sum ran through his mind. "One hundred! Are you kidding me?"

Harry had to hold his mouth shut with his hands to stop it from hitting the floor in his surprise. His mind raced as he considered how many years he would have to slave away for to have that much cash on hand. The most he ever had in savings at any point was sixty copper credits. Which allowed him to buy the right to live in this ruined apartment!

If he had known that you could make that much so quickly by inventing things, then he would have given up on scavenging a long time ago! Of course, there was also the issue of actually having some talent in creating new useful things. Harry frowned as he thought about it some more. Jason had already mentioned that he wanted to create his own business, but Harry still had some doubts.

"How many other projects do you have that you think you'll be able to finish soon?" Harry asked after getting over the initial excitement. After all, at his core, he was all about making money. His grandson was an excellent opportunity for that. However, that was only if Jason could realistically keep coming up with new things.

Plenty of people had tried to start a business in Highrise over the years in the hope of creating a better life for themselves. Out of the hundreds of stores that had appeared over that period, there were only two or three still around today. This proved how cutthroat business could be in their town.

"Hm, I have a few that could have a lot of value," Jason replied carefully after some thought.

"I hate to break it to you, but if you're just selling weapons and things like this tool, you won't go far." Harry tried and failed to keep his doubts from coming out in his tone. "These things will last quite some time after someone buys them. So it would be a long period before you ever saw a return customer."

"Don't worry about that. Most of my new projects are single-use items that can be useful to almost anyone. So repeat business shouldn't be an issue." Jason's confident tone eased some of Harry's worries. Though it was still a lot of faith, he would have to invest in Jason.

"Alright, let's say you have all that shit handled. Do you even know how much it's going to cost to get set up? Not only do you have to pay for the right to use a store, but you'll also have to buy materials. I can tell you right now that even a small store will cost eighty copper credits." Harry tried to convey how expensive this undertaking would be just to increase his own gains if he supplied any funds for the venture.

However, it seemed like his plan had backfired when Jason released an ecstatic smile. "Is that all? Haha, here I was worried that I'd actually have to ask you for money!"

Harry wanted to puke blood at Jason's casual words of being able to spend eighty copper without much thought. Harry had believed, wrongly at that, that the items Jason intended to make would be expensive component-wise. He had used the multi-purpose tool as his basis for that calculation since he knew how much it cost to buy.

With a few quick calculations, Harry had assumed that Jason would only be able to make two or three copies with his remaining funds. Thus, forcing him to give more benefits to Harry for investing his own money into the business. Of course, Harry had no idea that Jason's next creations on his list would use natural plants as the core components.

It would not cost Jason much to buy anything that he would actually need to store them. Jason felt relieved to discover that he could potentially keep all the profits to himself. However, he still needed his grandfather to actually run the store and for his experience of the different areas outside of Highrise. However, what his Gramps did not know could not hurt Jason during their negotiations.

"Oh, so are you saying that you don't actually need anything from me?" Harry became worried when he heard Jason's reply and began to break out in a nervous sweat. This opportunity was just too good to let it slip away! If Jason was successfully and Harry could lay a claim on some of the income, he could sit back, relax and enjoy the high life!

Jason deliberately took his time before answering. He wanted Harry to feel the pressure a bit more to get him to accept the role of running the store instead of hiding away and enjoying his income. Otherwise, Jason would be forced to hire someone to watch over the shop whenever he had to go in search of materials!

"Hm, well. Since we're family and all. I guess I could part with some income. What sounds good to you?" Jason did his best to sound casual and like he was offering Harry an opportunity instead of trying to fleece him of his cash and time. By forcing Harry to make an offer first, Jason would be able to figure out how far the old man would be willing to go.

Harry seemed to be in a daze as a pained expression crossed his face as he considered the question. If he offered too little for what he asked in return, then he might end up losing his only ticket to a life of wealth. Harry did not have much in the way of money. Years of saving and spending as little as possible only saw his savings sitting at forty copper credits right now.

This put him in something of a dilemma. Even if he offered his entire savings, it would not even match half of the amount that Jason himself would invest in his own business. This made his contribution seem extremely small. Considering Jason had made such an extravagant sum in a short time, then forty copper credits might seem worthless in his eyes.

"How much thirty copper credits buy me?" Harry asked as he swallowed a lump of saliva. This was as much as he could offer. He still had to purchase food and some other things, so he could not realistically give up everything right now.

Jason was a little taken aback by this offer. He had never expected Harry to have saved up that amount. 'Damn geezer. We could have been eating some better food all this time!' Jason waited for his initial anger to dissipate before he realised just how little they had. However, no matter how he thought about it, thirty copper credits were not worth much compared to what he could make.

"Hm. It's not enough." Jason eventually answered, shattering Harry's hopes in one fell swoop. "How about this. I'll give you ten per cent of the earnings for your thirty copper if you also run the store. Not a bad deal, right?"

Harry caught a glimmer of hope at this offer. He knew his money was not worth much to Jason now. So he would not blame him if he completely cut him off. Beyond that, the offer was tempting. The hours would be better than what he usually spent scavenging, and he would not have to put himself in danger. The only issue was that he would have to rely on Jason's skills to really earn anything.

"How about this." Jason began when he saw Harry's hesitation. "If you earn less than fifty copper credits in the first month, then I'll make up the difference."

Those words obviously sweetened the deal, but it still would not make up for his savings that he was willing to part with. After all, although fifty copper was ten more than what he usually earned each month, by the time he removed his costs of living, he would only have fifteen remaining.

"Two months. Make it the first two months, and you have a deal!" Harry gritted his teeth as he made his final offer. No matter what, he absolutely had to recover the cost of his investment if things went tits up.

"Ok. You have a deal." Jason sighed as if Harry had won a victory against him. "Let's get everything sorted today so that we can open by the end of the week."

Harry was elated that he managed to strike a deal with Jason. A wide grin broke out on his face as he thought about the money he was about to make! However, his expression became complicated shortly after that as he remembered the nightmare of his grandson working him to death