Book Title: The Widowmaker 1200 Short Story

Chapter Three: The Search for the Holy Grail of Chrome

Three Disappointing Shop Stops

The Two-Wheel Trust: This dealer is "everything I secretly dreaded." The lead bike, the 'Reliant Rider 400,' is a "pure, unadventurous dependability" cruiser, offered in the soul-crushing sand dune beige. Dad loves the low-speed touring capacity and high safety rating, while Bruce is miserable, seeing only a leaf blower's engine.

Chrome City Customs: A stark contrast, this shop is loud and filled with bikes plated in chrome or covered in flames. Bruce spots a gorgeous, terrifying cherry red 'Road Reaper,' but it costs seventeen thousand dollars, far exceeding their budget and maturity level. The only affordable option is a solid cruiser painted an unappealing 'Neon Puke Green.'

Big Bob's Big Bike Emporium: Overwhelmed and pressed for time due to the National Golf Open, Dad gives Bruce 30 minutes to look. Bruce is momentarily excited by a sporty, metallic emerald green bike, but the only "red one" in stock turns out to be a tiny, embarrassing scooter called the 'Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah 125.'

The Last-Ditch Effort

Frustrated by the beige, neon, and scooter options, and desperate to catch the golf tournament, Dad is ready to quit. However, Bruce begs for "just one more" stop at a dealer called 'The Iron Horse,' which he saw on the way. Dad agrees, making Bruce promise a major parental sacrifice—taking up synchronized swimming—if he misses the final golf putt. Bruce is willing to risk anything for one more chance at two-wheeled redemption.

Would you like to hear about Bruce's visit to the final dealer, 'The Iron Horse'?

Book Title: The Widowmaker 1200 Short Story

Author: Warren M. Walker

Publisher: V & W Publishing

https://publishing.irishknights.co.za/the-widowmaker-1200-short-story/

Available on Amazon.com:

Kindle:

https://www.amazon.com/The-Widowmaker-1200-Short-Story-By-Warren-Walker/dp/B0FV3V1ZLH

Paperback:

https://www.amazon.com/The-Widowmaker-1200-Short-Story-By-Warren-Walker/dp/B0FVT2YK47

Book Title: The Widowmaker 1200 Short Story

Chapter Two: The Six-Month Freeze & The Sweet Smell of Freedom

Bruce is immediately hired by the perpetually sticky Mr. Henderson, who introduces him to the job's main enemy: the "Concrete Scoop," the physically demanding act of scooping frozen, hard ice cream flavors. Despite the "shame" of the teal polo, the paper hat, and the pervasive smell of vanilla, Bruce views every painful scoop as a deposit toward his dream bike, the Widowmaker 1200.

Over the next six months, Bruce endures the monotonous routine and the eccentric customers, viewing the work as "character-building" and "grit." He develops extreme fiscal discipline, saving every paycheck, duct-taping his worn shoes instead of buying new ones, and even walking to work to save on gas. His parents watch with a mix of pride and horror at his newfound minimalist genius.

Finally, after half a year of hard work, Bruce hits his goal, earning $3,000.17. He excitedly shares the news with his parents. His father, Patrick, is overcome with paternal pride, declaring Bruce has "earned his freedom." His mother, Jill, immediately shifts from fear to action, planning safety gear. The chapter concludes as Bruce and his father head out to the dealership to buy a sensible, pre-owned Japanese bike, with Bruce ready to "trade in the scoop for the throttle."

Book Title: The Widowmaker 1200 Short Story

Author: Warren M. Walker

Publisher: V & W Publishing

https://publishing.irishknights.co.za/the-widowmaker-1200-short-story/

Available on Amazon.com:

Kindle:

https://www.amazon.com/The-Widowmaker-1200-Short-Story-By-Warren-Walker/dp/B0FV3V1ZLH

Paperback:

https://www.amazon.com/The-Widowmaker-1200-Short-Story-By-Warren-Walker/dp/B0FVT2YK47

Book Title: The Widowmaker 1200 Short Story

Chapter One: The Widowmaker 1200 & The Parental Contract

The chapter establishes the dynamics of the Fettles family: a home filled with Dad's overly complex brewing projects and Mom's excessive baking, all underscoring their boundless, though often overwhelming, parental aspiration. Bruce's desire for the cherry-red, chrome-plated Widowmaker represents everything the tranquil suburb is not, freedom, speed, and rebellion.

At dinner, Bruce cautiously drops the "M-bomb," asking for a motorcycle. Predictably, his mother instantly fears the danger, while his father views the request as a perfect opportunity to instill the value of hard work. Instead of the full-scale war Bruce expected, his parents present a surprisingly generous "Parental Contract."

They propose a fifty-fifty deal: they will pay for half the cost of a "sensible" motorcycle, and Bruce must earn the other half of the money by getting a proper job. They immediately promise to deposit their share, three thousand dollars, into a new savings account to show the goal is real.

Overwhelmed but thrilled, Bruce accepts the challenge. He sees the motorcycle as tangibly achievable, a dream half-funded and waiting for him to catch up. Despite the inevitable parental oversight and the need to find a job that meets his mother's safety criteria, Bruce is determined to earn his $3,000, motivated by the exhilarating image of the motorcycle soaring through the air.

Book Title: The Widowmaker 1200 Short Story

Author: Warren M. Walker

Publisher: V & W Publishing

https://publishing.irishknights.co.za/the-widowmaker-1200-short-story/

Available on Amazon.com:

Kindle:

https://www.amazon.com/The-Widowmaker-1200-Short-Story-By-Warren-Walker/dp/B0FV3V1ZLH

Paperback:

https://www.amazon.com/The-Widowmaker-1200-Short-Story-By-Warren-Walker/dp/B0FVT2YK47