Jace: "Let's go, Riley! I think we should head to Bean me up first. We'll just work right down the list."
Riley: "Sure, whatever you want to do, babe!"
The left the Crumb and Crumble and started walking down the streets to Bean me up.
Riley: So how much were you going to be charging them?"
Jace: "$500 each. That's what Emma told them. I was going to charge them less, but she insisted on it being at least $500."
Riley: "So, you could be making another $2500 today? That's awesome!"
Jace: "I think it could be a good start. I have a pretty lady to take care of now! I thought of something you can do to help though."
Riley blushes a little. "Sure, what do you have in mind?"
Jace: "Well, I will be repairing or upgrading things. These leads are only the beginning. Patchwork told me last night we were lighting the match today to set the world on fire. There was also high praise for you, but I'm keeping that to myself..."
Riley playfully punched his shoulder. "Jerk."
Jace: "Anyway, what I was thinking was you can be my manager. Keeping things lined out, getting work coming in, collecting money, that kind of thing. Possibly helping me handle the press when things get bigger. We can split the money on it, so you don't have to work doing anything else anymore."
Riley: "That sounds like a wonderful idea! I'm in!"
Jace: "Great! Looks like the shop is on this next block. Time to get the game face on!"
Riley puts on a serious face. "Grr"
Jace laughs. "And you call me a dork!"
They entered the shop. It has an intentional sci-fi themed decor. They went up to the counter.
Riley: "Hello, we're supposed to be meeting Zeke Mallory. Can we speak with him please?"
A younger man in a lab coat turned around. Welcome aboard, brave traveler. I'm Zeke Mallory, the Chief Brew technician here. How may I deploy my expertise to enhance your beverage trajectory today?
Riley stifles a laugh in the interest of professionalism. "Hello, my name is Riley, and this is Jace. Emma had told us you would like him to upgrade your Walk in cooler like hers is."
Zeke: "Ah hah! You're on an important mission yourselves! That would be an affirmative! I'm not sure how you achieved it, but the adjustments on her cooler are out of this world! Did she tell me correctly, that you only want five hundred star notes for this upgrade?"
Riley: "That's correct. Would you still like Jace to take a look at it?"
Zeke: "Affirmative! Jace, shall I show you were the device is located?"
Jace: "If you would please. I think I can enhance your 'device' for better efficiency."
Patchwork: You can't tell he likes sci-fi at all, can you?
Zeke: "Please follow me along this vector and I will show you."
Jace followed Zeke to the kitchen, with Riley right behind. Jace trying to play along: "Wow, this is a very high tech cooler! Hopefully it doesn't become sentient after an upgrade!"
Zeke: "Well, I must go attend to any more travelers that arrive. Come find me if you require assistance." Zeke leaves the room.
Jace: "Alright, let's get to work." He walked into the cooler and took a screw out of the door. As soon as he put it back in, a spark jumped to the wall inside the cooler and it started to morph. A tablet appeared out of the wall. It appeared that the wiring to run it came in on it's own as well.
Riley: "That still seems weird to see, but it's amazing!"
Directive updated. 1 of 5 units successfully upgraded
Jace: "That's all there is to it! Want to go get Zeke?"
Riley left the room, and came back a moment later with Zeke in tow.
Zeke: "It's amazing that you have already finished! I thought it would have taken you several hours to complete this upgrade!"
Riley: "If you are satisfied, it will be $500."
Zeke looking in awe at the new components. He hands Riley the money. "This is outstanding! That was so worth the cost!"
Jace: "I'm glad you like it!" He went to give Zeke his number, but Riley stopped him.
Riley: "Here is my number. If you need anything else repaired in the future feel free to give me a call and we will get something set up!"
Zeke: "I will keep that in mind, thank you all very much!"
Jace: "I'm glad you like it. We will take our leave then."
Zeke: "Farewell, travelers! Live long and prosper!"
Jace and Riley left the shop, following the map to Grounds for Concern.
Jace: "That actually surprised me a little there, Riley. I didn't want to expose your number like that without asking you first.
Riley: "I thought it was only fitting. I'm your manager, I should probably be the one people contact to get service." They arrived and entered Grounds for Concern. It was a quaint little shop with lots of mood lighting. They walked up the counter. "Hello, I'm looking for Tasha Vellum."
A woman in her late twenties wearing a sharp business suit came to the counter. "Welcome to Grounds for Concern. My name is Tasha. Let me know how I can assist you, unless it's with emotional baggage, as we stopped offering that service last quarter.
Riley: "Hello, my name is Riley, and this is Jace. Emma had told us you would like him to upgrade your Walk in cooler like hers is."
Tasha: "Oh, that's correct. I remember that appointment for an efficiency upgrade was discussed. This way please."
Tasha lead them to the kitchen, her heels clicking on the hard floor as she walked. "I hope you can get this unit in top shape shortly. I'm so tired of TPS reports, and having it do them automatically would be a great time saver!"
Jace: "I will do my best. Riley will get your attention when the upgrade is complete."
Tasha went back to the counter. Jace pulled off the face plate for the thermostat.
Jace: "Riley, do you want to help fix this one? There are 3 screws, and I only have to put in the last one."
Riley giggles: "Sure!" She put in two of the three screws on the thermostat. "This is kinda fun!"
Jace: "It is!" He installed the last screw, a spark jumps, and the case started morphing like the previous unit. "That should do it! Go grab Tasha, if you don't mind."
Riley faking being shocked: "I'm not that kind of woman and I don't even know her that well! You'll get me sent to HR!" She tries to hold a serious face
Jace: "You dork! You know what I mean!" They both start laughing before Riley leaves to get Tasha.
Tasha: "This is wonderful! I'm sure this will have an excellent ROI!"
Riley: "That will be $500 please!" Tasha pulls out a wad of money and hands it to Riley.
Tasha: "It's been a pleasure doing business with you!"
Jace: "You as well!"
Directive updated. 2 of 5 units successfully upgraded
Riley writes down her number. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you! Here is my number, give me a call if you have any other issues.
Tasha: "Indeed. Have a wonderful day!"
Jace and Riley leave to go to Perkatory. They noticed the stone gargoyles mounted on the wall. They entered the door to a shop decorated very gothic.
Riley: "Hello, We're here to see Damien Crowley."
A younger, middle-aged man suddenly appears behind the counter. "Good evening, do you prefer coffee or blood?"
Riley coughs. "Actually, my name is Riley, and this is Jace. Emma had told us you would like him to upgrade your Walk in cooler like hers is."
Damien: "Ah yes. To upgrade where we keep the blood so it doesn't spoil."
Jace whispers to Riley: "Or milk..."
Riley shoots him a look. "If you wouldn't mind showing us the way to the cooler, we can get that done for you."
Damien: "Excellent. Follow me please." He leads them downstairs to a rather spooky basement. "Here it is, I will be back shortly." He vanishes in front of them.
Riley: "Umm, can you get this fixed and we get out of here quickly? It's kinda creeping me out."
Jace: "For sure." He gets to work. As soon as he puts the screw back in, a spark jumps and it begins to morph. The moment it finishes, Damien re-materializes in front of them again.
Damien: "I could sense that it was complete. This looks wonderful. Riley, here is $500 for you as agreed upon.
Riley tries to maintain her composure: "Umm, thank you Damien. I hope you like it!"
Damien: "Oh, I'm sure it will make operations much less dreadful. Btw, my dear, has anyone ever told you that you have a lovely neck?"
Jace steps in: "Thank you Damien, I happen to like her neck as well, but we must be going. Have a wonderful day!"
Damien: "But of course. I cannot show you out as the sun is still out. Good day to you."
Directive updated. 3 of 5 units successfully upgraded
Jace and Riley left quickly.
Riley: "I was trying to stay professional, but that place was really creeping me out! I had to get out of there. I hope this is the last time we have to go there!"
Jace: Let's head to Drip happens next. Hopefully it's not so dark!
As they walked down the road, they both began to feel much better. They arrived at the building and walked in. The interior is much more laid back.
Riley walked to the counter: "I need to speak to Kyle Jensen, please."
A young man with a backwards cap on meandered over to the counter. "Hey, my dudes, call me Kilo! Are you here for coffee, good vibes, or just a place to pretend to be productive?
"Hello, my name is Riley, and this is Jace. Emma had told us you would like him to upgrade your Walk in cooler like hers is."
Kilo: "Right, her setup was pretty sweet! Let me show you the way, man!"
Jace and Riley followed him into the kitchen.
Kilo: "So here it is man. I'm going to go back to the counter for a minute, the vibes are better there." Kilo left the room.
Jace: "This is so much better than the last place!"
Riley: "SO much better!"
Jace putting the last screw in, and the walking morphed like the others. Riley goes back to the front to get Kilo.
Kilo: "Whoa! Far out man! This is so radical! Thanks dudes!" He slips the money to Riley. "No offense, Jace, but I much prefer to give the money to bodacious babes like her!"
Riley blushes as she accepts the money. "Well thank you for the compliment, Kilo!"
Jace: "I'm glad you like it, Kilo. Here's my number if you need anything else repaired." Jace writes down his number. "Unfortunately, the vibes for us are saying we need to leave. Have the best day, Kilo!"
Kilo: "No worried, my dude! Stay excellent!"
Directive updated. 4 of 5 units successfully upgraded
Jace and Riley left the building.
Riley: "Why did you give him your number instead of mine?
Jace: "Are you kidding? I trust you, but I don't trust him to not try something with you. He was definitely checking you out!"
Riley: "I'm glad you trust me, but green is not a good color for you. I'm yours only."
Jace: "I know that. Alright, one more to go! Let's go to Brew & Bother.
Riley and Jace found the little coffee shop. It was in the smallest of corners on the shopping street. They walked inside, and noticed there wasn't nearly as much decoration on the walls as other places. They walked up to the counter, and Riley asked: "Is Marla Quince available?"
A sharp dressed woman came to the counter quickly. "Welcome to Brew & Bother, where productivity meets espresso and expectations are non-negotiable. I am Marla, please quickly state your needs."
Riley: "Hello, my name is Riley, and this is Jace. Emma had told us you would like him to upgrade your Walk in cooler like hers is."
Marla: "Ah yes, the efficiency upgrade. The kitchen is down the hall to your left. I would show you but I have far too much to do at the moment.
Jace: "Thank you, Marla. I will get the upgrade done with the utmost speed for you."
Jace heads to the kitchen with Riley behind him. "I think she wants us to get done and gone!"
Riley: "For sure!"
Jace: "Just have to put this screw in... and done!" The cooler morphed to the new upgrade.
Riley: "I'm guessing she isn't going to come back to see it, let's go out there."
Jace: "Sounds good."
Jace and Riley went back to the lobby, finding Marla.
Jace: "You're all set! Please let us know if there is anything else we can do for you."
Riley: "As per the agreement, that will be $500."
Marla: "Do you have Venmo?"
Riley: "Yes, I do." She shows her payment code. Marla scans it and gets back to what she was doing. Riley writes down her phone number on a napkin and leaves it next to Marla. "There is my number if you need any other repairs."
Marla: "Thank you, hopefully we will have a very efficient rest of the day."
Jace: "Thank you, Marla."
Jace and Riley made their way back home. They enjoyed each other's company on the way.
Riley: "This has been a very rewarding day!"
Jace: "Indeed it has!"
Directive - All necessary units upgraded.
Current repair points: 500
Congratulations host, you have obtained enough repair points to upgrade the system. Please wait for 1 hour for the upgrade to complete.