Auction II

Will peaked outside the theatre's front curtain, the same nobles that made disparaging comments at yesterday's ball, now looked like desperate pigs at the trough waiting to be fed.

Will saw the hungry eyes of desperate men, each wanting to devour the other. Elizabeth might not like the cutthroat world of business, but Will thrives on it. He needed it. The competition drove Will to innovate and proper. Now, he was going to take he was going to convince these men to part with every copper they could spare.

Will had received a message from King, Duke and Cardinal vont Gaius will be present. Which meant the crowd today would be larger and more esteemed, Will original thought. It also meant a drop in the auction price.

The real drawback was having the kingdom and church as voting shareholders. His business image would be held in high esteem, Will never liked corporate capitalism.

Having the government, who makes the rules, also having a seat on his board of directors, could lead to trouble. What if the king, was on the losing side of a vote. Would the king decree the board to go along with him, after losing? That was one of many scenarios, Will was fearful of. He and the king would need to have a chat before the first board meeting.

Last night, while most of the nobility attended the Peerage Ball, Mei transported the bicycles to the theatre. Mei also sleep in the theatre office, in case there was an incident. Like Vanessa, Mei also lived in the casino. And even though the casino was across the street Mei didn't want to disappoint Will even for a second.

On the 13th bell, a tired Mei walked onto the stage. The musicians who played in the background as guests were seated, stopped when Mei washed from behind the curtain.

"Good morning everyone and thank you for coming to the second Silver Phoenix auction," said with a low respectful curtsy.

"For those of you that attend our auction in Guidon, this will auction will be similar. For those not familiar with our rules, if you wish to bid please raise your paddle.

It's important we can see your number, so we know who to award the shares to. My junior clerks and I are seated at the left of the stage to will write down the winning paddle number for the item you won.

Now, I let me introduce to you this evening host Randolphus from our theatre company!" Mei's introduction finished, she walked off stage.

"Good morning!" Randolphus said flipping onto the stage to a round of applause.

Watching Randolphus excite the crowd, Will admired his natural showmanship. 'Mei correct to select him as the host,' Will thought.

After ten minutes of jokes and gymnastics, finally, it was time for Will's big entrance. Will had spent the better part of a morning learning to ride this bicycle across the stage. No one, not even the acting company was allowed to view Will riding the bicycle.

"Let me introduce to some and present to most, my boss, Baronet William vont Ballard, the Lord of Games," Randolphus said dramatically.

Entering from stage right, Will rode a bicycle across the stage waving to the crowd. Loud audible gasps, shouts of disbelief, and men standing with their hands flapping about were heard and observed. Will was tickled with glee as he rode across the stage waving.

After a few minutes, Will got off the bicycle to arousing standing applause.

"Countrymen this mechanical horse is called a bicycle. I created the bicycle for nobles on the go. Horses are expensive to feed, house, and clean. To power the bicycle you merely use your feet to push the peddles. The bicycle comes with several accessories: a basket, a bell, streamers, and luggage cases. There is an accessory for every nobleman and woman," Will said like an infomercial actor.

"I only have 1,000 bicycles backstage and the first bike goes to His Royal Majesty," Will said bowing respectfully to the royal box. It was then, Will noticed, his master Elder Thaddeus was also sitting in the royal box next to the king and queen. The royal children sat below their father.

Magically enhancing his voice, the king rose for the first time, as everyone lowered their heads, bowed, curtsied, or knelled. "Baronet vont Ballard, thank you for the gift. However, I must impose on you for a riding lesson. I also fear the princes may be jealous if only I have a bicycle," the king joke. However, hidden in that joke was a request.

"Your majesty, allow your humble servant to alleviate that worry. I will also gift the princes with bicycles," Will said smiling.

Will smiled because the king's request increased the demand for a limited-supply high-end item. This effectively helped Will drive up the price.

"Cardinal vont Gaius, Duke Whitby, Elder Thaddeus I also wish to gift you with a bicycle. Cardinal vont Gauis the Church of Gaius baptized me and welcomed me as a member. Duke Whitby, your family has been extremely courteous to mine. Also, thank you again for hosting my peerage ball. Finally, Master thank you for supporting and instructing me, the third son of rural barron. Serving as your disciple has brought me much joy," Will said.

Will had planned to gift four bicycles, but six was still acceptable. Gifting those bicycles was a matter of decorum, it had to be done.

"Bless you, young baronet. The Goddess Gaia favors you, her most dedicated sprout," Cardinal vont Gaius said.

"Thank you Baronet vont Ballard, your gift honors me. It is good to see the younger nobles being active in the kingdom" he said.

"Indeed," replied several older men.

Will was surprised to see Elizabeth sitting next to father in the duke's box. Will could see her smiling at him from the distance.

"Disciple, once again you have surprised your old master. This machine you created is astounding, does it require the use of mana to operate?" Elder Thaddeus said, clearly asking the question for Will's benefit.

"No, master. This machine does not require mana to operate," Will responded to some cheers and gasps in the audience.

Even though Terra was a world of sword and sorcery, magic users were rare. While everyone had mana, not everyone had a large enough mana pool to become a knight or mage. Since the bicycle required no mana to use, it appealed to a larger customer base.

"Thank you, everyone," Will said hoping back on the bicycle. After making another circle around the stage, Will rode exited the stage.

"Thank you, Boss Will. Another round of applause for my boss, Baronet William vont Ballard!" Randolphus said clapping energetically.

"Now, let's start the auction," Randolphus said as people wondered when the bicycles would be auctioned.

Will had Randolphus start the auction with swords, painting, musical instruments, and pottery. By auctioning luxurious goods, Will hoped to loosen the noblemen's pursues. Music, entertainment, and luxury goods created a fun, relaxed atmosphere perfect for spending money.

After the item for auction was sold, a crystal vase. Randolphus return to the stage.

"We are going to take a brief intermission, but first Boss Will has permitted me to auction 19 bicycles. Let's start with the first, the staring is 15 gold, and increments can only increase by five," Randolphus finishes.

The bicycle tires were black, and the cast iron pipe framework was painted in various colors. The bicycles had rough tear-drop cushion seats. The first bicycle on display had a basket filled with expensive wine and cheese.

People began shouting:

25

50

60

75

125

Randolphus, "125 going twice….sold to the Viscount….

In a short moment, all 19 bicycles were sold, and a 10-minute break was announced.

"Welcome back! The first item up for auction is a year license to create one of Boss Will's games. Simply, take your license to the local Merchant Guild to be registered. Boss Will is only auctioning 20 licenses to the highest bidder. Starting bid is sat at 1,000 gold, and bids may only increase in increments of 100.

1500

2000

2500

"5000," shouted Baron Hernandes.

All 20 licenses were bought in less than half an hour by the merchants. The average price for the licenses was 5500.

"Congratulations, to you noble merchants and merchants," Randolphus said, as Mei walked on stage and handed him a piece of paper.

Randolphus read the paper out loud, " Boss Will wants to let the winners know after a year you may re-register the license with the Merchant Guild for 5,000 gold."

"Again, congratulations to those winners. Our next items for auction are 25 bicycles. Remember if you want to add accessories to your bicycle, you can do so at the Silver Pheonix General Store," Randolphus exclaimed.

"Now Ladies and Gentlemen for our main attraction, we're going to auction non-voting shares. The starting bid for each share is 2,500 gold and may increase in increments of 500. Now, let's shart by auctioning 1000 non-voting shares of the Guidon Silver Phoneix General Store," Rudolphus said.

After the shares for the general store were auction, the non-voting shares for the cafe, theatre, and casino in Guidon were auctioned separately as well.

Next, Randolphus separately auctioned 1000 non-voting shares for Yorkshire's general store, cafe, theatre, and casino.

Each store had its shareholders because Will wanted to familiarize people with the idea of shareholding. Moreover, since traveling long-distance was dangerous, most shop-owning merchants did not own stores in other cities.

The average non-voting share sold for 5,000 gold. That meant Will earned an excess of 10,000,000 million gold in three hours.

After another brief intermission, Randolphus greeted the returning nobles, "Friends, I am sad to say, our next items up for auction are the last of the bicycles. The next shipment of bicycles won't be sold until next month."

Having a month to show off your limited bicycle would certainly make many noble envious. That envy would drive up overfull demand. Overfull demand is when there is a high demand, but either a lack of supply or an illusion of a lack of supply to meet demand.

"I cannot believe this, but it looks like the end is nigh. The grand finale is here, the next item of the auction is 320 voting shares. Please listen carefully, only 40 noblemen or dowagers may own voting shares. Each share is worth 1% of the company's value. Just like with the non-voting share, you are welcome to purchase additional shares up to 5%," Randolphus said excitedly.

"Our first item up for bid..." Randolpus stopped talking when he saw the King's Head Stewart raised his paddle.

Before the auction, Will told Randolphus the king, cardinal, duke, city lords, merchant guilds masters had planned to purchase a share in each company. When they raised their paddles, he was to immediately stop talking and award them shares. They all agreed to pay 100,000 for a share.

"Congratulations to his majesty the king for purchasing five shares in each business," Randolphus said with a bow.

"Our first item up for bid..." Randolpus stopped talking when he saw the Cardinal's Head Stewart raised his paddle.

"Congratulations to her eminence for purchasing four shares in each business," Randolphus said with a bow.

"Our first item up for bid..." Randolpus stopped talking when he saw the Duke's Stewart raised his paddle.

"Congratulations to his grace for purchasing four shares in each business," Randolphus said with a bow.

"First, we'll start with the Guidon businesses" Randolpus stop talking when he saw Timothy vont Alms raise his paddle.

"Congratulations to Guidon City Lord for purchasing three shares in each of the Guidon businesses," Randolphus said with a bow.

"Now we'll start with the Yorkshire businesses" Randolpus stop talking when he saw Yorkshire City Lord raised his paddle.

"Congratulations to Yorkshire City Lord for purchasing three shares in each of the Yorkshire businesses," Randolphus said with a bow.

"Let's return to the Guidon businesses" Randolpus stop talking when he saw Guidon Merchant Guild Master raise his paddle.

"Congratulations to Guidon Merchant Guild Master for purchasing three shares in each of the Guidon businesses," Randolphus said with a bow.

"Let's return to the Yorkshire businesses" Randolpus stop talking when he saw Yorkshire Merchant Guild Master raised his paddle.

"Congratulations to Yorkshire Merchant Guild Master for purchasing three shares in each of the Yorkshire businesses," Randolphus said with a bow.

"Okay, now we'll..." Randolpus stop talking when he saw Grandmaster Thaddeus raise his paddle in the king's box.

This was an unexpected turn, Boss Will had not told him about Boss Will's master raising his paddle. Randolphus looked off stage to where Boss Will was sitting. Seeing Will nod in the affirmative.

"Congratulations to Grandmaster Thaddeus, purchasing 4 shares in each of the eight businesses," Randolphus said.

Mei walked on stage again and handed Randolphus a sheet of paper, "According to Senior Mei, there are only 88 voting shares available, and 11 shares left for each business. The starting price for each share is 10,000 gold and may only increase by 5,000 gold.

Furthermore, no one may purchase more than 2% of any company stock," Randolphus said.

In less than two hours, all 88 shares were sold. In one day, Will had earned almost 15 million gold.

After the auction, Will walked back behind the stage to count the amount of gold he earned. After counting, he confirmed, he earned just over 14 million gold.

Moreover, everyone noble could estimate the math in their heads, which means the 14-year-old boy in front of them, was the richest man in Fermion. The boy had just won a king's ransom.

"Countrymen, fellow nobles, to receive your license, share certificate, or game blueprints please visit the bank first to pay your winning bid. Please know there is a 72-hour window to deposit your bid. Failure to pay results in a disqualification of purchase," Will said with a bow.

"Merchants and shop owners who wish you sell shares in their company, please visit the second floor of my bank. If you wish to purchase shares in the future, please visit the second floor of my bank. From now you may purchase or sell shares on the second floor of the Silver Pheonix Bank and Trust.

At the Bank and Trust, you may also open a savings account. If you are not aware, I shall match your initial deposit up to 50 gold. Also, for the first three months, I'll pay an annual compound interest of 5%. After three months, the compound interest will decrease to 3%.

Also on the first floor of my Bank and Trust, we offer loans. The money lenders charge 35 to 60% on their loans. I'll loan money for as little as 10% and a maximum of 27% monthly interest. Unlike those usurious money lenders, my tellers, loan officers, or stockbrokers can help you choose the best financial strategy for you. Let's all make money together," Will exclaimed with a rapacious grin.