New Ventures Part 2

The Monday morning planning session at Plant One looked less like an automobile conference and more like an agricultural debate.

Ernest stood by the large slate board, on which he had chalked three words:

AGRICULTURAL MOTOR TRACTION

Arthur was already sitting with his chin in his hand. "How much is this one going to cost us before we see a single riel?"

"We haven't drafted the blueprints yet, Arthur," Ernest said.

"Which means it will be twice as expensive as whatever you're about to tell me," Arthur retorted.

Hollen laughed into his mug. "He's not wrong, Ernest."

A senior draftsman raised a hand from the far end of the table. "My Lord, are we discussing steam tractors? Several estates in the western valley already hire steam threshers from English syndicates."