Kettle

Chapter 39 Kettle

Martin brought money with him when he went for his morning run.

He discovered that new vendors had appeared around the community.

It's easy to tell: the traffickers used to be mostly white, but now they're all black.

Martin had no intention of dealing with them, so he deliberately went around them and went to the north side of the community, where he found Scott carrying a bag and shuffling towards his grocery store.

"Injured again?" Martin asked curiously.

Scott stopped in his tracks and said, "I found a new job, and it pays great! Let me tell you, you idiot, I, Scott Carter, will be rich soon."

Martin didn't know the specifics of what had happened, but he had a guess. Too lazy to elaborate, he asked, "Do you have model-making clay in your shop?"

Scott swaggered into the store: "Yes, come with me. What are you doing? You clumsy idiot."

Martin mumbled, "To make little toys to make people happy."

…………

An hour later, at Carter's house.

Martin cleaned the table, opened the clay packaging bag, tore off a large piece, and began to knead it as he pleased.

But what you think and what you do are very different.

"A bright pink clay, from Scott's place?" Harris came over after washing the dishes, glanced at what Martin had sculpted—a large lump at the bottom with a vertical line at the top, resembling a coiled snake—and exclaimed, "Martin, did you sculpt a pile of poop?"

Martin stopped: "Is it that bad?"

Harris shook his head, looking at Martin as if he were an idiot, and turned around to call out, "Elena, Martin needs your help."

Elena ran out of the room.

Martin said very seriously, "You're not suitable."

Elena said, "I'm best suited for crafts."

She rolled up her sleeves, ready to act: "What do you want to do?"

Martin sighed and gestured with his hands to indicate 30 centimeters: "About this tall, and the shape... how should I put it, a complete version of a wooden fence."

Elena looked at the mess Martin had made and instantly understood: "I get it."

Martin added, "I prepared water bottles specifically for the Freedom Society's rallies and protests."

Elena's hands moved incredibly fast, and she quickly created the basic shape before refining it with a carving knife.

Martin pointed to the top of the cone and said, "Add a straw here."

Elena asked, "Are you sure this is a kettle? I don't know much about these things, don't try to fool me."

Martin said very seriously, "The kettle, of course."

He pointed to the cylinder: "Design a line of text on it: 'My life, my rules!'"

Because of Martin, Elena has been paying close attention to the Methodists and Freemasons lately, and has even visited the House of the Wild Things. She asked, "Is this design and slogan typical of liberals?"

Martin said, "I'm trying to make it a favorite among liberals, a go-to water bottle."

Elena asked in surprise, "You know about business?"

Martin knows nothing about business; he's always been a drifter and has never really been involved in business.

The kettle and slogans are all copied, and they're even copied from the entertainment industry.

In his previous life, Kendall Jenner used a water bottle after 2015—he'd long forgotten the exact year.

As for the slogan, it was originally used by Hollywood's #MeToo movement.

Unfortunately, the shape of a kettle cannot be registered as a design patent.

Elena brought over a hairdryer and dried it as quickly as possible.

Martin continued to consider monetization.

Elena crossed her arms: "Idiot, what were you thinking?"

Martin stated simply, "First, I am a true liberal, and I need to gain widespread recognition, especially among liberals from California."

Before he could finish speaking, Elena was already waiting for him with her middle finger.

Martin continued, "Secondly, sell to liberals and make a profit."

Elena didn't understand: "Are you sure?"

Martin simply nodded; the equality water bottle was important, as he had discussed with Kelly Gray.

Elena said, "The straw must be detachable so that customers can use it from both ends."

Martin was speechless. You're wasting your talent here.

He went next door to change into a suit, grabbed a briefcase, filled it with a water bottle, and said to Elena, "Where's the dress I bought you? Put it on. From now on, you're my assistant. Control your swearing."

Elena changed her clothes and went out with Martin.

The two first went to the Marietta Theatre Company, and through Jerome, found a prop maker who collaborated with the company. Using clay models as a basis, they paid him to make a sample using hot melt resin.

Jerome stared at the oddly shaped kettle: "Why make something like this?"

Martin, of course, wouldn't mention commercial use. He pointed at Elena and said, "Captain, she always misses me and insists on using me as a model to make an everyday item."

Elena cursed a thousand swear words in her mind.

Jerome glanced at the kettle, a sudden wave of inferiority washing over him. He felt utterly exhausted and didn't want to speak. "Finished? Let's go."

Martin drove to Duluth.

After looking at the main products of the companies he had shortlisted and having some conversations with them, Martin found a suitable target: an import and export company called Gulf Trading, whose products included various kettles.

The company is not large, has been established for many years, and has a good reputation.

The shop owner, named Rosard, spoke with an accent: "Mr. Davis, we can definitely meet your needs for small commodities. Which item are you interested in?"

Martin stated directly, "I want to order a custom-made kettle."

Rosard asked, "What are the specific requirements?"

"The price should be as low as possible, and the materials should be as good as possible, including the outer casing, which must meet the relevant American standards." Martin was worried that if the two were interchangeable, what if someone got poisoned?

After a moment's thought, Rosard asked, "Do you have any samples or drawings?"

Martin took out the sample made by the prop master.

As soon as the pink, unusual water bottle was placed on the table, Rosard's lips twitched slightly: How dare he take this kind of water bottle out in public?

Rosard took the water glass and examined it carefully: "This material won't do."

"The samples can be made casually." Martin was direct: "I need 10,000 pieces for the first batch. Give me a price."

This is the number he estimated based on customers of the Wild Beast House and members of the Freedom Association.

Rosard quickly calculated: "$5."

Martin shook his head: "A Chinese company across the street quoted $1.5." He held up one finger: "This is just the first batch."

Rosard calculated the costs: "Our factory has never produced this type of kettle before, and the mold-making costs are extremely high."

After some back and forth, because Martin required the goods to arrive within half a month, the unit price was finally settled at $3.

This includes costs for customs clearance, transportation, and storage.

Martin called the law firm he had visited before, and a professional lawyer came to help draft the contract. He paid a deposit of $4500.

On the way back, Elena's suppressed anxiety finally surfaced: "Idiot, $3 worth of goods, if you can't sell them, you'll be penniless again and face that damn commercial lawsuit!"

"The final payment has a two-month payment period, so it should be fine." Martin had already considered this: "I'm working hard to stimulate the Liberty Club's desire to buy. Even if they don't want it, we can still sell it at the club, and they'll definitely be interested."

He turned and laughed, "If we fail, we can always go on the circular stage."

(End of this chapter)