Machinery of Growth

Ernest visited one of Helmarte's busiest authorized garages unannounced on a Tuesday morning. The shop manager dropped his clipboard onto a greasy bench the moment he recognized him.

"Lord Teucher! I had no warning—if I'd known, we would have cleaned up—"

"Don't worry about the floor," Ernest said, waving a hand. "I just want to watch how you handle a regular customer."

A few minutes later, an owner drove in with a Model One complaining of an irritating metallic rattle coming from the front bulkhead.

Ernest stood quietly in the corner, watching the mechanic work. The man knew his craft; he listened carefully, lifted the bonnet, probed the valve train, checked the timing gear, and eventually spotted a loose engine mounting bolt. He wrenched it tight, checked the clearance, and started the engine. The rattle was gone.

The owner paid his fee with a smile and drove away happy.