Chapter 5: A Business Offer
"So, Felix heard you got some girlie action a week ago, nice one bro," Bobby said grinning wickedly.
"Shut up Bobby, I just went to a woman's house fixed her bathroom faucet and I left end of story," Felix said firmly. He began checking the instruments and the stage to make sure everything was in order.
"Then how come you got home so late hmmm?" Bobby asked folding his arms. Felix blushed a bit but contained his composure. Before he could speak however Kelly came in getting the booths ready for customers.
"What is going on?" she asked.
"Oh nothing just Felix here got a call from a lady and went to her house to fix a faucet and came back home real late," Bobby said.
"Felix you dog finally got some action high five cuz," Kelly exclaimed holding out her palm so Felix could slap it.
"Will you two be quiet I didn't get any action and I won't till I get married! If you two must know her bathroom was a mess for water was everywhere. I was being nice and helped her clean it up. Then she wanted to thank me by giving me a cup of coffee and we just talked a little. When I saw the time I hurried on home. Nothing happened," Felix said firmly glaring at both Kelly and Bobby. They frowned not because Felix snapped at them but because he hadn't been on a date in nearly two years. Both Bobby and Kelly were starting to get worried about him.
"Felix just answer me one question. Was is that blonde girl, Tamora right?" Bobby asked. Felix went a bit red from embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yes, okay I was at her house but nothing happened," he said. "Any more questions?" he asked them now calming down a bit.
"No," they said together.
"Good then Kelly finish the booths and Bobby get started by making sure we have enough supplies and see where Kurt is at. We open the restaurant in 20 minutes," Felix said. They rushed off and Felix went into the kitchen to see how everything was going. Ralph and Jane, Felix's mom was busy preparing the food.
"Have you guys seen Megan or Kurt they are late?" Felix called.
"Uh nope I dropped Vanellope off at school and came right here," Ralph said.
"I seen them last night but not today," his mom replied as she put a pie in the oven. Uncle Jim and Aunt Scarlett came in and Scarlett grabbed her hostess outfit and Jim stood by the bar getting things ready to make drinks.
"Hey Mom, Dad have you guys seen Megan or Kurt, Felix was looking for them?" Ralph asked.
"Oh yeah I talked to them ten minutes ago. They are running late for they had to drop Anna off at the daycare and had to drive back home for Kurt forgot his apron. They should be here within five minutes," Scarlett said.
"Thanks Aunt Scarlett," Felix called. He was looking everything over making sure they had enough supplies, the booths were wiped down, and everything was in proper working order. Just then the doors opened and it was Megan and Kurt.
"Sorry Felix we got here as soon as we could," Megan said breathlessly as she straightened her blue blouse.
"I am going to help Kelly with the booths," Kurt said giving Megan a quick kiss.
"I will help Bobby with the sound check for the instruments," Megan said.
"Okay hurry, guys we open in fifteen minutes," Felix said. "Okay we need more sugar, salt, Ralph said we need more A1 steak sauce," Felix said making a list. The doors opened again and Felix said, "Sorry folks you will have to come back later we do not open for another fifteen minutes".
"Oh I am sure you can squeeze some time for me," said a calm voice. Felix looked up and a look of annoyance spread on his face. A man about Ralph's height but a few inches shorter and at least 250 pounds with a muscular build stood inside the restaurant with a friendly smile. The man looked about Ralph's age or maybe a few years older. He had silver gray hair held back in a ponytail. Bright green eyes with dark skin that looked like the color of burnt cinnamon, his face had sharp features, and his clothes were a snappy black suit with a white shirt underneath. A pair of shiny black loafers with a black tie and in his hand was a suitcase.
"Good morning Mr. Silver," Felix said politely.
"Please dear boy call me Andrew," Mr. Silver said walking up to him.
"Oh no," Megan whispered from behind the stage.
"What is wrong NutMeg?" Bobby asked his sister. She motioned to where Felix and the man known as Mr. Silver stood. Bobby's face frowned as he glared at Silver. "Wonder what that vulture wants?" Bobby asked. Andrew Silver was a business man that came by buying people's businesses and building his own businesses. So, far he never came to the Fix-It Ranch but seeing him here was not a good sign. Megan chewed her lip looking worried. Bobby saw this and then he gave Megan a reassuring smile. "Easy NutMeg I know Felix will fix Mr. Silver's wagon and send him on his way," he said putting an arm around her. The act calmed her down and they went back to checking the instruments.
"How can I help you?" Felix asked.
"May we talk somewhere private?" Mr. Silver asked.
"Follow me to my office please," Felix said and led him to the back towards the office. Silver sat down as did Felix. "So, Mr. Silver how may I help you?" Felix asked.
"Better question my boy is how can I help you?" Silver said smiling.
"What do you mean?" Felix asked raising an eyebrow.
"Easy, allow me to make you the best business offer ever. Say hello to the Silver Mall," Mr. Silver said. He opened up his suitcase to reveal a small paper model of a giant mall. "Picture this my boy, it will have a 50 restaurants, ten movie theaters, 20 shoe stores, and so much more this place will make this town a fortune," Silver said excitedly.
"That is great so why are you talking to me?" Felix said still not following him.
"Well I was hoping to buy your restaurant and tear it down to build this mall. It is the perfect size and location for it," Silver said.
"I am sorry Mr. Silver but this restaurant has been in my family for as long as I was alive. My mom and dad worked their tails off to make this place where it is now. My aunt and uncle along with every member of my family has made this place special. There is no way I am selling it just so you can build a mall, I am sorry but no," Felix said firmly but politely.
"Oh come on my boy think of the bigger picture here. I can understand how you feel but I will give you any amount of money you want. You and your family will never have to work a day in your life ever again. In return you will be giving many more people jobs and tourists will come," Silver said gently.
"I am sorry but my answer is still no, our restaurant makes us plenty of money and we like working and as for tourists we get plenty and they all come to see the Fix-It Ranch," Felix said.
"Come on Felix, times have changed I can turn this hick town into a tourist hotspot," Silver said.
"Look follow me and you will hear the final answer," Felix said. Silver followed him into the dining area. "Everyone come on out for a second Fix-It Family Meeting," he called. Everyone circled around Felix wondering what was going on. "Mr. Silver here wants to buy this place tear it down and build a mega mall. I already said no but he is offering us a lot of money so this affects everyone so what do you all say?" he asked them.
"Heck no," Bobby and Kelly said firmly.
"I ain't giving up this place for any amount of money," Uncle Jim said firmly.
"This is our home and our life I am not selling," Scarlett said.
"My husband and I worked so hard to get this place the way it is, I can't sell it," Jane said gently.
"I love this place I don't want to get rid of it," Megan said gently.
"Me neither I love performing for people," Kurt said.
"And I like cooking for my customer no way am I interested in selling," Ralph said folding his arms.
"Alright Mr. Silver every Fix-It besides Vanellope my eight year cousin and Anna my 5 month old niece has denied your proposal," Felix said.
"Alright Felix I know when I am beat. Just be careful now there have been a lot of break in's lately so, if you change your mind my offer stands," Mr. Silver said.
"Yeah right no one would rob us," Bobby said.
"Well I wouldn't know but be careful," Mr. Silver said as he quietly left.
"Maybe we should get some security after all there have been some break in's," Uncle Jim said.
"I will look into it right now we have a restaurant to run," Felix said and everyone went back to work. Little did Felix know his security problem was about to be solved.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.