The Mechanical Era

Oswald opens the dark oak door to his home's living room. The room featured stone brick walls, plastered and painted in pearl white paint. The floor consisted of rectangular polished marble tiles with little black spots here and there.

On the left side of the room were 3 windows with red curtains attached to them. Their job is to normally allow anyone to take a glimpse of the outside world and to allow light to travel into the living room.

On the opposite end of the room away from the door, was a fireplace connected to a chimney. The burning embers gave the room a warm atmosphere along with some needed light. Other than the fireplace, lanterns placed around the house provide a source of light for anyone wanting to stay up late at night.

The beige calendar hung upon the white wall read '24th of Asinus' written on the page with black ink. It looked down on the red couches that allowed for seating, along with the two armchairs near the fireplace.

Above the fireplace, there was a magnificent painting of an angel, looking down on humanity from the sky with its gigantic angelic wings. The painting was one of Oswald's greatest possessions, costing him 500 gold coins.

"Your home's gotten a lot bigger Ozzy." Oswald smiled at his remark.

"Thank you, Alister. I decided that I fancy a better home for myself." Oswald replied.

Oswald and Jac turned the two armchairs away from the fireplace to a red couch on the left where Alister took his seat. As the men sat on their chairs, cozying up to the warm atmosphere of the room, they decide to begin their little meeting.

"Now. About that auction... What is it even about?" Alister asked the two.

"Well Alister my friend, I am sure you have heard about this wonderful new product called 'cement' going around. It's the talk of every merchant around." Oswald asks Alister, who was removing a bit of sweat from his middle-aged face with a pink napkin.

"I have heard of the name, but not much else. What is it?"

"It's a construction material that is used to create a mortar or paste that hardens over time. They just started using it to build the wall in Albersterg." Jac said.

"It got his approval?" Alister asks.

"Yes. He was impressed by it. I was the one that delivered it to him. It's one of sire Kant's inventions." Oswald answers.

"The prince? Prince Kant?"

"Yes exactly. I believe he had just tested another invention of his. A 'Steam Engine', or at least according to the Petersons."

"What is a steam engine?"

"From their own words, it's a machine that turns coal into motion," Oswald replied. Alister places his left hand on his chin and started to think it through.

"Huh. That could be useful," he said.

"Anyways, going back on topic. Recently he announced that he is selling off the company in an auction house. The price is said to be very high, and he is going to need your financial backing as well to... take a majority stake."

"A company?"

"A corporation. Thanks to new legislation, people can register a legal entity to limit liability." Jac said. Alister sat straighter when those words entered his ear.

"Hold up, what?" he said. Alister was not aware of what they were talking about and desired to learn more.

"Private Corporation Act of 5018. Just was enacted at the start of this month. Think of it like a slave you own that can hold properties and will take the blame for any bankruptcies." Oswald explained as Alister sat there in deep thought. His mind got an idea but wasn't sure if it was feasible.

"Though I know I am going off-topic, I have a few questions to ask about this new legal structure."

"Go on."

Alister went on to ask multiple questions regarding how a company works; how it's formed, how it's taxed, and what it mainly does, which Jac and Oswald happily answered. After they were done, Oswald asked him whether he was in on buying the company up at the auction.

"Say, Alister. Are you in or not?" Without hesitation, Alister immediately responded to his question.

"Oh, certainly Ozzy. Although I have a slight proposal to make to the both of you," he said. The two were straighter on their chairs, awaiting this 'proposal.'

"What is it?" Jac asked.

"Say, why don't we register a company with the sole purpose of holding shares in other companies? We can use that company to buy up the cement manufacturer?" he proposes.

"Holding shares?"

"Yes! A company that holds parts of other companies. Like both of you said, the main purpose of a corporation is to limit liability and to give a level of security. By using a company to hold those shares, we can add even more security for nearly no cost." he suggested.

Oswald and Jac thought of his proposal. Though it was a good idea, they found a few disadvantages to such a structure and felt the need to address them.

"Well Alister, though that sounds like a good idea, have you considered the fact that any conflict of interest between us three could cause its dissolution?" Jac asked.

"I am fully aware of that. Besides, we can have greater control of the company and allow us to save some money on taxes. Besides, it would have other advantages.

It would allow us to concentrate property assets and allow flexibility for growth and development, which would be extremely beneficial if we intend to invest in any more inventions his highness creates." he replied.

Oswald and Jac thought about it further. There was a moment of silence as they evaluated the potential benefits and drawbacks of Alister's proposal.

"What do you think Ozzy?" Jac asked.

"Well, considering the benefits, I think I am going to have to agree. There might be a lot of money to be made, and I want to make sure we don't leave a single penny on the table." Oswald replied.

"Is that so? Well then, I guess I am in as well." Jac replied. Alister's face forms a small smile to their responses.

"Great! Now back on topic. When is the auction taking place?"

"It's marked to take place on the 1st of Possum in a special room in the palace," he said.

"That's plenty of time for us to prepare. In the meantime, we might as well go around and meet up with the Petersons."

"Why is that?" Jac asked.

"You remember that steam engine that Oswald mentioned?"

"Yes?"

"Well, I would like to know more about it. I think we might have another potential revenue source," he said.