Chapter 58：That soda is pretty good

Why? Because they taste good. I took a trip to Pennsylvania and met a man there by the name of Milton Hershey who is trying out different candy recipes. He's been specializing in caramels but is looking into making more chocolates. I was thinking that candy would be a good market to invest in.

I heard about Milton Hershey. He tried to start up his business in 1877 but it failed. Yes, but since then he's been using fresh milk in his recipes. I got a chance to sample his candy and it's good. I think people will want to eat it. Maybe. I mean, people like to eat food that tastes good. But...? Well, candy isn't very practical.

I think people will be more likely to want electricity in their homes than a candy bar. Why can't they have both? The candy will be cheap enough. True. I'm also considering the Dr. Pepper company for investing in. That soda is pretty good too.

Leo laughed. You have a fascination with food and drink. Not many people know about Hershey or Dr. Pepper. Not yet but it's a matter of time before Hershey and Pepper expand their clientele. Besides, Hershey almost went bankrupt. His story was inspiring.

I like to think of motion pictures as books you can see instead of reading. He heard Jessica cover up her laughter by coughing. He glanced at her. Was she laughing at him? Jessica, I hear that chocolate has something in it to increase sexual desire, Brad blurted out. Perhaps I should send you a sample of Hershey's candy

.Her face turned bright red. It works both ways, he continued when she didn't respond. Leo knew Brad well enough to understand he was warning her not to embarrass her husband in front of other people. It's alright, Brad. Don't worry about it. He would rather deal with his wife than have other people do it for him.

You know Helen began, Mrs. Walker had her baby today. It's another boy, and he's eight pounds and five ounces. Jessica, we should go to the hospital tomorrow and visit her. Wouldn't it be nice to see what you could bring home in nine months?

Jessica looked like she was ready to bolt to another room. Leo forced aside his amusement. If seeing a baby was what it took to make her want to consummate their marriage, then he was all for it.

I think congratulating Mrs. Walker is a good idea, he told the two women. Helen winked at him when Jessica wasn't looking. He started to smile but stopped when Jessica glanced between him and Helen. Geoffrey came out to set down the soup and take away the empty salad bowls.

Leo resumed his discussion with Brad and Mr. Edwards over which stocks looked the most promising. Then it came time for the main course, and everyone looked favorably at the veal, vegetables and baked potato. As soon as Leo took a bite of the veal, he gasped for air.

He quickly swallowed it and drank all the water in his glass. He motioned for Geoffrey to bring more water for everyone else who had noticed the unusually spicy meal. Once everyone no longer felt as if their mouths were on fire, Louis ran out of the kitchen and quickly apologized to them.

You'll have to forgive the kitchen staff. We thought the recipe called for a cup of pepper instead of a teaspoon. I am so sorry. This mistake will never happen again. We'll use index cards if we have to! He hurried to help Geoffrey remove the plates from the table.

I shall find a substitute right away! Leo was pleased to note that Louis hadn't blamed Jim in front of the guests. The middle-aged man took part of the blame on himself. He grinned. Perhaps his two chefs would get along after all. Geoffrey brought out more dinner rolls. We will be having pizza in as little as ten minutes. Suddenly, Jessica burst out laughing.

I was wondering if Jim would ever find a way to make his pizzas for dinner. You won't be sorry. He makes excellent pizzas, she told the group of bewildered people. Well, he sure did clear up my sinuses with that veal, Helen stated.

My head hasn't been this clear in months. I should ask him to give that recipe to the cooks at the nursing home. One by one, the other people began to relax and chuckled as they shared their own amusing stories of disastrous dinners. And when the pizzas finally came out, they were such a big hit that even Louis had to try a slice.

I wouldn't have thought it possible, but this is worthy of a king, he said. As he opened the door to go into the kitchen, Leo noticed that Jim looked very pleased with Louis' compliment.