SFSD-X Smackdown Challenge ✔️

2.2 The Highlander And The Salesman (Ian McKenna)

2 - Ian McKenna

The cottage was small but well kept, though the stench of too many bodies residing within a small, enclosed space could not go unnoticed. Don had counted five kids on the way in and there were another three huddled around their mother's feet. She was seated at the small table with the spinning-wheel, her hands stained from tea dye with callouses on the inside from the hard work in the fields. Her eyes not once left her work - Don's business at the house was a man's business and none of her concern. She would do what her husband wanted.

The children's bodies could be described as meager at best - a harsher term would be starving. There was not enough food to go around, let alone fill their stomachs. With the upcoming winter approaching and the harvest getting smaller every year, the chances that they all survived to see the spring sun was highly unlikely. Don felt sorry for the family - one of the reasons he had even accepted this assignment. Okay, it would also make him a lot of money but helping those people would be an added bonus.

He focused his attention back to the man in front of him who was sitting in a rocking chair, his oldest son leaning on the wall behind him. The boy was smart, there was no doubt, and even in his young face, Don could see a hint of opportunism. He could be used as a weapon against his father who must have the best interest of his offspring at heart.

Don cleared his throat. "Well, Mr. McKenna, you know why I'm here. The Countess wishes for your family to vacate her land. As you know, in the past, this has often resorted to violence but it doesn't have to be that way. You should see this as an opportunity, a new start, so to speak. In this instance, change is neither good or bad - it simply is. It will happen, so you might as well embrace it."

The man frowned at him. "I'm a simple man, Mr. Draper, and don't like change. My clan has lived on these lands for generations. Me brothers and I are very close and have no other place to go. Quite frankly, we don't want to leave."

Don gave him a mild smile - the man was totally clueless. If he wasn't off the land by the end of the month, Sellar and his minions would just remove him by force. They wouldn't shy away from burning this little croft to the ground, even if their occupants were still in it.

"I totally understand where you are coming from, Mr. McKenna. Family is important - I got a wife and three little ones myself." Don beamed at the farmer. "What would you say if I offered you a solution where you could all be together?"

That got a raised eyebrow out of McKenna. "Go on, Mr. Draper, you got my attention."

Don knew he had him - once he had people listening to him, he was in his element. His ability to sell - be it products, services, or ideas - had always been his greatest gift. "I'm sure you're not aware but slave imports have been outlawed on the new continent for almost six years. The labor force is becoming scarce in many of the states in America and a client of mine is in desperate need of farmers who want to work hard to better their lives and that of their families."

He paused to let his words sink in. With his eyes on the boy, he finally continued. "Like your son here, you and your clan could live the American Dream, maybe even buy your own land in a few years. My client is growing tobacco out in North Carolina and has the vision for the mass production of smoking sticks he calls cigarettes."

Don pulled out a paper that was tightly wrapped around a bunch of tobacco leaves. "Here, try it for yourself. It's the product of the future, Mr. McKenna, and you and your clan can be a part of it. Surely, you wouldn't want to turn your back on such on opportunity."

The farmer's rough hands picked up the cigarette and he sniffed it. "It's an intriguing concept, Mr. Draper."

Don's eyes were on fire. "Isn't it, Mr. McKenna? And you, as head of your clan, shouldn't have any issues convincing your brothers that the future is in America. Who needs the stress up here in the Highlands with the harsh winters and the poverty when you can become a rich man down in the south of a growing country?"

The farmer puckered his lips, still not convinced. "And who will pay for the passage across? We have no money."

Don gave him a slick smile. "You don't worry about that now. Consider it a sign on bonus."

Of course, the money would have to be paid back but Don was going to forget this little detail. Being indebted to their new master would guarantee his client the loyal servitude of the McKenna clan and the other families Don was going to convince to start a new life in America. Given, they would lose their liberty but at least would have not to worry about starving or freezing to death. Ultimately, it was a win-win situation.

McKenna's opposition was dwindling. "I guess I could discuss this with the other men of the clan. Your idea sounds very reasonable, Mr. Draper. I'm no fool and know that we will probably have to leave our land at some point so we as well can do it now."

Don could hardly keep the triumph from his face. People wanted to be told what to do so badly that they would listen to anyone.

Before he made it to the gate of the small farm, the boy caught up with him. "Mr. Draper, I know exactly what you're doing."

Don spun around and found his eyes. "And what am I doing, son?"

The boy didn't even flinch. "That life you promised my father will not be much better than here. Everything in this world cost money, Mr. Draper, and no one will pay for twenty five families to cross the Atlantic and not expect anything in return."

Don rubbed his chin - damn, that kid was smart. "What do you want, kid?"

The boy pushed up his chin. "When we get to America, I want to train under you. Teach me everything you know."

Don couldn't help but smile. "You sure about that? I hope you know what you're signing up to because I'm really an asshole."

The boy nodded eagerly. "It was fate that brought us together, Mr. Draper, and I really want to learn."

Don gazed into his flushed face, the boy's eyes sparkling with excitement. In so many ways, he reminded Don of himself when he was that age and the kid deserved this chance. "Lesson number one - don't believe in fate, son. You make your own opportunities, just like you did today."

The boy grinned from ear to ear. "Is that a yes, sir?"

Don's smile was just as wide. "It sure is."