The Plan ·
First, we hit the distribution center near the docks. We need those refrigerated units because the chips won't stay crisp if they're sitting in the sun. We'll stake them out at the transit hubs. Actually, wait, the key is the 3am window. That’s when the night shift workers are hungry. If we time the loading perfectly, we can bypass the—no, hold on, the coin slot on this vintage one is sticking.
The docks are too exposed, Ivo. We'll get spotted by the harbor patrol before we even reach the hub. If we use the old vans, we can blend in. But wait—this lighter. It's acting up again. The flint is dry.
The vans are too loud, Ivo. They'll hear the engine blocks rattling from three streets away. We need the silent approach, stealthy, through the narrow alleys behind the warehouse. If the patrol is out, they'll be looking for big white vans, not us. We move in smaller increments. Once the machines are positioned, we'll just... wait, is it the fuel or the flint? This lighter keeps flicking but nothing catches.
Small increments mean more people watching. That's more risk. We need the heavy insulation first, or the temperature will drop too fast. If we're sneaking through alleys, we'll get stuck in the gravel. Hang on. This lighter is definitely empty.
Gravel is exactly what we want; it masks the sound of the footsteps. If we use the foil-lined crates, the temperature will hold better than any van could. The insulation is the priority. We can't just dump the stock in the street. We need to secure the perimeter first. I'll bring the heavy-duty tape, the stuff that doesn't peel. Actually, the whole thing hinges on the cooling. If it gets too warm—
The tape is too loud. Every time we pull a strip, it'll echo off the warehouse walls. We need a cleaner seal. If the temperature spikes, we're ruined. Wait, the flame is finally catching, but it's yellow. It's too weak.
We'll use the wax instead of the tape. It's silent and much more effective for a seal. If we can get the heavy-duty crates to stay airtight, nothing matters. The temperature won't spike if we have the ice packs tucked into the false bottoms. We'll need the double-layered thermal wraps too. It's about the structure of the unit itself. I'll grab the plastic sheeting from the garage on the way. Let's focus on the—
Plastic sheeting is too crinkly. It’ll sound like a thunderstorm in those quiet alleys. We need the false bottoms to be heavy, or they’ll slide around. Let's stick to the wax. It's more reliable. This flame is dying already.
The wax is a good call, but it takes forever to set. We need to decide on the base weights first. If the false bottoms are too heavy, we won't be able to lift them into the hubs without making a massive racket. We could use sandbags to stabilize them? No, that's too bulky. If we use the reinforced cardboard... wait, the smell of this lighter is weird. It's almost like sulfur.
Sandbags are too messy. We'll be carrying grit all night. If the cardboard gets damp, the whole structure collapses. We need something rigid. We’ll use the stone slabs from the old mason's yard instead. It's the only way to keep it stable.
The mason's yard is too far from the docks, Ivo. We'll spend half the night just hauling the slabs. But you're right, they're heavy enough to keep the units from shifting. We can use the slabs to weigh down the bottom crates against the pavement. If the base is solid, the temperature stays consistent. We'll just need a trolley with rubber wheels. If we can find a silent one... wait, why is the gas suddenly sputtering?
Rubber wheels are too heavy for the cobblestones. They'll clatter. We should use the old wooden slats. They'll dampen the sound. If we don't have a silent trolley, we'll have to carry everything by hand. We'll be exhausted. This gas is nearly gone.
Wooden slats are too uneven; we'll trip over the gaps. If we use the thick rubber-soled mats from the old hardware shop, we can slide the crates without a single clatter. It’s about the surface area. If we can keep the base flat, the weight won't matter. It’s the precision of the placement that matters. We need to be certain about the—hold on, the flame is just a blue ghost now. It's almost out.
Rubber mats will catch on the cracks. We'll be pulling and jerking, making more noise. The slabs are better. The weight is the point. We need the weight. If the base isn't level, the chips will crush themselves. This blue flame is too dim.
If the slabs are too heavy, we'll have to use the plywood sheets to distribute the weight across the cracks. We can't just drag stone across cobblestones like amateurs. If the base is level, the pressure will be even. We’ll need to carefully layer the padding first to absorb the vibration. It’s the only way to protect the contents. But if we can't get the balance right... the flame is flickering like a dying star.
Plywood will rot if it gets damp near the docks. We can't rely on it. The pressure will be uneven, too. We need the granite pieces. They’re heavy, but they don't bend. We'll lift them at the hub. The flame is almost gone now.
Granite is too much work to move in one go. We'll be lugging stones through the alleys like we're building a wall, not setting up a distribution point. If we can source the flat granite slabs from the old quarry, they'll be thin enough to slide under the base. It's the only way to ensure the weight doesn't crush the bottom layers. If the foundation is perfect, the whole thing holds. The flame is... it's just a spark now.
The quarry is too far. The transport will take too long. If the slabs are too thin, they'll crack under the weight. We need the thick ones to be safe. We'll just have to carry them. This spark is getting cold.
We'll use the old hand-carts we found behind the bakery. They can handle the weight if we grease the axles with the heavy grease from the warehouse. If we load the thick slabs onto the carts, we can move them in a single pass. It's a synchronized effort. We need to be at the hub by the first light. If the timing is off, the whole thing falls apart. The spark is still there, though. It's just... struggling.
Grease attracts dust and hair. It’ll gunk up the wheels and make them squeak after an hour. We should use the dry graphite instead. It's cleaner. If the carts are too heavy, the first street will stop us cold. The spark is almost dead.