Brad Mufflen Makes Ripples
Copyright© 2026 by Thinker
Chapter 5B
So after he celebrated his fifty-eighth birthday he chose to travel back through Fleet World to see if anyone he knew was still around. He found Hugo and Genevieve there and spent a few days with them, surprising Ginny with his French, but he now knew it was Good Fortune he needed to return to and see his remaining family. He had been writing several times a year and knew his mother was old and frail, so he went there next.
All his siblings were in their late forties to fifties and his mother was in her eighties. His family was entranced by his stories and he asked about his friends. He learned that Eleanor was now the head of the mining company and had greatly altered its operation to benefit those who worked in it and the various businesses that supported it. With her changes the mine was more profitable and the workers much happier. She had never married and had no children. Her father was gone nownow, and her mother was said to be veyvery weak and in poor health.
He joined his family infor dinner and played with the children who were all impressed that he was a Princeprince. He promised to return and went back to the Superior Hotel, the oldest and rumored best in town. When he came in, the manager saw him “Brad? What in the world? ... where Where have you been all these years.?” He turned and smiled at his old classmate. “That’s a long story Howard, but my wife died last year and our son took the throne, so I just left and came to see my folks.” Howard Howard’s eyes opened “Throne Brad? You are royalty?” Brad laughed I was Prince prince Consort consort to her highness Grace II of Campbell’s World. That’s the high falutin’ way of saying kept man and sire of the royal family, although my wife and I were very much in love and quite happy together.” Howard laughed but the young woman working the desk turned a bit pink. “I didn’t see that we had the suite rented out, where did the they put you? Howard asked.”
“Oh it’s OK, I have a room on the second floor. I didn’t give them anything but my birth name.” Howard shook his head “OH No!, I know enough to know you rank way above that. Eleanor got a bit tipsy once and told us that you were the one who flew that shuttle and saved the system from those aliens and that you made Commander commander and had a Fighter fighter Wing wing Command command in just four years, then married the Captain captain of the ship and disappeared. You will get the Suite suite and at the same price., Evelyn, see to having getting him transferred to the suite immediately, please.” Evelyn was obviously paying attention now and she moved quickly to do as she had been told. Brad found the suite spacious and a huge step up in every way. He went down to dinner and found that Howard had informed the kitchen and dining staff as well. Dinner was much better than what was offered on the menu. In the lobby he found Howard and thanked him, then asked about how he might find Eleanor. Howard looked serious “I am not sure. I am not sure if she’d be happy to see you, as you bring a lot of memories back, but she might be about to leave the building across the street, which is the corporate office and city administration building. It’s a chance, but hurry.” Brad nodded and walked out and across the street and into the building where he saw a guard at the desk and a lady speaking with him, who resembled an older Eleanor with gray hair.
The Guard guard glanced his way “I am sorry sir, we are closed now, come back tomorrow if you would.” Eleanor turned and squinted as Brad had the light behind him...”I just came to ask Eleanor if she’d like to take in a movie and supper with me” Brad asked smoothly. The guard looked at Eleanor who was not moving, then she shook her head ever so slightly “You need a new pick uppick-up line Brad, the theater here closed well over a decade ago, but supper and a chance to catch up a bit would be nice. Where is Donna?” She saw his shoulders sag, butsag but still couldn’t make out his face “I lost her a bit over a year ago to cancer.” His voice told of the hurt and loss. “Oh, I am so sorry Brad ... what brings you here? family no doubt.” Brad nodded and she was able to see that “Yes, Mother is in her eighties now and I badly needed to renew my connections with the family, but I was also wanting to know how you were, I have always cared, as you should understand.” Eleanor had to take a breath and control herself,; her eyes started to tear... “Even after I stiffed you all those years ago Brad?” He nodded, “Yes, I knew it was your parentsparents, and you were honoring their wishes. It hurt, but I still do care.” Eleanor walked his way and shook her head “You never give up, do you?”
“No, I guess I was never able to forget you. I have loved other women, but you have always been a shadow behind all of them, I never really got over you.” Eleanor stopped in front of him “You have aged very well, still a very fit and attractive man. May I suggest we just go across the street to the Hotelhotel,; their restaurant isn’t bad.”
“No, it was very good, butgood but allow me to buy you dinner and we can catch up some.” You have eaten?”
“Yes, and then I was told you might be over here and close to leaving. I needed to see you ... just the way I am.”
Eleanor nodded and stepped forward, Brad turned and gave her his armarm, and they walked across the street and into the dining room. The Maitre de’ looked up slightly startled “Same table Your Highness?” Brad nodded “Yes that would be fine, the Lady lady hasn’t eaten, so I’ll keep her company.”
“Of Course course Sir, this way please...” After they had been seated and the Maitre de left, Eleanor looked at him “Your Highness? You have been ennobled? nay, more than that, since that’s Royalty royalty isn’t it?” Brad nodded “Donna Merriwather wasn’t just a Captaincaptain, she was also the rightful Queen queen of Campbell’s World. Since I had married her, and she flatly refused to have it nullified, they had to make me Prince prince Consortconsort. It’s a way to give a lady her husband without having him in the royal line. My Son son is now King king there.” Eleanor looked at him and shook her head, well beats marrying a mine owner’s daughter all to hell.” Brad shook his head “No, I would have married you in a second if given the choice “ Brad said. A waitress showed up and Brad gave Eleanor time to order, ordered a Cognac cognac for himself and had them put it all on his bill, then they went back to talking. When she had finished and they noted folks still waiting to get in, they rose and left, in the lobby he took her hand and she faced him “I’d like to continue our talking, but it would look tacky to take you up to my room; what would be a good time and place to meet up tomorrow?” Eleanor smirked at him “You aren’t going to try and take advantage of me?” Brad shook his head ‘No’ “It would be most thoughtless to have you go to my room and leave a couple of hours later ... or worse if a person of such import in this community were to do the walk of shame in the morning. I wouldn’t think of being so indiscreet.”
“Oh my, you are rather sure of yourself Mr. prince consort.”
“No, not all. I am still just trying to be ready for every eventuality. It will always be with your agreement or not at all.” She squeezed his hand, perhaps we can meet here about noonnoon, and I’ll show you where I live now. Dad has been gone ten years now and Mom is very frail and not at all happy. I think she wishes I had married you in hind sighthindsight.” Brad nodded, “Very well, here at noon tomorrow. may I kiss you?” Eleanor shook her head and stepped back “No please, there are too many people here, it would be all over town tomorrow.” She smiled “I am glad to see you and looking forward to talking some more tomorrow” she turned and walked out while Brad watched for a moment and then went up to his room.
He did a light work out in the hotel gym, swam a few laps and went up to and cleaned up going down to breakfast about seven forty five the next morning. He had a cup of mixed fruit, an omelet with a side of sausage and a biscuit along with two cups of coffee. It was shortly after eight when he received a message, as he was getting ready to leave. It was from Eleanor and asked if he could join her and her mother for lunch, and gave an address. With no obvious way to respond, he went to the front desk and asked if they had a way to answer the message, they assured him they did, so he told them to say he’d be delighted to join them for lunch.
Brad showed at the address given at 12:30 as requested. It was a large manor, three stories tall and a large walled garden all around on an even larger estate. He had never been here before as it was a forbidden area for commoners when he was growing up. It was meant to present the owners as wealthy and important, sort of to intimidate those invited. He didn’t like it immediately, immediately; it was not warm or inviting at all. The palace at Campbell’s World was a far warmer. He knocked at the doordoor, and a man answered the door. “Mr. Mufflen?” The man’s tone irritated him and his belittling attitude as well “No, I am Prince prince Consort consort to her majesty Queen Grace the second of Campbell’s World.” The man’s face went a trifle white, my apologies sir, I was expecting someone else, please come in and I shall get Lady Hamilton.” He disappeared and moments later Eleanor came in and cocked her head “Brad, did you just feed Jeeves a line?” ... then she shook her head, “no of course not, my fault, I didn’t tell him who you were, since we had been rather comfortable together, my apologies if he was rude.” Brad smiled and nodded “I never liked all the formality much, but had he greeted anyone like that at the Palace at Campbell’s World, he’d have been farming cabbage the next morning.” Eleanor stared... “My apologies, please come in, mother is anxious to meet you again for some reason.” Brad followed her into a nice sitting room with a fire in the fireplace, which Louise was sitting next to. She gave Brad a smile and held out a hand to him “Please, come sit by me Brad, I have something important to say.” Brad sat next to Louise where she indicatedindicated, and Eleanor sat across from them but a few feet away. Louise took Brad’s hand and held it between both of hers “I owe you a huge apology Brad, for not disregarding my husband’s snotty attitude and telling Eleanor to marry you and be happy. InsteadInstead, she has led a boring barren life supporting her father’s wishes, misguided as they were, in this cold barren museum of ostentatious furnishings.” She turned and looked at Eleanor, “I hope the two of you can rebuild a warm loving relationship together, for you need it desperately my child. Build a home together and this place can become a mortuary.” Brad squeezed her hands gently “I believe I sense a bit of dissatisfaction with things, Louise, but I shall see what we can work out together.” Louis nodded “Thank You Brad, and I am glad you set Jeeves straight, straight; he thinks he is a noble of some sort it seems. Eleanor keeps him on only because her father asked her to. Jeeves makes sure no potential dates come back.”
Lunch was slightly strained, despite Louise’s efforts to get things relaxed. Brad realized he had created some unwelcome tensions, but he wasn’t so sure that letting the Butler butler treat him as some second rate wanna be visitor would have worked any better. He did not stay long after the lunchlunch, as he could tell Louise was tiring and Eleanor was uncomfortable. He thanked them for their hospitality and rose to leave. Eleanor rose as well, butwell but kept her distance as he started for the door., but Louise stood with some effort and walked toward him, so he turned back and took her hands. “If she won’t give you a hug, then I will Brad, you have proven to be a fine man.” She hugged him and he hugged he her back, then kissed the back of her hand before assisting her back to her chair and turning for the door. Eleanor had a strange look on he her face ... confusion certainly being a part of it. He stopped and thanked her again at the door, and offered his hand, which she took, he gave her firm handshake and left, glad to be out of the house. It had not gone at all as he had hoped. He walked back toward the Hotelhotel, thinking about how things were going in Superior. He walked into the Hotel hotel lobby unannounced and since there was no vehicle, a bit unexpected. Howard and an attractive young woman about his height were talking about money and who was unwilling to ‘Buy buy in”. He startled them and Howard was quick to turn and greet him. “Good lunch? ... not so much I think.” Brad smiled and shook his head ‘no’. He had noticed several people in the office behind the desk trying to listen to what they had been saying. “If You have a moment Howard, why don’t the two of you join me over in the corner for a few minutes?” Howard looked at him curiously, so he just gave him a little head move and walked over to the corner. He turned and Howard was following him while the young lady went to work behind the desk. Brad sat down and motioned for Howard to do the same “You seem to be trying to raise funds for something? Having some issues?” Howard nodded “Not many want the risk.” Brad nodded “So what are you trying to do?” Howard sighed “Well originally were just going to buy the burger place and put a put-putputt-putt golf course in beside it. There were a fair number of people who were interested in putting up a little money, but it was looking to be a slight stretch. Then I learned that the owners of this Hotel hotel want to sell it and that looked like a far better risk, but it seems it was too big for my proposed investors. I am struggling to get financingfinancing, and it is looking very, very costly to borrow that kind of money.” Brad nodded. “I gather you are a new borrower and have no previous history in large loans?” Howard nodded “Yes, that’s a large part of it, it seems.”
“So how much are you looking to borrow?” Howard sighed, Actually I should get Sarah over here, she has done all the costing estimates for what we can do with various amounts of money and the expected returns on those endeavors.” Brad smiled, “I’d be interested, I do have some money I could invest, I’d like to hear her estimates.”
“OK, give me a moment please” and Howard rose and went to the desk and pointed to Brad while talking to the tall lady, then he had someone else come out and man run the desk. He and ‘Sarah’ returned. Brad stood “Bradley Mufflen, without all the foam and fuss.” She smiled ‘Sarah Montford, glad to meet you, dad has been telling me about some of your adventures.”
“Wild exaggerationsexaggerations, I am sure; so what all are you trying to do?” She laughed “Well buy the hotel, then if wwe have enough to convert some 5th floor rooms into a second Suitesuite. We have had situations where the second suite was clearly needed. Then we want to buy and improve the burger joint in town,; the current owner is tired and wants out, the problem is it is just too small and limited for the population we have now. Lastly, we think we need a big auditorium for plays, music groups and maybe some old movies.” Brad laughed, “Well I asked. It’s too many things at once. the Hotel hotel seems to be the number one project and it comes mostly ready to run. That means you are getting income right away. I think the Burger burger place may be a very good Idea, but as a restaurant with sit down meals for those who want that and a burger place on the other side of the building ... not connected except through the kitchen. Then you add a play area, say Miniature miniature golf, an electronic games room and that is off of the Burger burger Side side of the business. The theater comes later when the other two are up and running well.” Sarah nodded “Yes, that makes sense and is sort of how I saw it happening too, but I was just looking at the burger side of it.” Brad nodded “But not everyone wants to put up with just burgers and the noise of the kids. A hamburger can become salisbury steak very easily. served on a plate at a table where adults can talk, it’s a draw too. Steaks and pork chops all can be cooked on the same griddle with the Hamburgershamburgers, although I’d have separate griddles for each side of the restaurant.” He could see Sarah thinking... “That makes a whole lot of good sense, Brad, I’m glad you talked with us, now all we need is some funding. Any ideas?” She saidasked. Brad smiled, “Oh yeah, but I want in and some say in what we do as well as how. I can probably cover the Hotel hotel and Restaurant restaurant to start.” Sarah’s eye browseyebrows went up “Really? That’s not pocket change we are talking.” Brad nodded, “I have moderately deep pocketspockets, and I know where there is more if we meet their standards for loans. I’d like to get my son Thomas out here,; he is a business degree graduate and making him use the skills is the best way to drive them home, but I’ll be the final say and POC for you and your dad.” Sarah nodded “I am in, how about you Dad?” Howard smiled “I’ll want to see a hard copy plan with everything spelled, much as I expect Brad will.” Brad smile and nodded “What he said.”
Brad felt the Suite suite in the hotel was a bit more than he needed or wanted to keep spending, so he found a furnished apartment he could rent. He still felt the snub Eleanor had given him and did nothing to encourage any further meetings or contact. He had noted a house under construction that was now for sale as the original buyer had had a change in situation, what everwhatever that meant. He had inquired about it but was now unsure of how long he might be staying. then again, if he invested in the Hotel hotel and Restaurantrestaurant, he might have use for a house here. The apartment was a stopgap solutionsolution, and he was seeing that clearly now. He used the space available feature of the Latch Frame military communications system, that was now trying to cover it’sits costs in a federation at peace. It was pricy, but much faster than any other means of communication. He contacted his daughter Alexa to find out where he could find Thomas. The response the next day was from Thomas who was aton Earth and wanted to know what was up? He answered and told him to come to the Good Fortune system, specifically Superior, the capital.