“How do you make the million?”
Slim looked around. Nobody was near; he leaned close and whispered. “This is the invention of the century. We can solve the parking problem of the entire city. You know how it is—you can’t even get into a parking lot after ten a.m. Lots of businesses are threatening to put branches out in the suburbs.”
“Yes?”
“The parking problem must be solved if the city is to survive,” Slim said dramatically.
“Okay, but how can you make any more out of an old building than anybody else?”
He whispered again. “I can create a magnetic field that will slow electrons down to almost zero velocity. A car will shrink to about four inches long.” He stared at me intently. “Do you see what that will mean?”
I sighed. “I’m afraid I do. If it works, you can pack a million cars in a space that ordinarily would hold about a thousand.” I tried to stop my enthusiasm, but it was too late. The idea was taking hold. “And that garage is right across the street from Newton’s, the biggest department store in the city.”
“The parking problem was intensified last week when they abolished parking on the street so the afternoon traffic could get through. Boy, this is the spot for us!” Slim said.
“Will it take all of three hundred dollars?” I asked Slim.
He nodded gravely, “Every cent. And then it will be a shoestring.”
“Wouldn’t two hundred and ninety-nine be enough?”