The hum of the vending machines was no longer a source of stress for James. With the business running smoothly, he finally had time to think about the future. The world in 1996 was shifting rapidly, and James's memories of the internet boom made one thing clear—there was untapped potential in technology.
One evening, James, Tommy, and Lily gathered in the garage, which had become their unofficial brainstorming space. James had scribbled ideas in Lily's notebook, and his excitement was palpable.
"An internet café?" Tommy repeated, raising an eyebrow as he leaned against the workbench.
"Yes," James said, flipping the notebook open to show a rough business plan. "Think about it. Computers are getting more popular, but not everyone can afford one at home. An internet café would let people access the web for a small fee. It's going to be huge."
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Pitching the Vision
Lily leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "I don't know much about computers, but it sounds… futuristic. Do you really think people will pay to use the internet?"
James nodded confidently. "I remember how the internet shaped everything. Email, chatrooms, online shopping—it's all going to explode in the next few years. If we start now, we'll be ahead of the curve."
Tommy crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "It sounds great, but this is way bigger than vending machines. Where would we even start?"
James smiled. "I've already done some research. We'd need a location, computers, and a reliable internet connection. It won't be cheap, but the returns could be massive."
"What about Matthew?" Lily asked. "Didn't you say his family has connections? Maybe he could help."
James's eyes lit up. "Exactly. Matthew's dad works in tech. If anyone can help us get good deals on equipment, it's him."
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Recruiting a Partner
The next day, James met Matthew after school. They grabbed sodas from one of James's vending machines and sat on the bleachers.
"I've got an idea," James began, watching Matthew's reaction closely. "What if we opened an internet café? A place where people can rent computers to go online."
Matthew raised an eyebrow but didn't dismiss the idea outright. "That's… interesting. Why an internet café?"
"Because the internet is the future," James explained. "Think about it—people want to connect, to explore. This is going to change the way we live, and we can be at the forefront of it."
Matthew took a sip of his soda, considering. "Okay, I'll bite. What's the plan?"
James outlined his vision, emphasizing the potential for growth and the role Matthew could play. By the time he finished, Matthew was nodding.
"I'll talk to my dad," Matthew said. "He might be able to help with the computers and maybe even some funding."
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Taking the First Steps
With Matthew on board, the group began scouting potential locations for the café. They walked through various neighborhoods, noting foot traffic, nearby businesses, and rental prices.
"This place looks promising," Tommy said, pointing to a vacant storefront near the high school. "Lots of students, and it's close to the main road."
James jotted down notes, his mind racing with possibilities. "We'll need to calculate the cost of rent, utilities, and equipment. If we pool our savings and get Matthew's dad to invest, we might be able to pull this off."
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Deepening Bonds
Amid the flurry of planning, James and Lily found moments to strengthen their relationship. One evening, after a long day of scouting locations, they sat on the steps of her porch, watching the stars.
"Do you ever get scared?" Lily asked, her voice soft.
"Scared of what?" James asked, glancing at her.
"Of failing," she admitted. "You're taking on so much, and it feels like everything's riding on you."
James smiled, reaching for her hand. "I do, sometimes. But then I remember why I'm doing this—my family, my future, you. It's worth the risk."
Lily squeezed his hand, her eyes shimmering. "You're amazing, James. I hope you know that."
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Laying the Groundwork
As the weeks passed, the group worked tirelessly to bring their vision to life. James focused on the financials, creating a detailed budget to ensure they could afford the initial setup. Tommy handled logistics, from negotiating with property owners to organizing transportation for the equipment.
Matthew proved invaluable, securing a deal with his father's company to supply refurbished computers at a fraction of the cost.
"This is really happening," James said one evening as they gathered in the garage. The excitement in his voice was contagious.
"It is," Tommy agreed, clapping him on the back. "And it's going to be big."
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