The Machine Shop

Three days later, Hollen learned to fear silence.

Particularly Ernest's silence.

The young businessman had spent the last three mornings carrying a notebook around the factory while saying almost nothing.

He observed workers.

Measured empty spaces.

Counted windows.

Measured walls.

Made calculations.

Then wrote something down.

Then measured something else.

It was deeply unsettling.

Finally, Hollen found him standing beside the engine house.

The steam engine's flywheel turned steadily.

Hiss.

Clank.

Hiss.

Clank.

The chimney released a steady stream of smoke into the morning sky.

Ernest looked at the engine with the same expression he wore when planning something expensive.

Very expensive.

Hollen immediately became suspicious.

"What are you doing?"

"Thinking."

"Oh no."

Ernest looked over.

"What?"

"That's never good."