Chapter 39: The Water Bottle

While going for a run in the morning, Martin specifically brought money with him.

He noticed new dealers around the community.

They were easy to recognize; the previous dealers were mostly white, but now they were all black.

Martin had no intention of dealing with them, so he deliberately avoided them, heading to the north side of the community. There, he found Scott carrying a bag and shuffling crab-like towards his grocery store.

"Injured again?" Martin asked curiously.

Scott stopped shuffling and said, "I found a new job with high pay! I'm telling you, idiot, I, Scott Carter, will soon be rich."

Martin didn't know the details but had a guess and didn't want to continue the conversation. Instead, he asked, "Do you have modeling clay in your store?"

Scott, still shuffling like a crab, walked into his store, saying, "Yes, come with me. What do you need it for, you clumsy fool?"

Martin vaguely replied, "Just making a small toy to please someone."

An hour later, at Carter's house.

Martin cleared the table, unpacked the modeling clay, pulled off a large chunk, and started molding it according to his vision.

But the outcome was vastly different from what he had imagined.

"Bright pink clay, from Scott's place?" Harris asked, having finished washing dishes. He glanced at the lump Martin had made, which looked like a coiled snake, and exclaimed, "Martin, did you just mold a piece of crap?"

Martin paused, "Is it that bad?"

Harris shook his head and looked at Martin as if he were an idiot. He then turned and called out, "Elena, Martin needs your help."

Elena ran out of the room.

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

Elena replied, "I'm the most suitable for crafts."

She rolled up her sleeves, ready to start, and asked, "What do you want to make?"

Martin, feeling helpless, gestured about twelve inches with his hands, saying, "About this high, and for the shape... how do I put it, a full version of a wooden fence."

Elena looked at the lump Martin had made and instantly understood, "I got it."

Martin added, "It's for a water bottle to be used in the Liberty Association's protests."

Elena's hands moved quickly. She soon formed the basic shape and refined it with a carving knife.

Martin pointed to the top of the conical shape, "Add a straw here."

Elena asked, "Are you sure this is a water bottle? I haven't seen one like this before, don't fool me."

Martin replied seriously, "Of course it's a water bottle."

He pointed at the cylinder, "Put the words 'My Life, My Choice' here."

Because of Martin, Elena had recently been paying attention to the Methodist and Liberty associations and had visited The Beast House. She asked, "This design and slogan, is it for the Liberty association?"

Martin said, "I am trying to make it a favorite for Liberty association members, a specialized water bottle."

Elena was surprised, "Do you understand business?"

Martin knew nothing about business; he had been drifting around and never dealt with commerce.

The water bottle and slogan were entirely copied from the entertainment industry.

In a previous life, after 2015, he couldn't remember the exact year, Kendall Jenner used a similar water bottle.

As for the slogan, it was later used by the Hollywood Me Too movement.

Unfortunately, the water bottle's design could not be patented.

Elena brought a hairdryer to speed up the drying process.

Martin continued to ponder about monetization.

Elena crossed her arms, "Idiot, what are you thinking?"

Martin simply stated, "First, I am a true Liberty advocate, aiming for broad recognition, especially from California-based Liberty supporters."

Before he could finish, Elena flipped him off.

Martin continued, "Second, sell it to Liberty supporters and make some money."

Elena, not understanding, asked, "Are you sure?"

Martin just nodded. It was something he had discussed with Kelly Gray; the equality water bottle was essential.

Elena said, "The straw must be detachable. Customers should be able to use it interchangeably."

Martin was speechless, feeling that her talents were wasted here.

He went next door to change into formal attire, got a briefcase, packed the water bottle, and said to Elena, "The dress I bought you, put it on. From now on, you are my assistant, and control your language."

Elena changed clothes and followed Martin out.

They first went to the Marietta Theater. Through Jerome, they found a prop master who worked with the theater. Using the clay model as a base, they paid him to create a sample with hot melt resin.

Jerome looked at the bizarrely shaped water bottle and asked, "Why make something like this?"

Martin, of course, wouldn't mention commercial purposes. He pointed at Elena and said, "Director, she always misses me so much that she insisted on making a daily item modeled after me."

Elena cursed a thousand words in her heart.

Jerome looked at the water bottle, feeling a deep sense of inferiority, and sighed without saying anything, "Finished? Hurry up and leave."

Martin drove to Duluth.

From the list of shortlisted companies, he examined their main products and had some discussions before finding a suitable target: a company called Bay Trade Import and Export. Among their products were various types of water bottles.

The company was not large but had a good reputation, having been established for years.

The owner, named Rosard, spoke accented English, "Mr. Davis, we can meet your needs for small goods. Which product are you interested in?"

Martin directly stated, "I want to commission a custom water bottle."

Rosard asked, "What specific requirements do you have?"

"Price should be as low as possible, using the best materials possible, including the shell, and must comply with American standards." Martin was worried about general usage; what if someone got poisoned?

Rosard pondered for a moment and asked, "Do you have a sample or a blueprint?"

Martin took out the sample made by the prop master.

When the pink special water bottle was placed on the table, Rosard's mouth twitched slightly: would anyone dare to carry such a water bottle around?

Rosard picked up the water bottle, examining it closely, "This material won't work."

"The sample was casually made." Martin was straightforward. "I need an initial batch of 10,000 units. Give me a quote."

He had estimated this number based on the customers of The Beast House and Liberty Association members.

Rosard calculated briefly, "Five dollars."

Martin shook his head, "A nearby Chinese company quoted me one dollar fifty." He held up one finger, "This is just the first batch."

Rosard calculated the costs, "Our factory has never produced this type of water bottle. The mold costs are significant."

After some back-and-forth negotiations, since Martin needed the delivery within half a month, they finally settled on a unit price of three dollars.

This included customs clearance, transportation, and storage costs.

Martin called the law firm he had visited previously. A professional lawyer came to help draft the contract, and Martin paid a deposit of four thousand five hundred dollars.

On the way back, Elena's suppressed worry flared up, "Idiot, 30,000 dollars' worth of goods. If you can't sell them, you'll be a broke loser again and face damned lawsuits!"

"The final payment has a two-month term. It should be fine." Martin had already considered this, "I am working hard to stimulate the Liberty supporters' desire to buy. Even if they don't want them, I can sell them in the clubs; they will definitely be interested."

He turned and smiled, "If this fails, I'll take the stage in a ring."

*****

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