How did they manage to sell a million copies in the first place?
If you think about it, it's not entirely impossible. After all, with a population of seventy million, if just one in seventy people bought it, it could easily reach that number.
But considering the poor distribution networks and printing technology at the time, it was nearly impossible for a single publishing company to handle printing a million books.
Still, the fact that a million copies were sold was largely due to the star power of Mark Twain and Nikola Tesla, and also because they had perfectly tapped into the desires of the American public.
That much was good. But, conversely, it also meant that recalling those copies would be extremely difficult.
The cost of running the printing presses wasn't free.
If they attempted a recall, it would take a fortune to cover the expenses.
Neither Tesla nor Mark Twain could afford such a massive recall, especially not Mark at that moment.
"Susy is fully recovered."
A letter arrived from Elmira, where his aunt, Susan Crane, lived.
His eldest daughter, Susy Clemens, who had been frail, had finally recovered thanks to the vast sum of money they had recently earned. Mark Twain couldn't help but feel overjoyed.
Not only had they cleared the debt from a failed investment, but now everything was perfectly settled. He felt like he could be anything right now.
And frankly, he didn't quite understand Nikola Tesla's concerns.
"To be honest, I get your worries, but... I don't think it's that serious."
"What do you mean!? People are getting hurt!"
"It would be a problem if we were being sued for responsibility. But that's not the case."
Mark Twain spoke confidently.
They had clearly stated on the first page of the book:
"All events in this book, except for the scientific principles, are fictional. Any resemblance to real places, organizations, people, or incidents is purely coincidental. Some of the content may be dangerous, so we advise against attempting any of the actions described. Any actions taken after reading this book are entirely the reader's responsibility, and neither the author nor anyone involved in the publication holds any liability."
Now he understood why Hanslow Jin had insisted on including this disclaimer.
Mark Twain, the publisher, and the company's in-house attorney all breathed a sigh of relief, but Nikola Tesla still couldn't comprehend their reaction.
"How can you worry about lawsuits when we've put people's lives at risk!?"
"Honestly, a bit of risk is okay. Kids grow up like that."
Mark Twain spoke with confidence. Nikola Tesla looked at him as if he were an enigma, but then it dawned on him.
Unlike Tesla, who had emigrated from the Serbian region of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to America, Mark Twain—Samuel Langhorne Clemens—was a natural-born American.
Not just that, but he was a Southerner from Missouri who had supported the Confederacy during the Civil War.
Of course, despite being a fervent advocate for racial equality and gender equality, his tendency to march forward with explosive determination, believing his cause was just, was very much a Southern trait.
In short, he was a tough, macho man at heart.
Why else would he have deliberately fallen out of a carriage and stayed at his future in-laws' house for days to convince them to approve of his marriage?
"And you know what? I used to do things like this when I was a kid. Did I ever tell you about the time I roamed the Mississippi River all the way to Brazil?"
"If you tell that story one more time, I swear I'll grow ear scabs. Just stop."
Sigh...
In the end, Nikola Tesla let out a deep sigh and had to sit down.
Mark Twain looked at his delicate European friend with a mix of pity and resignation.
"Of course, I don't entirely disagree with you. I, too, wanted to enlighten people gently, not push them to self-destruction. But this book isn't something we can just pull off the shelves."
"Ugh..."
Nikola Tesla nodded.
Even with his notoriously prickly personality, he couldn't deny the truth in Mark Twain's words. They had a contract with the British Bentley Publishing Company, and there were obligations to fulfill.
Moreover, with the recent success of educational science books, they had already published three volumes of King Arthur and the Knight of Mathematics under the same label.
In this situation, if Tesla alone insisted on a recall, who knew how much the penalties would cost?
"I should never have gone along with you in the first place."
"Come on, you enjoyed it too, didn't you?"
"It was fun, but... this isn't what I wanted."
"I understand, I understand."
Mark Twain patted Nikola Tesla's shoulder as he spoke.
The immediate crisis was averted. But Mark Twain knew he couldn't just leave Nikola sulking like this.
After all, the book had sold so well, and Mark could sense that there was more to come—a sequel or perhaps a new series.
A revenge plot involving the captured thief brothers, the Kevin family moving to a safer place, new cousins joining the story?
As a storyteller, Mark Twain wanted to continue the adventures of Kid Kevin.
Of course, to make that happen, he'd have to find a way to convince Nick.
And it wasn't just to earn money for his younger daughter Clara Clemens' piano lessons.
This is all for the enlightenment of the citizens of the United States. Indeed.
Most importantly.
"Don't worry. It's not like I haven't given it some thought."
"Really?"
"Of course. What kind of label do you think we've been working under from the start?"
What does he mean by that?
Mark Twain spoke confidently to Tesla, who was looking at him with curiosity.
"In the end, isn't the real issue here the education level of Americans, who, despite our warnings not to, still followed the instructions to the point of risking their safety?"
"Well... that is true."
"In that case, this is exactly the kind of thing we need to enlighten them about! So, slowly but surely, we need to find a way to improve the knowledge of our fellow Americans."
"Is there really such a way?"
"We will always find an answer."
Mark Twain smiled broadly.
"I already have a few ideas in mind."
"What? Already?"
"The problem is I can't decide on this alone. Just wait a little longer."
With that, Mark Twain calmly sent a telegram to London, ignoring his friend's surprised gaze.
---
"So, you're saying that's why you came to me?"
"Yes, indeed, sir."
Well, the New World is certainly a strange and complex place.
I never thought I'd meet someone who'd get into trouble by learning about booby traps instead of studying.
Actually, I can't say I didn't expect it at all. Why else would they have included a disclaimer?
With so many people trying to replicate what they saw in Home Alone or on TikTok and YouTube, countless problems have arisen.
But I was genuinely surprised to find out that Nick is really Nikola Tesla.
Why on earth are these two friends? Is there some kind of magnetism between geniuses?
But both Mark Twain and Nikola Tesla... I think they were too naive.
Is it because they're geniuses? They seem to think everyone else is as rational as they are.
Unfortunately, people aren't that logical. In fact, emotions have a much stronger influence on their behaviour.
Behavioural economics didn't become mainstream in the 21st century for no reason.
Especially Americans—they're far more ignorant than we tend to think.
And that's despite having a public education system.
So, what about 19th-century Americans, who didn't even have that? They must have been much more ignorant.
This was a barbaric era when the night-watchman state, advocated by greedy robber barons, was considered the norm.
So, is there a solution to this?
It would be nice to simply say no... but that's not really what Nikola Tesla wants, is it?
Mark Twain must know that too. That's probably why he sent this telegram.
"You're truly the father of American literature. You've hit the nail on the head."
"Excuse me?"
I smiled broadly as I reread the telegram.
"He's thinking of changing the subject."
"Yes... I saw that too, but honestly, is that possible so quickly? And will it work?"
A concerned look. Naturally, they might think, why change a 'successful' formula that's making money like crazy?
But what we have in mind is something different yet similar.
So.
"It will definitely work."
I spoke with conviction.
If the problem lies in using scientific knowledge on 'people'—then if we limit the subject to 'nature,' wouldn't that reduce the issue?
"Everyone has a fear of natural disasters."
Florida's hurricanes and California's earthquakes were famous even in modern times.
And I know the perfect way to tie this all together.
That is.
"Crisis Survival Number One."
Or perhaps more accurately, the "Survival" series.
It's about a protagonist surviving various incidents and accidents.
"… But won't we run out of material quickly? There aren't that many types of natural disasters."
"Don't worry. We'll start with hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis, but eventually, we'll expand. Uninhabited islands, volcanoes, thresholds... there are so many dangers in the world!"
At first, the format is 'home defense,' so it will deal with things that can happen at home, but as Kevin grows up—we can take it anywhere.
In other words, it's a 'survival in the wild' format.
The forests of the Rocky Mountains.
The jungles of the Mississippi River.
The Mojave Desert in California.
The massive lakes known as the Great Lakes.
And if we push it, even the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The United States, which occupies the vast North American continent, offers endless possibilities just by travelling within it.
And 'survival'—isn't that the legendary science knowledge series that continued for over 20 years and even got animated?
"Yes, but there's also the issue of the experimental apparatus set and the... booby trap set."
"Hah, it's quite impressive in many ways."
I was amazed when I first heard about it. Even in an era with a loose concept of copyright, to achieve such swift plagiarism and commercialization in this era is remarkable.
Should I call it the holy kingdom of true capitalism, America the capital empire?
But then again, it's still the 19th century.
"Our advantage is, of course, that we are the original creators. Let's ask Mr. Tesla to create the experimental apparatus set himself. It will be much more professional, and it will include experiments that can be conducted immediately. Plus... it would be good to include safety equipment as well. That way, we can control any potential damage."
It's like a kind of emergency kit.
Of course... we have to keep the name the same. Is it because they're macho? There are too many guys who avoid anything with a name that sounds like a first-aid kit because they think it doesn't sound cool.
How do I know? ... I didn't want to, damn it.
Anyway.
"But, sir, there's already an established market... will this work?"
"It'll work. If we include it as a bonus with the second volume, there's no way it won't."
"What!?"
"Oh, of course, the price will be slightly higher."
So, are you not going to buy it? Are you going to skip the sequel to a million-selling bestseller?
And it's technically 'free.'
They might grumble about the price increase, but they'll be more than satisfied with the abundant contents.
We can label it as a genuine product, and, hmm... moreover.
"Let's make the bonus set contents random. One could be Mr. Tesla's special experimental apparatus set, another an electrical apparatus set, another a booby trap set... something like that. And of course, we'll package it so that no one can know what's inside before they buy it."
"... Sir, that means..."
I subtly avoided Mr. Bentley's horrified gaze.
Yes, it's a random gacha box... I mean, a photo card.
Holy kingdom of true capitalism, America of the 19th century, behold this true capitalism of the 21st century.
They should be thankful there aren't any autograph lottery tickets.