They looked stunned, repeatedly shouting questions at Joseph at the registration table:
"Can it really be done in ten days? My place has stunk for four years! The beams and load-bearing columns need replacing too!"
The commotion caught the attention of those still in line, who turned to ask the young men maintaining order and handing out water:
"What's that table for?"
Workers from Teams Two and Three took the opportunity to explain Lynchburg Construction Company's new service:
a ten-day renovation package that included replacing structural columns, beams, plumbing, and drainage.
Some skeptical onlookers muttered, "I heard your company cuts corners and does shoddy work."
But the staff weren't offended. They simply pointed toward Valentino's Grocery Store and said:
"We renovated that store. See for yourself — judge the quality with your own eyes."
Inside the store, a crowd of men squatted beside the glass flooring as Kevin passionately introduced new plumbing technology from New Jersey.
In another corner, near the exposed steel beam display, Charlie was also surrounded by curious townsfolk.
"These prefabricated steel beams come from the finest steel mill in Pittsburgh. Great quality, affordable prices. Most importantly, installation is quick — all construction can be done in three to five days. Just look at our grocery store! We eliminated the bulky central column. Now the entire space feels open and bright."
Heads nodded in agreement.
"Those people saying your quality sucks clearly don't know what they're talking about. Where do I place an order?"
A burly man spoke up enthusiastically.
"Rivals will always throw mud. Go out, turn right — there's a registration table. First come, first served!"
"How much does the full package cost? What's the deposit?"
Leo stepped forward, smiling:
"We divide our work into four main categories: plumbing, steel structure installation, interior renovation, and large storefront glass installation. Each can be done individually for $800.
But if you do all four — the total is just $2,999.
Deposit is a flat $500 for all projects.
The timeline is 7+3: seven days for major construction, three days for finishing touches.
In just ten days, your store will be ready for business, and your home livable again."
"My God, that's a thousand dollars cheaper than Fox Real Estate!
Charlie, can you guarantee my place will turn out like this store?"
Charlie nodded confidently.
"Absolutely. We're a responsible, legitimate company — and we even offer a two-year warranty!"
A warranty? That was unheard of in Lynchburg.
Barely had Charlie finished speaking when several men, clutching their purchases, dashed to the exit like arrows from a bow — lining up to register with Joseph.
While they were still signing up, others were already returning from the bank, waving cash, eager to put down their deposits.
Business exploded that day.
"Mr. Leo, your little shop is absolutely booming," said Harley Sutton, the regional manager of Franklin Retail.
Inside what used to be the neighbor's store, Leo spoke with Harley:
"I wanted to leave the store floor open for customers, so I appreciate you meeting me here instead."
Leo didn't want Harley to see the futuristic checkout setup inside Valentino's. Harley wasn't stupid — he suspected as much — but he understood.
Franklin Retail had seen plenty of franchisees. And those with their own 'secret sauce' sometimes refused to let company managers inside.
No problem. Franklin Retail didn't rely on retail sales or even franchise fees to make its money. Their owner played the stock market — all about scale and perception.
Recently, the company's CEO had bragged in the papers that they'd achieved full coverage in Virginia.
Then the statistics team reported that the Lynchburg franchise had quietly shut down.
That little hiccup had rattled the stock price.
Now Harley's job was to put a smile back on the boss's face.
"Leo — may I call you that? Your shop is such a smashing success that I don't even need to conduct a site inspection.
Here's the contract — just sign it.
Pay the $3,000 franchise fee, and you'll gain access to the biggest, cheapest, most complete supply network in the entire U.S."
Harley was tall, golden-haired — a textbook Anglo-Saxon pretty boy. Efficient like Tucson, smart like a fox. Leo liked dealing with this kind of man.
Two clever men, both pretending to be simpletons, shook hands.
"Pleasure doing business."
After seeing Harley off, Leo turned to help Joseph, who was swamped — the store was simply too popular.
Despite the November chill, Joseph was dripping with sweat.
Chirp chirp chirp.
A sudden birdcall pierced the air — a signal from Faith.
Leo slipped into the narrow alley where the sound came from. In a dark corner, Faith crouched, cigarette in hand.
"Any leads?"
Hans had told Leo that Ciro had bought cake for a lady. Leo suspected it could be a breakthrough.
Faith nodded, a manic gleam in his eyes:
"Boss, you were right. That guy is definitely fooling around with Mrs. Patrick.
And damn, what a lucky bastard — that woman's body… whew!"
"My dear war photographer — did you capture any battlefield footage?"
Leo handed him the spy camera.
"Of course — I even developed the film," Faith said proudly.
"Once I found out, I snuck into the photo shop overnight and quietly did the developing myself.
You know me — the owner only noticed some developing chemicals were missing. That's all."
Only then did Leo look down at the photos.
Ha — just as Faith said. Patrick was truly dragging a heavy cart with old horses.
Without a young stud to help, that mare wouldn't run far.
And these two had quite the flair.
The photos showed the back garden of Lynchburg University — the classical Athenian pavilion.
Outdoor action. So avant-garde.
"What's he doing now?"
"His boss, Patrick, got beaten into the hospital by angry farmers.
Ciro is probably by his bedside, playing nurse."
In the changing room of the town hospital, a "Do Not Disturb" sign hung on the door.
"Stay quiet and I'll let you talk," Leo said.
He removed the cloth gag. Ciro wanted to scream, but when he felt the cold metal at the back of his head, he chose discretion and muttered:
"Leo, you've gone insane! Do you know what you're doing?
I'm the mayor's most trusted man! Can you afford the consequences of this?"
Leo opened his needle case and tossed the photos in Ciro's face.
"Oh, I can tell. You're literally screwing the mayor's wife. He must trust you a lot," Leo sneered.
Ciro's hands trembled as he picked up the photos. The more he saw, the harder he shook.
He knew Patrick all too well — a true demon in human skin.
If Patrick ever found out…
The thought made Ciro's body go limp. His pants grew warm and wet.
"Boss," Faith said while pinching his nose, "the coward pissed himself and you haven't even jabbed him yet."
But Leo was a meticulous man.
He studied Ciro closely, eyes full of interest.
"Patrick's no fool.
For a guy like Ciro to handle all his dirty work, he must be made of sterner stuff.
Look — you point a gun at him, no reaction. But show him these photos?
He wets himself."
Leo closed his needle case and leaned in, his presence suffocating.
"Clearly, Patrick has some dark secrets — secrets that terrify you.
Am I right, Mr. Ciro?
I'm sure there's a lot you'd like to share with me."