Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 287 We are friends now!
Lionel's relaxed expression faltered slightly: "Sophie? How could you... what did you talk about?"

Alice watched Lionel's subtle changing expression, took a deep breath, and began to recall the unexpected encounter that morning.

"This morning, didn't I go to the 'Eonia Sewing Machine Factory' to pick up the new typewriter? And also to see the new prototype they improved based on feedback..."

In the factory's reception room, I ran into Miss Sophie. She was at the sewing machine factory, checking the typewriter production costs with the engineers.

Lionel's tone and expression returned to calm: "And then?"

Alice glanced at Lionel: "And then... the engineer at the sewing machine factory thought we knew each other... and then we actually did know each other..."

We...started chatting. I told her about my situation, and how I'd been helping her copy your manuscript; then she said, she said you and she were..."

Alice paused, not elaborating on Sophie's words, but Lionel could guess what she meant.

He was indeed a little troubled, but he also knew that this would happen someday.

He had been intentionally or unintentionally avoiding seeing the two of them because he didn't really want to deal with this kind of relationship.

Nothing happened between Alice and me, and my relationship with Sophie is quite stable, so let things continue as they are...

But meeting out of their sight... doesn't seem like such a bad thing?
Lionel thought for a moment and decided to explain briefly: "Alice, Sophie, she's the one I..."

Alice suddenly smiled: "Alright, Leon, Miss Sophie has told me everything. We...we're friends now!"

Lionel: "..."

Alice naturally steered the conversation toward the typing club: "Later, we talked about the typing club all the time, and I even brought her here for a visit at noon."

Lionel secretly breathed a sigh of relief and asked naturally, "What does Sophie think?"

Alice looked thoughtful: "Miss Sophie also likes it here. She asked a lot of questions, just as carefully as Mr. De La Ruwak."

After I finished explaining, she said she felt our previous plan wasn't very good..."

Lionel: "Oh?"

Alice tried hard to recall Sophie's words and began to repeat them: "She helped me do some calculations—"

We are able to make money now because typewriters are not yet widespread, and even fewer people know how to use them to make a living, so the price per copy is relatively high.

However, as more and more people become literate, typewriters will become cheaper and cheaper, just like sewing machines, and more and more people will use them.

By then, many companies, firms, and even wealthier families will buy their own typewriters.

They would hire dedicated typists, or simply have staff do the job.

The demand for going to a typing shop won't be as high as it is now.

Alice turned to look at Lionel: "She said that by then, the price per page will definitely drop due to fierce competition."

If we continue to expand the scale of the 'cooperative', we can handle tasks such as finding work, distributing tasks, proofreading, collecting payments, resolving disputes, and managing venue rentals...

These costs will rise sharply, while revenue per page will only decrease. It might be profitable now, but could very well be unprofitable in the future.

Lionel knew that these words would have a huge impact on Alice, and asked with a smile, "You believed it?"

Alice honestly admitted, "I think what she said makes sense, but I don't know what to do."

"Is the 'cooperative' just going to shut down like this, or even disband altogether? What will happen to those women?"

Lionel could imagine Alice's helplessness at that moment, and he asked softly, "And then? What else did Sophie say?" Alice's eyes lit up a little again: "She said that although the typing club doesn't need to keep expanding, the demand for learning to type will only increase."

Once the 'typing cooperative' reaches a certain scale and gains a reputation, it can gradually transform into a 'typing school' to teach people how to type.

Lionel thought to himself, "That's the answer I was looking for."

Having the experience of later generations, he certainly knew that "typing training classes" were once popular in the 1980s and early 2000s.

The main factor at the time was the widespread use of computers in office work, which led various units, institutions, and companies to start recruiting "typists".

Back then, being "proficient in typing" and "able to use Word" were things you could proudly include on your resume and display prominently.

The reason we didn't bring it up during the discussions with De La Ruwak was because we felt the timing wasn't right, and saying it too early would only make Alice overthink things.

I didn't expect Sophie to have thought of that too, and to analyze it so thoroughly—I wonder if I should ask about "Imperial Jade Liquor" next time we meet?
After a brief moment of distraction, Lionel asked, "Do you think she's right?"

Alice nodded vigorously: "Yes! Miss Sophie said that we can provide vocational training for people who need to type, and teach them how to use a typewriter."

This includes how to format documents, how to improve speed and accuracy, and even some basic letter formats... We can charge tuition!
She also said that we could sell typewriters directly to graduates through typing schools.

This way, we only need to hire a few skilled typists as teachers, and we won't have to manage so many people anymore—that's too complicated!

Alice's eyes shone with admiration, but this time it wasn't directed at Lionel in front of her, but at Sophie Denafie, who wasn't even there.

She looked at Lionel: "Such a big change... I told you I would come back and ask for your opinion."

But Miss Sophie is quite certain you'll agree with her.

Lionel nodded: "She makes a lot of sense. This approach to transformation is much wiser than blindly expanding cooperatives."

Alice, you should seriously consider this.

A look of relief flashed in Alice's eyes, then she exclaimed, "Miss Sophie...she's so clever! Leon, almost as clever as you..."

No wonder, no wonder... So those nights you didn't come home, you weren't going to brothels..."

Lionel: "..."

Alice didn't continue, but turned and went back to the typing shop: "Leon, you go back first, I'll go home later..."

Lionel nodded and said nothing more.

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Back at 117 Boulevard Saint-Germain, Lionel had regained his composure.

Since it has already happened, there is no need to dwell on "what ifs..." anymore.

Sophie proved her intelligence once again, and she was also very tactful in handling interpersonal relationships.

Or is this an innate skill of French women?

What does Sophie think of Alice? Lionel decided to ask her next time, but he had to choose the right time.

Just as I was hesitating, Petty came out, carrying a small leather handbag, and said timidly:
"Young master, I have to go to school the day after tomorrow, but I'm still a little scared..."

(End of this chapter)