Chapter 49: The Business Growth
The "HELP WANTED" sign went up on a Tuesday morning.
Ben stood back, assessing the handwritten poster taped to the shop's front window. His MacGyver Mind had optimized the wording: "EXPERIENCED MECHANICS NEEDED. Fair wages, good environment, South Side location. Apply within."
"You're really doing this," Carl said from behind him.
"Shop has more work than I can handle alone." Ben adjusted the sign slightly. "Time to hire help."
"Who's gonna want to work for Lucky Ben?" But Carl's tone was teasing, not mocking.
"Let's find out."
By noon, seven people had applied.
The first three Ben rejected immediately—one was drunk, one had warrants he admitted to upfront, one couldn't tell a carburetor from a transmission. The fourth showed promise but wanted cash under the table for child support reasons. Ben sympathized but couldn't risk off-books employees.
The fifth applicant was a woman in her forties named Maria Rodriguez.
"I worked at Martinez Auto for fifteen years," she said, resume printed on cheap paper. "Until Martinez sold the shop and the new owner fired everyone over forty."
Ben reviewed her credentials. Solid experience, certifications for multiple systems, references from satisfied customers. "Why do you want to work here?"
"Because I need a job and you're the only shop in five miles hiring." Maria met his eyes directly. "But also because I've heard you're fair. Pay on time, treat people decent, don't screw them over. That's rare in South Side."
"Can you start Monday?"
Her expression shifted from professional to relieved. "Seriously?"
"Fifteen dollars an hour to start, more based on performance. Cash or check, your choice. Eight-hour days, no weekends unless emergency. Fair treatment, fair expectations." Ben extended his hand. "Welcome aboard."
They shook. Maria left with a work schedule and visible hope.
The sixth applicant was Tommy Chen, mid-twenties, eager and undertrained. "I'm still learning," he admitted. "But I work hard and I'm good with electronics. Modern cars are basically computers, right?"
Ben hired him as an apprentice at twelve dollars an hour with clear expectations: learn fast, ask questions, don't touch anything without supervision until proven competent.
The seventh applicant was Marcus Washington, experienced mechanic in his fifties who'd been blackballed by the major shops for union organizing attempts.
"I'm honest about what I am," Marcus said. "I think workers deserve fair treatment, decent wages, safe conditions. If that's a problem—"
"That's not a problem. Those are basic decent standards." Ben hired him at sixteen dollars an hour.
By 3 PM, Ben had a full staff scheduled to start Monday.
Carl helped set up the new workstations that weekend.
They rearranged the shop for three mechanics plus Ben—individual bays, shared tool areas, organized storage. Ben used his MacGyver Mind to optimize workflow, creating efficient systems that wouldn't require constant supervision.
"You're really paying them that much?" Carl asked, marking station assignments.
"It's fair wages for skilled work."
"Most shops pay ten bucks an hour, cash."
"Most shops treat employees like disposable resources. I'm building something better." Ben tested a lift mechanism, confirmed smooth operation. "You watching this, Carl? This is how you run a business—treat people with respect, pay fairly, create good work environment. They'll be loyal, work hard, care about quality."
Carl absorbed the lesson silently, helping organize tools with new attention to detail.
V stopped by Saturday afternoon with sandwiches. "Heard you're expanding."
"Three employees starting Monday."
"Look at you, Lucky Ben. Business owner, job creator, upstanding citizen." She grinned. "Who would've thought?"
"Not me, that's for sure." Ben accepted a sandwich gratefully. "Two years ago I was living in a garage with nothing. Now I've got employees."
"That's the South Side dream right there. Start with nothing, build something real." V looked around the organized shop. "You're changing this neighborhood. Not just fixing cars—creating jobs, showing people things can be better. That matters."
"Just trying to survive and take care of family."
"Yeah, but you're doing it right. That's the difference."
Monday morning, Ben's three employees arrived early.
He walked them through shop procedures, safety protocols, customer service expectations. Maria picked everything up immediately. Tommy asked good questions. Marcus already knew most of it but appreciated the thoroughness.
"Payment is every Friday," Ben explained. "Cash or check, you choose. No shorting hours, no excuses. You work, you get paid fairly and on time. Clear?"
"Clear," they chorused.
The first week was adjustment—learning each other's work styles, establishing rhythm, building trust. Maria was steady and skilled, handling complex repairs with quiet competence. Tommy was eager but needed supervision, which Ben and Maria provided patiently. Marcus was experienced and efficient, quickly becoming the shop's anchor.
By the second week, they functioned as a team. Ben could delegate repairs, focus on customer relations, handle business administration. The shop ran smoothly even when he needed to leave for family emergencies or wedding planning.
"This is weird," Tommy said Friday afternoon, accepting his first paycheck. "I've never worked somewhere that actually paid what they promised."
"Get used to it," Maria told him. "This is how jobs should work."
Ben watched his employees celebrate payday—small amounts by rich people's standards but significant for South Side workers. He'd created this. Built something that sustained not just himself but others. The shop was becoming community infrastructure.
That night, Fiona found him reviewing business finances at the kitchen table.
"Your shop's doing really well," she observed, reading over his shoulder.
"Well enough. Paying three employees plus expenses, still saving for the wedding, keeping bills covered."
"You built this in less than a year. That's impressive." She sat beside him. "I'm proud of you."
"Couldn't have done it without community support. People gave me chances, trusted Lucky Ben even when he was unproven." Ben closed the laptop. "Now I'm returning that by creating jobs."
"Ever think about what comes next? Like, long-term business planning?"
"Sometimes. But honestly, I'm focused on short-term—get to the wedding, keep everyone safe, maintain what we've built." Survive the cocaine crisis. Prevent Fiona's arrest. Protect Liam. "Long-term planning can wait until life's less chaotic."
Fiona laughed. "Life's never less chaotic. We're Gallaghers."
"Fair point."
She looked at his savings calculations. "We're going to make it, right? To the wedding? Everything's going to work out?"
If I prevent disaster successfully. If my preparations are sufficient. If I can protect everyone from the threats approaching.
"We're going to make it," Ben said with confidence he didn't fully feel. "July twenty-seventh. You and me."
"You and me," she echoed. "I like the sound of that."
Later, after Fiona slept, Ben returned to his contingency plans. The business growth was strategic—delegating work freed his time for family protection. When the cocaine crisis hit in coming weeks, he'd need to be present, available, ready to intervene.
Three employees handling shop operations. Extensive prep completed. Wedding in three months. Disaster in weeks. Everything's in position.
He reviewed his Narcan locations, child-proofing measures, documentation systems. Everything ready. Everything prepared.
Now he just had to wait for the crisis to arrive and trust that his preparation would be enough to survive it.
Outside, May approached with warm nights and spring rain. Inside, Ben Fisher—transmigrator, mechanic, fiancé, guardian—prepared for the test he'd been dreading since February.
Let it come. I'm ready.
Author's Note / Promotion:
Your Reviews and Power Stones are the best way to show support. They help me know what you're enjoying and bring in new readers!
You don't have to. Get instant access to more content by supporting me on Patreon. I have three options so you can pick how far ahead you want to be:
🪙 Silver Tier ($6): Read 10 chapters ahead of the public site.
👑 Gold Tier ($9): Get 15-20 chapters ahead of the public site.
💎 Platinum Tier ($15): The ultimate experience. Get new chapters the second I finish them . No waiting for weekly drops, just pure, instant access.
Your support helps me write more .
👉 Find it all at patreon.com/fanficwriter1