Chapter 25: The Versatile Young Master

A large number of patents, some familiar and some not, obviously couldn’t be decided in just a few minutes. Lynch reached a verbal agreement with the law firm to register the patents at the social services bureau once he was ready with the materials.

Technically, he could register the patents without a lawyer, but certain issues—like state, federal, and international patent applicability—were difficult to handle alone. To minimize loopholes others could exploit later, it was best to have a lawyer accompany him.

After arranging this, he returned to the warehouse. During the two hours he was gone, Richard and his diligent helpers had come back again.

The large boxes of coins were impressive. Though just coins, their gleaming surface immediately evoked a sense of wealth.

The biggest problem now was counting the money. Maybe they could make the coin sorter while registering the patent at the same time. Next, he wouldn’t just handle Mr. Fox’s business, but all of Sabin City’s business—a big deal.

Lynch cleaned the coins under ultraviolet light with detergent and let them dry, waiting for Mr. Fox’s people to collect them.

Before they arrived, Lynch planned to call Mr. Fox to confirm the identity of the pickup person.

Two deposits totaling over sixteen hundred Sol were made that morning, faster than yesterday. Richard was the fastest and most productive, almost equal to the output of the other two combined.

The other two helpers were slower. They asked Richard how he managed to quickly and efficiently exchange all the money in his pockets for coins. Richard just smiled and said it was from running around more.

Lynch knew his trick but kept quiet: Richard sacrificed some of his own income to get whole bills broken into coins instead of being stingy.

Although it seemed like he earned less, his speed and volume actually brought him much more income than the others.

In a relatively fair environment, a certain income gap motivates competition, which is actually beneficial.

Lynch spent the whole day at this small company. He didn’t have to be here all the time, but Vera wasn’t yet trustworthy, and some tasks only he could do. So for now, he had to work hard himself.

Every micro-enterprise’s owner often exploits themselves first. Through this process, they learn how to exploit workers properly—by practicing on themselves. This is the first solid step toward becoming a capitalist.

Later, after dropping Vera home, Lynch returned to the warehouse area, turned off the power, made a small short circuit that looked like rodent damage, then flipped the circuit breaker.

After a brief high-frequency vibration sound, the lights dimmed again. Lynch calmly went to the desk and picked up the phone.

Soon the warehouse electrician arrived—a man in his thirties with experience. He inspected the fuse box, removed the blown fuse, reported the situation to Lynch, and began searching for the short circuit.

At the same time, he handed Lynch a clipboard with standardized circuit repair forms used throughout Sabin City and the state.

Electricians rely on these forms to earn bonuses beyond their monthly salary. The more forms they submit, the higher their bonuses.

This incentive system is essentially another form of exploitation, but people prefer it to blatant ones.

While the electrician wasn’t paying attention, Lynch tore off the top form and placed it in the desk drawer, then began filling out the second form.

About ten minutes later, the electrician found the problem and said, “You have rats in your warehouse, sir. I recommend calling pest control to get rid of them, or they’ll keep damaging your wiring.”

Rodents damaging wires wasn’t uncommon; electricians were used to it. While replacing wires, he continued, “I have a business card for a pest control company. Mention my name for a discount.”

He glanced at Lynch filling the form, then replaced the wires quickly.

Afterward, he tore off a copy of the form for Lynch. The power company sometimes randomly inspects these repair forms and doesn’t always pay the full amount claimed, finding reasons to withhold part of the payment.

He also gave Lynch a business card, which Lynch accepted naturally, shaking hands as he saw him out.

Lynch didn’t pay immediately. At month’s end, the power company sends the forms to the bank for collection. The bank’s fees are less expensive and more secure than paying electricians on the spot or dealing with collections.

It was unlikely anyone would move out overnight to avoid payment. Lynch had paid a deposit and rent in advance when leasing the warehouse. Losing that small sum wouldn’t be worth it.

On the way back, Lynch stopped by a stationery store, bought a large clipboard and some oiled paper used for printing posters.

The paper was rough on one side and coated with a thin wax layer on the other. Pressing a stencil and rolling ink on it produced a blotchy ink poster.

The wax coating protected the paper from water or oil stains.

After the store owner cut the paper as requested, Lynch returned to his temporary room with the clipboard, blank oiled paper, and a blank repair form.

After a quick bite, he changed into electrician clothes he had bought earlier—common, not restricted items anyone could buy.

He placed the repair form on the oiled paper in the clipboard, lowered his hat brim, and slipped out the back of a small tavern as dusk fell.

About twenty minutes later, he appeared near Michael’s neighborhood.

He suspected that the dealer’s furtive activity the previous night signaled he was about to act. This was an opportunity and a warning.

Lynch was never a good man, at least according to himself and the judge, but he didn’t consider himself evil either. Those ruined by him had fallen due to their own greed.

He merely exploited that greed. He wasn’t good, but definitely not evil. If those people controlled their desires and impulses, no one would have been harmed.

He needed to keep a close eye on the dealer and prevent him from losing control.