He hunched over his laptop, the glow reflecting in his tired eyes. The marketplace inbox blinked with new messages, a digital tide of mostly flotsam.
Subject: Giant bike - $1500 cash today?
Subject: still got the tcr? trade for my trek + $500?
Subject: Lowest price on Giant bike????
Theo scanned them with a weary cynicism, fingers automatically clicking ‘archive’ or ‘delete’. Lowballers. Time-wasters. Tire-kickers who wouldn’t know carbon fibre from cardboard. It was the inescapable static of online marketplaces, the background noise you endured for the chance of a genuine response. Annoying, yes, but he couldn’t afford despair yet. Three solid leads remained: PedalPusherPete, CycleNut88, SpeedySarah. Meetings scheduled. One of them had to bite. He clung to that hope, a drowning man clutching at driftwood. His entire pivot, his escape velocity from the gravity of his past life, depended on converting that enhanced bicycle into a thick stack of cash, and soon.
He forced himself through a morning routine, instant coffee that tasted like despair, a stale protein bar. He meticulously cleaned the Giant bike again, ensuring not a speck of dust marred its enhanced perfection. He dressed carefully, selecting clothes that projected casual competence, not desperation, clean jeans, a fitted polo shirt, his trusty blazer. Armor for the battlefield of the suburban strip mall parking lot. He confirmed the meeting time and location with PedalPusherPete via text: 2 PM, behind the aging ‘Plaza Seven’ strip mall on the edge of a nondescript suburb a few miles out. Neutral territory, hopefully quiet. He loaded the bike carefully into the back of his beat-up sedan, the sleek machine looking absurdly out of place against the car’s stained upholstery.
The drive out was tense. Every traffic light felt like a personal affront, every minute ticking down amplifying the pressure. He arrived fifteen minutes early, parking in the designated rear lot. It was mostly deserted, a couple of delivery vans, an overflowing dumpster near a back entrance for a pizza place. The air smelled faintly of grease and asphalt baking in the early afternoon sun. He leaned against his car, trying to look casual, heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his ribs. He scanned every car that pulled in, assessing, dismissing. Was Pete going to show? Was this whole thing a waste of time?
A rusty pickup truck, louder than it had any right to be, rumbled into the lot exactly at 2 PM and parked haphazardly a few spots down. A burly man in a faded band t-shirt and work boots hopped out. PedalPusherPete, presumably. He swaggered over, giving Theo a cursory nod before immediately turning his attention to the bike leaning against Theo’s car.
“So this is it, huh?” Pete’s voice was rough, dismissive. He circled the bike, kicking one of the tires lightly. “Looks okay. Scuff here, though.” He pointed to a minuscule mark on the chainstay, likely from leaning it against something. “Carbon gets brittle, y’know. One good knock…” He trailed off meaningfully.
Theo bristled but kept his voice even. “It’s practically new, barely ridden. Structurally perfect.”
Pete grunted, unimpressed. He squeezed the brake levers, spun the pedals backward, peered closely at the derailleur. “Shimano 105. Decent, I guess. Not exactly top-of-the-line, is it?”
“It’s a performance groupset, perfectly matched to the frame,” Theo countered, forcing down his irritation. This guy was clearly following the lowballer’s playbook: find fault, downplay value, create doubt.
Theo watched as Pete swung a leg over the top tube, his heavy work boot scuffing the carbon finish – Theo winced internally but kept his expression neutral. Pete clipped in with practiced, slightly aggressive movements and stomped hard on the pedals, clearly intending to put the bike through its paces immediately. Theo expected the bike to respond sluggishly under the sudden, brutish force, but instead, it leaped forward like a startled greyhound, the acceleration seemingly effortless, almost unnerving beneath Pete's bulk. Pete, visibly surprised despite himself, wobbled for a fraction of a second before regaining composure, his eyes widening almost imperceptibly before narrowing again in forced concentration.
He powered down the empty stretch of asphalt behind the strip mall, standing up on the pedals, wrenching the handlebars side-to-side as if trying to wrestle compliance from the machine. Theo could hear the crisp, instantaneous click-snap of the enhanced derailleur finding the next cog flawlessly, even under that rough treatment. No hesitation, no chain grind, just perfect, immediate shifts that seemed to anticipate Pete's demands. Pete carved a tight U-turn at the far end, leaning the bike harder than expected, testing its cornering limits. Theo saw the smooth, unwavering line, the utter lack of any frame flex or tire scrub, the machine held its edge with impossible precision, looking nimble even with Pete muscling it around. He sprinted back towards Theo, a blur of motion, then braked hard, much later than advisable, clearly testing the stopping power. The enhanced brakes bit down with smooth, decisive force, bringing him to a controlled, powerful stop without a hint of shudder or fade.
As Pete unclipped, he deliberately shook his head, scuffing his boot on the ground and avoiding Theo's gaze for a moment, breaking the spell. He ran a hand over the handlebars, trying to look contemplative, actively searching for a flaw, for justification. The flicker of genuine surprise Theo had glimpsed was gone, thoroughly buried under the carefully reconstructed mask of dismissive appraisal he’d worn since arriving.
“Right. ‘Optimized,’ you said?” Pete smirked. “Sounds like fancy talk for ‘used bike.’ It rides OK, but it’s still a used bike. Look, I’m busy. Cut the crap. Two thousand five hundred. Cash.” He patted a bulge in his jeans pocket. “Take it or leave it.”
Theo felt a jolt, anger mixing with a sickening lurch of desperation. $2500? That was $1500 below asking. It was highway robbery. But… it was also cash. Guaranteed. Enough to cover rent and living expenses, plus leave him with over $2700. A profit of $1500, instantly realized. His mind raced, calculating. The risk of holding out versus the certainty of cash now. He could pay his bills, eat properly, maybe even start looking for the next bike immediately. The pressure, the gnawing anxiety, could vanish in the next five minutes. He hesitated, the pragmatic side warring with his pride and his knowledge of the bike’s true, enhanced worth.
He watched Pete’s eyes. Despite the dismissive act, there was a flicker there, a covetous gleam as he ran a hand almost possessively over the bike’s top tube. Pete wanted it. He knew it was good, the test ride must have proven that, even if he wouldn’t admit it. He was just trying to steal it for a bargain price.
“Tell you what,” Pete said, perhaps sensing Theo’s hesitation. “I’ll go up to twenty-seven hundred. Final offer. That’s more than fair for a used bike with old components.”
$2700. $1700 profit. Still significant. Theo chewed the inside of his lip. Why was this guy wasting his time coming all the way out here if he wasn’t serious? Agreeing to a viewing implied acceptance of the general price range. This felt… insulting. It triggered that old feeling, the one from his corporate days, the feeling that the world was full of sharks trying to take advantage, trying to push him down. And maybe it was the memory of the enhanced bike’s exhilarating performance, the knowledge of its superiority, but something snapped.
“No,” Theo said, the word clipped, cold. “The price is four thousand. I might consider a reasonable offer near that, but twenty-seven hundred is wasting both our time.”
Pete’s eyes widened slightly, surprised perhaps by the firm rejection. The smirk dropped. “Suit yourself, pal.” He shrugged, took one last longing glimpse at the bike before turning back towards his truck. “Your loss.” He climbed in, slammed the door, and roared out of the parking lot, leaving Theo standing alone in the sudden quiet, the scent of exhaust fumes hanging in the air.
Theo leaned back against his car, his legs suddenly shaky. Relief warred with a fresh wave of panic. Had he just made a catastrophic mistake? $2700 cash… gone. He could be completely broke by next week if CycleNut88 or SpeedySarah fell through. He carefully loaded the bike back into his car, his hands trembling slightly. The drive back to his apartment was a blur of self-recrimination and rising dread.
That night was long. Sleep refused to come. Theo paced the confines of his messy apartment, the ghost of Pete’s offer haunting him. $2700. He could have taken it. He could be sleeping soundly right now, free from the immediate financial terror. Instead, he’d let pride, or annoyance, or a gambler’s instinct dictate his move. He stared at the bike gleaming faintly in the dark, looking more like a liability than an asset. Images of eviction notices, of sleeping rough, of the hollow-eyed despair he saw on the city streets flickered at the edges of his vision. He felt the familiar cold tendrils of his deepest fear, returning to the poverty he’d fought so hard to escape, wrapping around him. He spent most of the night staring at the ceiling, listening to the sirens, convinced he’d just thrown away his only chance.
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Tuesday. Hope, fragile but persistent, returned with the dawn. Today was CycleNut88. The enthusiast. Surely, surely, someone who understood bikes would appreciate the Giant’s true value.
He met CycleNut88 at the county bike trail parking lot mid-morning. The contrast with Pete was immediate. CycleNut88 (whose real name turned out to be Dave) arrived in full cycling kit, friendly, respectful, and genuinely knowledgeable. He inspected the bike with an expert eye, commenting appreciatively on the frame geometry, the clean condition.
“So, this ‘optimization’…” Dave began, looking intrigued rather than sceptical. “What exactly did that involve?”
Theo repeated his practiced lines about hub rebuilds, precision alignment, cable routing. He kept it vague, focusing on standard high-end workshop practices. Dave nodded thoughtfully. “Mind if I take it for a quick spin?”
“Be my guest,” Theo said, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice.
He watched Dave ride off onto the paved trail. This was it. If Dave didn’t feel the difference, didn’t recognize the bike’s superiority, Theo was likely sunk. The wait felt agonizingly long, each passing minute stretching into an eternity.
Dave returned about fifteen minutes later, pulling up with a low whistle. He was breathing a little harder, a wide grin splitting his face.
“Okay,” Dave said, shaking his head slightly in disbelief. “Wow. Just… wow. That thing flies. It’s incredibly stiff under power, accelerates like crazy, but still feels smooth. Honestly, it feels lighter and faster than my buddy’s new Cervelo that cost him nearly six grand. What on earth did you do to it?”
Relief, potent and intoxicating, flooded Theo. He managed a casual shrug. “Like I said, just careful tuning. Making sure every component works perfectly together.”
Dave looked at the bike again, then back at Theo. “Alright. The four thousand asking price is a bit steep, considering it’s a couple of years old, even in this condition. Would you take thirty-four hundred?”
Here we go. The negotiation. Theo felt steadier now, buoyed by Dave’s reaction. “I appreciate the offer, Dave, but given the performance you just experienced, which you yourself compared to a six-thousand-dollar bike, I think four thousand is more than fair. This isn’t just a stock TCR.”
They went back and forth politely for a few minutes. Dave clearly wanted the bike, and Theo knew he had the stronger hand now. Dave pointed out minor things; Theo countered by emphasizing the ride quality. Finally, Dave sighed. “Okay, look. I can do thirty-seven hundred. That’s my absolute max.”
Theo paused, pretending to consider it. $3700. $2700 profit. It was a fantastic result. “Alright, Dave,” he said, extending a hand. “You’ve got a deal.”
The handshake felt solid, real. “Awesome!” Dave beamed. “So, how do you want to do this? PayPal? Or maybe safer to do it at my bank? There’s a branch just down the road.”
Given the amount, Theo readily agreed to the bank. The short drive, the wait inside the sterile, air-conditioned branch while Dave arranged a cashier’s check, the moment the teller handed Theo the certified slip of paper, it all felt surreal. He deposited it immediately using the bank’s mobile app, watching the numbers on his screen leap upwards.
$1075.62 + $3700 = $4775.62.
He walked out of the bank into the bright sunlight, feeling ten pounds lighter. He watched Dave carefully load the enhanced Giant onto his car rack, exchange a final friendly wave, and drive off. It was done. He’d done it. The pressure valve released, leaving him giddy with relief and the thrill of success.
He immediately texted SpeedySarah, politely informing her the bike was sold. Then, impulse took over. He hadn't just survived, he'd won. He deserved a reward. He drove to a decent-looking steakhouse he’d passed on the way, a place with dark wood and leather booths that looked miles away from his usual instant noodle dinners.
He ordered the biggest ribeye on the menu, medium-rare, and a craft beer. Sitting alone in the booth, waiting for his food, he felt the familiar hum of his power, fully recharged and unused for the day. Ten charges sitting idle. On a whim, as the waiter placed the sizzling steak and frosty beer mug before him, he reached out under the table, touching the thick ceramic plate, then the glass mug.
Steak. +1 Overall Quality. Ping. Beer. +1 Overall Quality. Ping.
Two charges used. He felt the slight drain, then looked at his meal. The steak’s sear looked darker, richer. The marbling seemed more pronounced. The beer’s head was thick, creamy, the colour a deeper amber. Tentatively, he took a sip of the beer.
It was extraordinary. Crisp, complex, perfectly carbonated, with nuanced flavours he’d never noticed in beer before. It wasn’t just cold, it felt alive. Then, he cut into the steak. It sliced like butter. He took a bite.
His eyes widened. Unbelievable. Tender, intensely beefy, meltingly rich, with a perfectly rendered crust. Every flavour note was amplified, harmonized. It wasn't just a good steak, it was, without exaggeration, the best thing he had ever tasted in his life. He devoured the meal in a state of near reverence, the enhanced food and drink providing a profound, unexpected pleasure.
As he savoured the last bite, the implications hit him. Enhancing consumables. Food. Drink. What else? The potential… it was staggering. He paid the bill, $80, a splurge, but worth every penny for the meal and the revelation, and left the restaurant, his mind buzzing with new possibilities. He filed the idea away, Project Consumable, something to explore later.
Wednesday. Life settled back into a slightly less desperate rhythm. His bank balance was healthy ($4775.62 - $80 dinner = $4695.62). He checked his marketplace messages out of habit. Still mostly junk. But then, a reply from SpeedySarah.
Subject: Re: Giant TCR Sold Message: Oh no! I was really looking forward to seeing it :( Are you sure you don't have another one, or something similar? Really need an upgrade!
Theo smiled. Potential repeat business, or at least persistent interest. He typed back: Maybe. I might have another project bike I could be persuaded to part with. Give me a couple of days. Keep her hooked.
Thursday. Fuelled by his success and healthy bank balance, Theo dedicated the day to sourcing another bike. This proved harder than expected. He spent hours driving between suburban bike shops, pawn shops back in the city, scrolling through online classifieds. He burned through gas and time, frustration mounting. Finding the right combination – decent carbon frame, reputable brand, good base components, and crucially, a discounted price – wasn't easy. He spent $50 on gas and tolls, returning empty-handed and slightly discouraged.
Friday. He expanded his search radius, checking listings in towns further out. Finally, success. A bike shop an hour’s drive away had a similar Giant TCR Advanced, slightly different spec, maybe a year older, but still carbon with 105 components. They had it listed for $1300, but he negotiated them down to $1200 cash. Getting there and back cost him a painful $80 in travel expenses. But holding the new bike felt like holding potential profit. With nearly $4600 in the bank, the $1280 outlay felt like a calculated investment, not a desperate gamble.
As soon as he got the bike back to his apartment, he messaged SpeedySarah.
Good news. Managed to get my hands on another bike - similar frame, slightly better wheelset actually. It's a real gem after optimization. Given the upgrade, I'd need $4800 for this one. Still interested? Could meet Sunday.
Sarah replied almost instantly: Yes! Definitely! Sunday works great! Send me details! :)
Theo smirked. Hook, line, and sinker. Friday afternoon, he paid his Week 5 rent and budgeted living expenses (-$750). The financial security felt good, solid.
Friday Night. As he was cleaning grease off his hands after inspecting the newly acquired Bike 2, another forwarded notification from the defunct Eversharp account popped up on his phone. Another scathing one-star review. DO NOT BUY! Knife is complete garbage, rusted after one wash! SCAMMER! Theo glanced at it, felt a brief flicker of annoyance, like swatting a fly, and archived it. It barely registered. That life, the desperate scramble with cheap knives, felt distant now. He was dealing in thousands, not tens. He had capital, he had a plan, he had momentum. The complaints were ghosts of a past self, irrelevant to his current trajectory. The faint whisper about karma or righting wrongs was easily silenced by the satisfying heft of his current bank balance and the promise of the weekend's sale. His focus was forward, on the next transaction, the next step up the ladder he was building for himself, one +1 enhancement at a time.
He looked at the new bike leaning against the wall, ready for its transformation tomorrow. Then he pulled up his financial ledger on his laptop, updating it for the week so far.
Theodore Sterling - Financial Ledger (End of Friday, Week 5)
- Starting Balance (Beginning of Week 5): $1075.62
- Income (Mon-Fri):
- Sale of Bike 1 (CycleNut88): +$3700.00
- Total Income: +$3700.00
- Expenses (Mon-Fri):
- Dinner/Celebration (Tuesday): -$80.00
- Bike Search Travel (Thursday): -$50.00
- Bike 2 Purchase (Friday): -$1200.00
- Bike 2 Acquisition Travel (Friday): -$80.00
- Rent Paid (Week 5 - Paid Friday): -$450.00
- Living Expenses (Week 5 - Paid Friday): -$300.00
- Total Expenses: -$2160.00
- Net Change (Mon-Fri): $3700.00 (Income) - $2160.00 (Expenses) = +$1540.00
- Ending Balance: $2615.62
- Status: Stable. Week 5 expenses covered. Bike 1 sold successfully, validating the high-value enhancement model. Bike 2 acquired, representing inventory and potential for significant further profit. Meeting with promising buyer (SpeedySarah) scheduled for Sunday.
Theo's Position (End of Friday, Week 5):
Theo closed the ledger file, a sense of cautious satisfaction settling over him. The immediate, crushing financial pressure was gone, replaced by the stable comfort of over $2600 in the bank. He had successfully navigated the high-stakes sale of the first bike, proving his model could yield substantial profits ($2700 from one sale). He'd reinvested smartly, acquiring Bike 2, and already had a highly interested buyer lined up at an even higher price point for Sunday. The bike-flipping operation, while demanding in terms of sourcing and logistics, was working. His power felt potent, reliable, and he'd even stumbled upon a new potential application with consumables. Mentally, he was shifting from pure survival mode towards strategic growth, his confidence bolstered, even as his core ruthlessness and focus on self-preservation remained firmly intact. The weekend held the promise of doubling his week's already impressive gains.