Marcus Riddley's Arc

Chapter 5 of 5

Marcus set the transmission down on his workbench and stepped back. Last night, the gremlins had rebuilt it perfectly. Every gear aligned, every bolt tightened, every seal in place. He ran his hand over the smooth metal and grinned. This was the third piece they'd completed this week. His patience was paying off. He carried the transmission inside and set it on the counter near the shop entrance. A restored car sat in the bay behind him, its chrome bumpers gleaming under the overhead lights. He'd finished that job two days ago with gremlin help on the differential. The paint job looked factory fresh. Marcus pulled a "For Sale" sign from his desk drawer and propped it against the windshield. This car would prove what cooperation could accomplish. When someone bought it and drove it without problems, word would spread even faster. By afternoon, Marcus had opened the shop doors wide. Three people stopped by to see the transmission and ask questions. He showed them the precise work, the clean welds, the professional assembly. Each visitor left with a business card and a new understanding. One mechanic asked about starting his own outdoor workspace. Marcus walked him through the setup—the lighting, the tool placement, the patient waiting. The conversation lasted an hour. That evening, Marcus counted the cash in his register and smiled. Two new repair orders, one carburetor job, and a deposit on the restored car. The drawer held more bills than he'd seen in months. He locked up the shop and walked to his workbench outside. The gremlins had given him something more valuable than quick repairs. They'd given him proof that his life's work mattered. He set out a fresh engine block and stepped back into the shadows, ready to see what they'd build next.