Sterling Vent jogged away, lie‑detecting smartwatch on his wrist like it was the Infinity Gauntlet.
Patchwork's voice purred in Jace's head: $9.60 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $617.60.
Wealth: $2,278.25 → $2,334.75
Jace muttered, "Nice to know my brain now has a built‑in auditor."
Don't knock it, Patchwork replied. You'd lose a shoe budget to late fees otherwise.
---
1. Big Hank's BBQ Motor
The smoky scent of mesquite hit before Jace saw Big Hank Poulter lumbering over with a battered rotisserie motor under one arm.
"She's stalling out on me," Hank said. "Can't keep ribs turning if I'm kicking it every ten minutes."
Riley peered at it. "Looks like a coil problem. Maybe thermal cutoff, too."
Patchwork: Coil, cutoff, and… let's throw in a smoke‑scent sensor that chimes when meat's about to burn. Because I care.
Jace grinned and got to work. Ten minutes later the coil was rewound, a new cutoff soldered in, a cooling fan added, and a blue spark from Patchwork sealed the deal. The motor purred — and chirped a soft "ding‑ding‑ding" when Hank held a rib near it.
"You're a lifesaver," Hank said, slapping $100 onto the table.
Patchwork: $17.00 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $634.60.
Wealth: $2,334.75 → $2,434.75
---
2. Crepe Griddle
Word spread fast. A crepe vendor appeared with a griddle whose temp control had a mind of its own.
As Jace swapped the control board, Patchwork whispered: New thermostat, plus a holographic recipe projector when it hits cooking temp. People eat with their eyes.
When the morph finished, a tiny 3‑D projection floated above the surface: Classic Strawberry Crepe — Ingredients Listed.
The vendor clapped her hands. "This is going to be a hit!"
She paid $75.
Patchwork: $12.75 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $647.35.
Wealth: $2,434.75 → $2,509.75
---
3. Smoothie Blender
Next up was a smoothie cart owner with a bearing‑shot blender base.
"Fix it, and maybe make cleaning it less of a nightmare," she said.
Patchwork: Done. Self‑clean cycle incoming.
Fresh bearings installed, a spark jumped… and a new dial position appeared: Clean. A quick test cycle flushed, oscillated, and spat every seed out in seconds.
The vendor paid $75.
Patchwork: $12.75 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $660.10.
Wealth: $2,509.75 → $2,584.75
---
Rick's Shadow
While Riley filed receipts, Rick Blanner materialised at the far end of the row, eyes locked on Jace's stall.
Here comes the human pop‑up ad, Patchwork muttered.
Rick stopped short of the table. "Looks like business is good. Shame if something… shut it down."
Riley stepped forward, voice sharp. "If you're here to harass my partner, leave."
Rick's gaze flicked to Hank, lurking nearby, then he smiled thinly. "We'll talk again," and walked off.
Patchwork: He's bluffing. Make him fold.
---
4. Coffee Grinder
A roastery owner hustled over with a misaligned motor in his grinder.
Jace realigned it, replaced a worn spacer, and Patchwork added: Auto‑calibrate grind size to bean roast level.
The man's jaw dropped when a readout on the grinder displayed: Light roast detected — setting to medium‑coarse.
Payment: $60.
Patchwork: $10.20 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $670.30.
Wealth: $2,584.75 → $2,644.75
---
5. Mini‑Fridge
A florist's display fridge had a defrost glitch. Jace replaced the timer module; Patchwork snuck in: LED ticker with random flower trivia. The florist laughed as "Gerberas symbolize cheerfulness" scrolled across the front.
Payment: $40.
Patchwork: $6.80 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $677.10.
Wealth: $2,644.75 → $2,684.75
---
6. Espresso Machine Wand
Finally, a café owner from up the block brought in a leaky steam wand. New seal installed, Patchwork added: Trumpet fanfare plays at optimal steam pressure.
The owner pulled a cappuccino and grinned at the triumphant brass flourish.
Payment: $56.00.
Patchwork: $9.52 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $686.62.
Wealth: $2,684.75 → $2,740.75
---
Closing Time
As they packed up, Riley leaned against the table. "Six repairs, six happy customers, six ridiculous bonus features."
Patchwork: And a ledger that's finally trending in the right direction.
Jace slung the tool bag over his shoulder. "Tomorrow, let's see if we can double it."
Ambitious, Patchwork said. I like it. And tomorrow, I might just tell you the little secret that makes today look quaint.
Riley smirked. "Guess we'd better get some sleep then."
---
Final Status
Technician: Jace Thorn
RP Total: 120
Wealth: $2,740.75
Pending Taxes: $686.62
Jace was halfway through unlocking the apartment when a tinny trumpet fanfare erupted behind him.
Riley froze. "…Was that—?"
Patchwork chuckled in his head. Ah, the sweet sound of my espresso wand hitting optimal steam pressure.
They turned. Down the street, the café owner who'd brought that machine in was standing on the sidewalk, yanking futilely at the power cord. The fanfare blared again, followed by a burst of steam that shot across the shop's front window like a fog machine on steroids.
"Patchwork," Jace muttered, "tell me you didn't—"
I may have… enhanced the 'optimal pressure' alert into a full theatrical effect. Apparently it also works as a neighborhood alarm.
A couple passersby clapped. One took a video.
Riley smothered a laugh. "You realize this could go viral, right?"
"Yeah," Jace said, already hearing Rick's voice in his head, "for all the wrong reasons."
---
Damage Control
By the time they reached the shop, the owner looked both mortified and weirdly impressed.
"I can turn it down," Jace offered quickly. "Or at least remove the smoke effects."
"Oh, no," the owner said, eyes gleaming. "Are you kidding? This is free advertising! We've had more people step inside in ten minutes than all last week."
Patchwork: You're welcome. Now, charge him for the performance upgrade.
Riley jumped in smoothly. "We can do a 'feature fine-tuning' for a nominal fee. Say… $50?"
The man pulled out cash without hesitation.
Patchwork: $8.50 added to Pending Taxes. Current total: $695.12.
Wealth: $2,740.75 → $2,790.75
---
The Call
Back at their building, Jace's phone buzzed. Unknown number. He almost let it go to voicemail… until Patchwork whispered, You'll want to take this.
"Jace Thorn?" The voice was breathless. "This is Mei from Bean Scene Roasters — the grinder you fixed? It's… talking to the customers."
Jace blinked. "Talking?"
"It's telling them about the beans. Out loud. And just told one guy, 'Your barista is lying about the roast date.'"
Riley's eyes went wide. "Patchwork—"
What? Transparency builds trust.
"Or gets us sued," Jace hissed.
---
Directive Incoming
A familiar blue overlay shimmered in his vision:
Directive: Calibrate or disable unintended vendor features before complaints escalate
Targets: 3 locations (Bean Scene grinder, Flower fridge, Espresso trumpet)
RP Reward: 150
Time Limit: End of day tomorrow
Penalty: Temporary suspension of bonus‑feature integration
Patchwork: There's your Monday workout, chief. Time to see if you can manage my gifts without burning down your customer base.
Riley gave him a half‑smile. "Well… guess tomorrow's not going to be boring."
---
Status Update
Technician: Jace Thorn
RP Total: 120
Wealth: $2,790.75
Pending Taxes: $695.12