"Ms. Dorothea, rest assured, since I have presented this proposition, these job opportunities are unequivocally reserved for ladies. But beyond that, I believe I can offer you even more. Imagine: I could establish additional clothing stores in various towns, employing even more women, elevating their lives. Simultaneously, I envision transforming these very stores into meeting points for women's rights gatherings, ensuring you esteemed ladies have a foothold, a sanctuary, in every town. I even propose allocating a generous 20% of the clothing stores' profits directly as your activity funds, all in your name, Ms. Dorothea. Perhaps, when you are strategizing protests or canvassing for votes, your supporters could enjoy a complimentary coffee, courtesy of Ms. Dorothea, accompanied by a not-insignificant sum for your cause?"
Dutch paused, a feigned look of regret crossing his face. "Oh, Ms. Dorothea, forgive my sluggish mind, I've spoken so much and still haven't elaborated on the benefits I intend to bestow upon my workers. I have already acquired two sprawling ranches, which I plan to convert into formidable clothing factories. Upon these lands, I shall construct a series of comfortable wooden houses for my laborers. Given that my ranch will be some distance from the city, I intend to provide an additional three dollars per month for travel expenses, on top of the initial fifteen-dollar salary. While my factory may not offer extra subsidies beyond daily meals during busy periods, I believe I can allocate a two-dollar tip each month to replace these, allowing these ladies the freedom to purchase whatever their hearts desire. Furthermore, our ranch location, being somewhat remote, necessitates a focus on safety. Therefore, I propose an extra five dollars per month for safety insurance."
Dutch's voice swelled with conviction. "This way, my workers' monthly salary will total a generous twenty-five dollars. I trust the ladies will find this remuneration more than satisfactory. Of course, Ms. Dorothea, I believe you should be responsible for selecting this initial batch of workers. After all, I am confident that female laborers recruited under your esteemed name will grant me greater favor. However, my factory has not yet truly commenced operations. I currently lack the channels to procure the necessary clothing processing machinery, nor do I have access to reliable sources for raw materials. Moreover, in smaller towns, and even here in Saint Denis, I possess no relevant connections to open stores vast enough to simultaneously host women's rights gatherings and sell clothing. Thus, our grand plan, I fear, remains riddled with difficulties. What is your assessment, Ms. Dorothea?"
Ms. Dorothea was rendered speechless, utterly overwhelmed by a tidal wave of euphoria. Her entire being plunged into a state of blissful, mental disarray. Dutch's maneuver was simply too brilliant, too ruthless. Every promise, every enticing detail, highlighted one crucial element: all benefits for women's rights, all advantages for women themselves, would be inextricably linked to Ms. Dorothea's name! What did this signify? It meant, without a shadow of a doubt, that she, Dorothea, would ascend to become the undisputed spokesperson for women's rights throughout the entire West! And her family, along with the Senator within her lineage, would undoubtedly garner overwhelming support from women when the call for women's suffrage inevitably came, all under Ms. Dorothea's burgeoning influence!
Dutch's masterful combination of incentives had utterly stunned Ms. Dorothea. It was irresistible, an unstoppable force. Neither the allure of fame nor the promise of immense profit could be denied by her. Ms. Dorothea basked in this euphoria for a long moment, then, suddenly, Dutch's words—the plan is still full of difficulties—jolted her awake. She frowned, a flicker of displeasure crossing her face.
"Mr. Arthur, oh, Mr. Arthur, your vision is truly flawless," she declared, her voice regaining its fervor. "As for the difficulties you've mentioned, I beg to differ. Since you, Mr. Arthur, wish to aid us ladies, we ladies shall, without question, aid you! Mr. Arthur, rest assured, every single issue you have raised is no problem at all! I am confident that certain ladies within our Women's Rights Association possess the influence and capability to resolve them for you!"
Her voice rising with renewed zeal, she continued, "Oh, Mr. Arthur, simply state your requirements! Whether it's raw materials or mechanical equipment, just tell us what you need, and we will undoubtedly secure it for you within two days! How about this, Mr. Arthur: right now, immediately, I will leverage all our power, all our connections, to assist you with the purchase of all the necessary equipment! Oh, Mr. Arthur, I anticipate a most pleasant cooperation. Of course, I also hope to personally inspect the location of your factory. Might I be so fortunate?"
Ms. Dorothea still harbored a lingering unease, a subconscious fear that Dutch might be nothing more than a charlatan, attempting to gain something for nothing.
"Hahaha, Ms. Dorothea, your generosity is truly boundless," Dutch chuckled, his smile radiating genuine pleasure. He reached into his pocket and, with a flourish, produced two thousand dollars, offering the substantial sum to Ms. Dorothea. "I believe these two thousand dollars should be sufficient to alleviate some of your risk."
The sight of the crisp bills in Dutch's hand instantly dispelled Ms. Dorothea's lingering doubts. Two thousand dollars was not an astronomical sum for her family, but it was certainly not insignificant. For the average person, earning twenty or even ten dollars a month, this sum represented a colossal fortune, beyond the reach of most. The fact that Mr. Arthur could casually produce such an amount banished any suspicion of trickery or deceit.
"Mr. Arthur, you are truly an astonishing gentleman," Ms. Dorothea gushed, her heart completely at ease, her face beaming with unadulterated delight as she lavished compliments upon Dutch. "I believe future generations of women will forever sing your name and regard you as a true mentor in life."
"Hahaha, Ms. Dorothea, I believe you too can bear the title of Godmother," Dutch retorted, his words making her eyes gleam with joy.
They finalized the details, exchanging contact methods. They even shared a meal at a nearby hotel before parting ways, both immensely satisfied. Watching Ms. Dorothea excitedly depart, eager to rally her forces, a triumphant smile played on Dutch's lips.
"Alright, Hosea," Dutch remarked, turning to his old friend. "The plan is on track, isn't it?"
Hosea stood beside Dutch, a step behind, still struggling to comprehend the full scope of what had transpired. "Dutch, I still don't quite understand why women's rights are so crucial to you and Ms. Dorothea. Women don't seem to possess much power, do they? Certainly not enough to warrant such importance. After all, male laborers are significantly cheaper, and far more capable." Hosea articulated the very reason for women's low status in that era: lack of work, lack of income, and therefore, lack of standing.
"Hahaha, Hosea," Dutch countered, his gaze fixed on Arthur, who stood nearby, intently scribbling in his notebook, a widening smile on Dutch's face. He could almost envision Arthur's entry. "The power of ladies is far from insignificant. Even if their status is low now, I believe that one day, they will rise. And providing aid in their time of need is far more impactful than merely decorating an existing success."
Arthur's thoughts, meanwhile, drifted: 'Today, I journeyed to Saint Denis with Dutch and Hosea. Dutch engaged in a remarkably pleasant conversation with a lady named Dorothea, and they settled a series of complex matters. I don't fully grasp Dutch's motivations, but I know this: if I were a lady, I would fight tooth and nail to secure a position in Dutch's factory.'
The very concept of women's rights, from its nascent stages, was never a spontaneous wave initiated by the common populace. The poor were too consumed by the desperate struggle for survival to concern themselves with abstract concepts like suffrage. So-called women's rights, from their very inception, served as a calculated tool for politicians in these Western nations to control public discourse. They cultivated the movement by appealing to sympathy for women, artfully positioning themselves as champions of the female cause, thereby significantly boosting votes and securing various political benefits. At the very least, this was the truth for the uppermost echelons of the women's rights movement; the middle class, caught in the crossfire, were merely the unwitting pawns. They were the ones truly deluded, even willing to sacrifice their lives for the cause. They were the genuine feminists, the ones who made the greatest contributions to the movement's ultimate success. As for the women at the very bottom, they were mere statistics. They could neither abandon their lives for their beliefs nor sacrifice money for their ideals, destined to be mere numbers in a grander scheme.
Ms. Dorothea was the orchestrator, the leader. She desired the benefits of power, and Dutch, ever the manipulator, had found his perfect ally.