Chapter 30: Bargaining Straight for the Jugular (Please Bookmark! Please Keep Reading!)
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“It turns out I simply don’t want to date. Otherwise, all the lovestruck young women of New York would be going crazy over me~”
Enni thoroughly enjoyed being the center of everyone’s attention. In his previous life, he had been handsome too, but without a car or a house, he had never caught the eye of those pampered young women.
This life was truly satisfying. Not only had he inherited half of his former good looks, but his royalties were practically pouring in… Alas, everything would be perfect if only there were no war!
“Good heavens, why is my brother so conceited? He’s practically a narcissistic, twisted, hollow fallen angel.”
Mishi muttered into the radio, instantly forgetting how obsequiously she had begged Enni to buy it for her moments earlier.
“My dear little sister, what are you muttering about?”
“I was saying that my brother is practically an angel who brings light and salvation~!”
Mary: “…”
There was nothing she could do… They were her own children, after all!
In this era, buying an automatic washing machine was no less a major purchase than buying a car would be in the future.
When Mary first entered the home-appliance section selling washing machines, she was still somewhat nervous.
But as she browsed, her nervousness completely vanished. Her true nature emerged, and she began haggling over every little detail.
“I’ve seen this model at another department store, and it was much cheaper than this!”
“What’s the difference between this one and the promotional model in your advertisement last week? How can it possibly cost so much more?”
“I’m paying in full, so you have to give me a cash discount! I’ll buy my refrigerator and toaster from you in the future, too!”
“If I’m satisfied with this purchase, I’ll recommend that all my friends from church come here. But the price has to be reasonable!”
The saleswoman, dressed in a knee-length straight skirt with a small pink scarf tied around her collar, had never encountered such a formidable opponent. Unable to maintain her elegance any longer, she hurriedly sold Mary the newest Whirlpool automatic washing machine—originally priced at two hundred and twenty dollars and thirty cents—for two hundred and five dollars.
The saleswoman looked as though she might cry. They had practically reached the bottom-line price. Mary had hacked straight into the artery.
Mary cast Enni and Mishi a triumphant look, then reminded the saleswoman, “Don’t forget the free delivery and installation. And throw in a few free spare parts, too.”
The saleswoman: “o(╥﹏╥)o”
After buying the washing machine, they naturally went out for dinner as well.
Located on the top floor, the Colonnade Restaurant was the flagship restaurant of Macy’s, and a popular destination for New York’s upper class to dine, date, and socialize after shopping.
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The entrance was decorated with tall Greco-Corinthian columns, while the interior was equally magnificent and elegant.
White linen tablecloths, silverware, and waiters in uniform.
Mary and Mishi had visited other upscale restaurants with Enni before, but they were not members of high society, nor did they dine out every day. Thus, they still felt somewhat out of place when they reached the entrance of the Colonnade Restaurant.
“Relax. A restaurant is simply a place to eat. No matter how lavish the decor, you’re still sitting in a chair and eating with utensils from a plate.”
Having seen far too much of the world in his later life, Enni felt nothing toward such things. Besides, his attitude toward spending had been tempered in the future, and he was in no danger of falling into the trap of consumerism.
“Son, you’re behaving so maturely.”
Mary could not help praising him. Lately, Enni had been growing more and more responsible, with the unmistakable air of the family’s pillar.
“Excuse me, sir. Do you have a reservation?” the uniformed waiter asked politely just as Enni was about to enter the restaurant.
“A reservation?”
“I didn’t know there was such a rule.”
Enni had not expected the Colonnade Restaurant to require reservations.
Still, he could hardly be blamed for overlooking it. In the future, a restaurant of this caliber would be no more than an ordinary establishment one might find in any indoor shopping mall. Everyone would simply buy a discounted voucher through a group-buying app, and that ingrained way of thinking had made the possibility of reservations completely slip his mind.
“I’m sorry, sir, but you need to make a reservation in advance.”
Yet as the waiter said this, a couple carrying shopping bags walked straight inside without the slightest obstruction.
“Do they have a reservation?”
Mishi frowned and pointed at the couple.
The waiter hesitated.
Mishi put her hands on her hips and snorted. “As a lady, I don’t want to use that word beginning with ‘F,’ but this lousy restaurant is becoming unbearable… God damn it!”
“Mishi!”
Mary cried out and immediately covered Mishi’s mouth.
She had avoided the famous word beginning with “F,” but had used a far harsher and more vulgar curse instead! Mary was also a devout believer, and invoking God in such a manner was a serious religious offense.
With Mary dragging her away, Mishi resembled a curly-haired teddy bear on a leash, muffled sounds of protest coming from behind her hand.
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…Just as I thought. My little sister is no lady at all!
Enni complained inwardly, though he fully supported Mishi’s profanity. It would have been one thing if the restaurant were completely full, but they were refusing to let him in despite the empty tables, insisting on some nonsense about reservations while allowing other people to walk right in.
Wasn’t that just treating him like a second-class citizen?
Of course, Enni did not make things difficult for the waiter. The man was only doing his job, and no one knew whether he was someone’s son, husband, or father. During the Great Depression, life was difficult for everyone.
He merely said politely, “Please let me use the telephone.” He handed the waiter a twenty-cent tip.
The waiter maintained his courteous smile and waved away the coin without accepting it. “Sir, please feel free to use the telephone. I’m very sorry for the inconvenience.”
Seeing the waiter’s humble manner, Enni was glad he had remained sufficiently polite. It meant that he had not allowed easily acquired wealth to cloud his mind and turn him into the kind of person he himself despised.
“Son, who are you calling? If necessary, we can simply go to another restaurant.”
Mary was not particular about where they ate. She only wanted to make sure Enni did not get himself into trouble.
Enni merely smiled. “Don’t worry. Now that I’m a professional writer, I have a few connections of my own.”
Mary did not really understand what “connections” meant, but seeing Enni’s calm expression, she relaxed. At the same time, she felt a little proud…
Good heavens, look at my son! And… may his talent redeem Mishi for her blasphemy~
“Mr. Riser, do you have another new manuscript?” came the voice of Edward Weeks from the other end of the line.
“Good day, Mr. Weeks. I’m still working out the details of my new manuscript. I’m calling your office because I’d like to arrange a time to discuss my ideas with you,” Enni said with a smile.
“Of course. If you’re willing, I can drive over and pick you up right now. We can drink whiskey and talk all night,” Weeks said with no small amount of exaggeration.
“Actually, I’m about to have dinner with my family at Macy’s. We’ve just run into a bit of trouble…”
Once the pleasantries were out of the way, Enni went straight to the matter he wanted Weeks to help him with.
As editor in chief of The Atlantic Monthly, Weeks surely had extensive connections.
Sure enough, after hearing Enni out, Weeks chuckled and calmly replied, “That’s a minor problem. I mean—if it earns me the publication rights to your next novel, it’s an absolute bargain. I should be thanking you for calling me instead of someone else.”
“Mr. Riser, wait outside the restaurant for a few minutes. Very soon, an important person will call the Colonnade Restaurant where you are. When that happens, you’ll be able to enjoy your dinner without any further trouble.”
…