When the next morning comes, as early as 5 am in the morning, we all waked up from our slumbers, as always Alfred was guarding the base all night, and using his Automaton, when the delivery comes, he is already moved to managed everything. All of our merchandise already safely stored inside my Inventory, from the bread, water and all of our Burger's ingredients. Alfred had also prepared our pop-up stall as well, he said that he has been working all night for it. It was just a simple burger stall, made out of wood, it got a flattop for frying burgers that uses charcoal and a table on the side, large enough for us to use as a place to display our product and perform transactions.
"So…this leaf is our packaging?".
"It is what everyone uses, Honey…. if we were using paper bags or plastic bags…then everyone would start to questions us…". (Natasha)
"[It is a mutated lotus leaves, it is clean and easy to use…it was as good as any paper…]". (Alfred)
Alfred introduced me to our packaging solution, which is the Mutated Lotus leaves, and sure enough, it made sense that this world use this leaves as a wrapper, the leaf was massive, 100x100cm that is how big this leaf was, Alfred had over 500 pieces of them.
"When did you picked this up, last night?".
"[Yes, Madam told me about them….and last night using the GPS... I found them in that forest we are in yesterday…just 70 meters northeast of our base….in only 30 minutes, I went and get them…]". (Alfred)
Since he solved our packaging problems, I guess I should let it go. And just praised him about it.
"Okay…good job, I guess? Anyway, did you managed to complete our base security measures?".
"[I did…the door into the Gas Station store is now locked with an electronic fingerprint lock…no one should be able to enter them…unless they bomb the door open…]". (Alfred)
"That will do…in these days and age…not many people are carrying bomb with them…the base would be fine, Honey...". (Natasha)
"If you say so…then…everyone, get on board…we are leaving for, Station Ail and Wail~...".
It is good to start the day with a good and positive mood. Natasha and Me got into the truck, while Alfred Automaton sat on the back, although the truck bed is now closed with the softtopper, we need to keep an appearance that we got cargo in the back and an Automaton where there to keep guard of it. With everyone is in position and ready, we departed. Station Ail and Wail, is due Southwest from our Base, about 13 kilometers away, since we departed at 5:30 am, we could arrive there at 7 or 8 in the morning.
Natasha said, that there is no barred time to open a stall, anyone who wanted to do business, as long as they paid the tax, they can open their stall at anytime they want, but the closing time is always at 11 PM sharp. Refusing to close at that time, will result in the stall getting demolish and getting a fine of 20 Coins. As long as we followed the rules everything would be fine, also, with our 'high quality' merchandise I am sure that it would be a massive hit.
The drive to Station Ail and Wail were peaceful and uneventful, we do see the a few Mutant Animals on our journey, which all of it just ran away, scared of the noise, I supposed. But as we get closer to the town, people started to appeared on the road side, a lot of them were on foot, but most of them were armed. Some of them haul their hunted games, so were shouldering massive sacks of loots, some were merchants and traders that were pulling their carts. For the first time, I am rather amazed that there is still cows and buffalo in this world, not the normal one, rather, these cows and buffalo have a slightly bigger size, and have two heads instead of one. Still, they are docile and seeing that they were pulling carts and hauling mountains of luggage on their backs, I supposed these mutated cows and buffalo is still human friendly.
"…. I see…no wonder the town were named Station Ail and Wail...".
"[I will update this town information at once…]". (Alfred)
We finally arrived at Station Ail and wail, and only now I can fully understand why the unique name. it's turns out, that the town were built around a train station, on that destroyed train station the main station building is still standing, and amongst the shop that were in the train station building, a single bar survived, and so does its signboard, Ail and Wail Bar. What is even amazing the entire town were walled off, using trains, in terms of defense, this town is certainly unique on its own.
We parked our car near the town gate, right now at 7:30 in the morning, some traders and merchants already started to set their stalls, some of them just went straight inside, I supposed those merchants and traders got their store inside and got a permit to trade inside. So, naturally a lot of people notice us, as we are the only one that come here, with a vehicle, a working truck, and instead of coming into the town like a rich merchant, we set up stall outside the gate.
"We got a lot of eyes on us, Alfred…stay vigilant...".
"[ Understood, sir…]". (Alfred)
I don't think that anyone would dare to come and bothers us, after all, we are a new guy, coming here on a truck and on top of that, we also have a military automaton as a guard. From image alone, that says a lot about us, being from out of town and also unpredictable. Not that I cared what they think, but it doesn't hurt to keep vigilant.
"Honey…you should go an apply for the permit…just pay them 5 coins…". (Natasha)
Natasha handed me 5 coins from her purse, and pointed at the guard post at the side of the town gate. this is clearly her savings, and probably our last savings as well, after all when we were evicted from Rat Town, she did not have a lot of money on her, especially after she bought all the supplies for our journey.
"Didn't you want to go with me? ...ahhh…".
"That's right, my status…and who I am would get me disregards there. It is better for you to go…the guards would not dare to mess with you, since you are a man….and also our current gets up…will make them be more careful when dealing with you…". (Natasha)
"I understand…then I'll leave the preparation to you and Alfred, I'll be back in a sec…".
"Okay, be careful…". (Natasha)
Sometimes I forgot that this is a wasteland world with some very messed up customs. There is 2 guard post on each side of the town gate, on the left is where the people who wanted to enters the town would be process, and on the right-side post, is where I need to go it is where the stall renting permit were managed. The line was not very long, just 2 people asking for the stall permit, and after a few dozens second it was my turn.
"Eh? …why did you come here?". (Town Guard)
"Huh...I'm here to get a stall permit…".
I am shocked that the Town guard were shocked at me appearing before him.
"…But…you come with a car…. oh, sorry about that, anyway…it was 5 coins for a spot, the closing time is 11 PM…failed to close at that time…. we will confiscate all your product and fined you…understood?". (Town Guard)
"Alright, here's 5 coins…".