Gizmos and Gadgets

Janis Windrough · January 29, 2005, 10:00 PM

OCC: cont'd from here

Janis was happy that the Gnome had not in fact laughed in his face at the idea. This was good, he had someone listening. Janis let out a bit of a smile and began to pace as he spoke his idea. He talked with a bit of a fast pace but nothing hopefully the Gnome wouldn't be able follow. "You see, I need speed as I have said, and with nothing, no skill, no materials, no nothing, only an idea I am hopeless. But I find myself 'ere and I head about the Gadgeteering buisness. Well, I think how perfect."

The Gnome got up walked over to Janis and kicked him in the shin. He then dropped back a bit and leaned against the desk he was previously working behind. He put his monicle up to his eye so as to get a better look at Janis then spoke. "I'm interested in your idea not your life story, now get on wit it!"

Janis grabbed his shin in pain for a second then realized he was being a little too wordy. He recovered himself and began to ace once more. "Well, I was thinking, I you could modify my crossbow to put some kinda contracption on there that would load bolts quickly. MAybe with each **** of the bow a new arrow could fall, or something of the sort. I really haven't much idea of what could be used to do this. That is why I am here."

Janis had kept on talking but Jabul had stopped listening after Janis said the word "fall." For that was all he really cared about. He began mumbling to himself, various ideas and mathematical dimensions. He began counting on fingers and toes even while still murmering to himself. Janis finished speaking and the Gnome went on and on. JAnis waited a few moments, in shock at the itle buggers rapid pace of mind and ater a few moments he let out a small cough to try and regain the Gnomes attention.

"Ahh yes of coarse, a but impacient aren't we...eh ye all are." The Gnome went back around to his des and fixed his moniclle in front of him and gota blank piece of paper ready. "You, Mr. Windrough I believe u said it was, give me your crossbow. I agree to take on your idea but i need time to draw up the plans. Come back tommorow and we shapp discuss whatever else it is that needs the be discussed."

Jansi was amazingly shocked at the frankness of the Gnome, however, he was a legitamite buisness person here in this town and believed it was safe to entrust his weapon with him. Jansi laid down his crossbow on the desk and then spoke, The Gnome was already taking measurments of the crossbow and doing math on the paper he had laid out in front of him. Without eve looking up the Gnome blurted out something. "Come back around mid-day tommorow, no go, off with you, leave me to my work." Janis could do nothing but obey. With that he was out the door.

Janis Windrough · January 31, 2005, 07:08 PM

Janis had returned the next day. After his morning meal and prowl, he decided it was time enough for that Gnome. Lord knows if he even slept. Gnome's...odd folk but very good with gadgets and the such. And Janis didn't in fact need him to be hospitable, just good at what he does and he had a feeling he had found that. Janis wandered the streets of Zerdargia feeling a bit awkward without the extra weight of his crossbow at his side and made his way to the Gadgeteering shop. He entered and saw his crossbow laying on the desk he had left it on. The Gnome was no where to be seen. Janis looked and soon gave a cautious "hello, anyone here?"

Just then what appeared to be the Gnome came out of a door leading to the back of the store. Janis could not see his face because he had a large piece of paper held out in front of him. He approached Janis. "Who is it, what do you want?" and then took his seat at the desk. He lowered the paper and saw Janis standing there with a slight smile on hsi face. The Gnome's expression didn't change. "Oh it's you." The Gnome said and went back to looking over the plans.

Janis was still very disturbed by the bluntness of the Gnome's ways however he was the man...or gnome, who could help him out so Janis tried to ignore the rude ways of the Gnome and continued. "So, Master Gnome, have you made any progress with the ideas?" The Gnome looked up from hsi work, still very unimpressed it seemd with anything Janis did. "Well, if you have to know, yes, I finished the pans. I was just putting the finishing touches on them before you so rudely interrupted me. Come and have a look if you please." This Gnome must of done good work for him to stay in buisness with that kind of an attitude. Janis decided he would like to have a look at the plans and approached them. On a large piece of Parchment he saw a series of drawings of a small box. One from a top, one from the side, one from the front and a cross section of it as well. As he looked the over the Gnome began to speak. "The idea is fairly simple. You see, what I've come up with is a thin box, about the length and width of a standard crossbow bolt. With some standard modifications it would attach to you weapon." As the Gnome spoke he pointed to the loading area of the crossbow. "Now in roder to reload the bolts, a small piece of metal would fit into the the box with springs mounted to the top piece. As one bolt is fired, the springs will push the piece of metal down past some sort of a stopper and load the next one. I've designed the box to hold 5 bolts. Does thins plan seem to fit your needs?"

Janis seemed to follow, what an ingenious idea. It appeared to be exatly what he was looking for. The nthe idea of price struck him. "Actually, that sounds very agreeable Master Gnome. Now how much is all this going to cost?" The Gnome looked up from under his spectacles and began to rattle off numbers. "I charge a standard 30 crowns for the drawings. The materials needed will be relatively cheap probably about 50-70 crowns. Most of you moneny will come in labor and exactly how many of these contraptions you need made. I'd say I'd charge ya a good 300 crowns per unit, Plus the 30 for the drawings." Janis thought a moment. He didn't have unlimited funds but the Gnome seemed not ready to negotiate prices. "I'll take 3" Janis sadi confidently but then stated the next part as almost and afterthoght "Perhaps I can help out a bit, and that could lower the price."

Jabul looked up at him and began to laugh. He went on for a good minute and a half just laughing. "You help ME!" The Gnome saw Janis lower his head at what apeared to be a stupid suggestion and slowed his laughter. "Oh all right, i'll take off 10 crowns a day for each day you help out. I imagine it'll take three days of good labor to finish the order. Be here tommorow by the time the sun reached just above the city walls and we shall start." Janis looked up with a large smile and walked to the Gnome with his hand outstretched. "You've got yourself a deal sir." ANd the Gnome lifted out his hand and shook it. "You can pay when all is done, now go, and don't be late." Janis was so excited he didn't even find words, just a nod and large smile and with that he loft. Better not anger the Gnome should he not be so friendly and reneg on his offer.

Janis Windrough · February 5, 2005, 11:42 PM

The next day came at a dizzying rate for Janis. He hardly slept which made getting up in time to start the day on time not a problem at all. After his normal morning jog and meal Janis headed out to the Gadgeteering shop. When he entered the shop, he thought about orking with this Gnome. Perhaps it could be good but it could probably get messy fast. He would have to watch himself. Janis took a deep breath and entered the shop. He saw the Gnome sitting at the familiar desk only this time he was not in such a formal setting. It seemed he was finishing up the last reminents of a breakfast as he sat with a cup of tea and the days copy of the Herald in front of him. Without even raising his head form the paper the Gnome began to speak. "Late, I see, should've expected as much from you." Janis's jaw dropped. What was he talking about. Janis turned his head to look out the window. He could make out the sun just peaking over the walls. Maybe this whole arrangement carried no good in it.

Soon, after a few more choice words from the Gnome, Janis was put to work. First he was given a list of tools that was needed to be layed out on the table. The Gnome would go and collect the materials needed and do what other appropriations he needed in the back. Suprisingly enough he left Janis to his own devices in the Gadgeteering shop. Janis need do nothing more but head over to the tool cabinet and begin removing what was needed but in his approach to the cabinet he was met will all sorts of interesting things astrew out all over the path. Bits and piece of metal and spring and wood finely combined together, chains, lever, gears all providing an appropriate usage. Janis couldn't help himself. He was still relatively young and curiosity got the best of him. He decided to pull one of the chains suspended from the ceiling. He graped the wooden handle on the chain and pulled down ever so gently. With this pull he felt a tap on his back. The startling tap forced him to let go of the chain. As he turned to see what had hit him he saw nothing. He decided to pull the chain again. Harder this time, and facing the opposite direction he formerly was. Thsi hsi suprise a huge hammer came down and hit Janis dead on in the chest. He was immediateyl knocked to his feet and it took quite a few moments for him to collect his breath.

The Gnome lay almost in tears laughing in the doorway to the back room. He had seen the whole thing transpire and thought it to be the most amusing of instances. As Janis got back up to his feet and gathered himself the Gnome spoke. "Serves you right ya big dumb fool. I'md glad ye found my theft deterrent system is workin ok. Now quick get on with what itold ya to do." And with that the Gnome went back into the back room. Janis, now recovered from the utterly embaressing moment, tried his hardest to will away the blush red of his face and retrieve the tools needed and bringing them back to the table.