Page 103 of The Toymaker
Kit leaned over. “I’m really bad at math. I could probably do the ledger later, but if you’d prefer not checking after me and fixing my mistakes, it might be better if you do it.”
“Are you truly bad at it?”
“Yeah. I’m slow, and I usually make mistakes even if I check it again. I can do basic money and give change, and I can add upthe price of a few basic things, but when the numbers get bigger, it gets harder, and I’m likely to mess up. Kids used to make fun of me in school because the teacher would have to go over basic concepts again for me, and I was always behind them. My Uncle said it would all get easier, and it never did.”
“I’ll do the ledger, Kit. Don’t worry.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
In late March, Kit and Riju found a place on one of the main roads after seeing a notice on one of the city boards. The tavern owner wanted a person to take over his business license. While anyone with a business could pack up and leave if they wanted, they wouldn’t get their money back.
Riju had said before how he hated the smell of taverns. Kit thought it was particularly bad when they stepped in. The tavern was mostly empty except for a couple of ladies eating lunch together by one of the windows. Their bowls appeared to contain egg stew, which explained the foul odor.
Riju told the man he’d seen the notice.
“I have three years left of my five-year license, and I’ll transfer it to you if you’re willing to pay me at least three-quarters of what I paid,” said the owner. “I thought my Grandma had a few good years left, but she’s not doing well. I don’t think she’s in any condition to be moved here from West Bay, so I’ll go to her. I’d rather not delay if possible since a neighbor is taking care of her, and I’m sending money.”
“You want seventy-five percent?” asked Riju.
“I think it’s fair.”
Kit noticed Riju was eyeing the large windows. “This might be a good spot. The windows here are a lot bigger than the other building you were thinking about.”
“These would be good for a couple of scenes. It’ll make people stop and look.”
And kids would probably nag their parents to go inside. If anyone came in, chances were they’d buy something before leaving.
Riju turned to the man. “Do you mean seventy-five percent of the entire fee you paid for five years?”
“Yes. I should make something back since I’ll be giving up my business, and I’m not sure what I’ll do in West Bay.”
“If you have three years left, I don’t think it’s fair if I pay so much for the entire time. You had two years to do whatever with every last kop you made.”
“Yes, it is fair,” argued the man.
“Two years are gone,” said Kit. “In three years, we’ll have to pay again.”
“It costs quite a bit to get a new license. They’re not cheap here in Raven’s Landing.”
“The cost for five years is more reasonable when you break it down compared to a one or two-year license,” said Riju. “In The Edge, you can only buy up to two years.”
Kit looked at the walls which needed cleaning and painting. The floor also wasn’t in the best shape which meant a carpenter would have to come in and replace certain boards. “We’ll have to get repairs done, and the place smells like a fart.”
“That’s from the egg stew I cooked. It’ll be gone by tomorrow.”
“I can also smell old ale and cigs,” said Riju. “That won’t be gone in a few days, and I don’t think what you’re asking for is fair. I’ll pay you seventy-five percent of the three years you’ve got left after the total is broken down into yearly increments.”
The man frowned. “I could find someone else.”
“If you do, it might be a while.”
“You’ll be spending money to have someone else watch your Grandma, and you might have quite a bit of trouble trying to transfer your license for that price,” said Kit. “Six months from now, you might be wishing you’d said yes to us.”
“It’s fair,” said Riju. “This may not be a high-class tavern, but I don’t think you’ve been struggling since this road is busy. I bet this place fills up at night. I also have other options.”
“They might not be the best spots for a tavern under new ownership.” The man folded his arms.
“I’m not starting a tavern. Take it, or I’ll go elsewhere.”
