The First Customer

The following week, construction of Helmarte Machine Works officially began.

Workers cleared the empty field beside the soap factory.

Surveyors hammered wooden stakes into the ground.

Carpenters erected temporary sheds.

Laborers moved timber and bricks.

The empty patch of grass that had existed for years suddenly became another construction site.

At this point, nobody even questioned it anymore.

If Ernest looked at an empty piece of land long enough, it eventually became a company.

Inside the office, Hollen was reviewing payroll documents when a knock sounded.

"Come in."

The door opened.

A clerk stepped inside.

"Master Ernest. Master Hollen."

"What is it?" Ernest asked.

The man looked slightly nervous.

"There is a visitor asking to meet you."

"Who?"

"He says his name is Ricardo Mendez."

Neither man recognized the name.

The clerk continued.