Chapter 209: Russell and Morgan

Two months later, in Pearl Street Station New York. James Russell was reading the newspaper which caused him to crumple its sides.

"Axelsen and Nielsen provide power to all of Washington with their alternating current power...Are the people in this country so dumb that I have reiterated many times that alternating current is dangerous!"

Russell couldn't bear the frustration building up inside him, so he got up from his chair and paced around the room. He had been warning people about the dangers of alternating current for years, but it seemed like no one was listening. Now, with Axelsen and Nielsen's success, he was afraid that his warnings would fall on even deafer ears.

As he walked, he heard the sound of footsteps outside his door. He turned to face it and saw his assistant, Sam, enter the room. "Good morning, Mr. Russell," Sam said, his tone respectful.

"Morning, Robert. What brings you here?" Russell asked, trying to hide the frustration in his voice.

"Mr. Morgan wanted to see you."

"Morgan?" Russell repeated. "I don't have an appointment with him now, send him away, tell him I'm busy or something."

"Mr. Russell, I don't think Morgan will take kindly to being turned away. He demanded to see you right now."

"Can't he tell that I'm busy?" Russell let out an exasperated sigh, unable to hide his frustration any longer. "Okay, tell him that I'll see him, but make sure it's quick. I don't have much time for distractions today."

Sam nodded and left the room. Russell sat back down at his desk and tried to calm himself. He knew Morgan could be difficult to deal with, but he had no choice but to meet with him.

A few minutes later, Morgan burst into the room and sat across from him.

"What a passive-aggressive entrance that you make, Mr. Morgan. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Russell asked his tone not hiding his annoyance.

Morgan ignored the jibe and got straight to the point. "The Axelsen and Nielsen Electric Manufacturing and Distribution Company has signed a deal with Washington and Ohio if you are not so informed. Those are major cities falling over their hands. What are you doing? What happened to your expansion projects? We are losing money."

"Mr. Morgan, if I may be so candid, you are pissing me off with that fake emotion of yours. Aren't you supposed to be happy since you invested in my competitor? Drop the act, tell me what you came here for, Mr. Morgan. I don't have all day," Russell said, cutting him off.

Morgan's face turned red with anger. "I came here to discuss business, Russell. The fact that you're too blind to see the potential of alternating current is not my problem. If you want to keep up with the competition, you need to start taking risks and innovating, instead of sticking with outdated technology."

Russell clenched his jaw, trying to control his temper. "I am well aware of the potential of alternating current, Mr. Morgan. I just don't believe in putting people's lives at risk for the sake of profit. And as for my expansion projects, they are still in the works. I am not interested in rushing them just to keep up with the likes of Axelsen and Nielsen."

Morgan scoffed. "Putting lives at risk you say? Where are those risks? Where are the deaths? Huh?! Tell me, Russell!"

"So you came here and demanded that I switch to ac system? Okay, I see where this is going. Let's say I did switch, how are you going to deal with the inevitable lawsuit of manslaughter?"

"I think people are not dying because they are not as dangerous as you wished they were," Morgan said and continued. "Your outdated, expensive direct current technology is holding us back. And mark my words, if you don't adapt, you will be left behind. Your company will be nothing more than a footnote in the history of electricity."

Russell's fists clenched as he struggled to keep his temper in check. "You can spout all the rhetoric you want, Morgan, but I will not compromise on safety. Direct current may not be as flashy or profitable as your alternating current, but it has a proven track record of reliability. I refuse to put people's lives at risk for the sake of your profits."

"You are so stubborn huh?" Morgan bit his lip. "Fine, since I'm the major shareholder of this company of yours I'd order that you keep up the pace because Axelsen and Nielsen electricity are winning over the country. Should you leave so far behind, I will take over and merge your business with theirs."

"What?!"

Russell's eyes widened in shock and anger. "You can't do that, Morgan! You can't just come in here and threaten to take over my company!" he exclaimed, his voice rising with each word.

Morgan just smirked. "Oh, but I can, Russell. As the major shareholder, I have the power to do whatever I want. And if you don't start making changes soon, that's exactly what I'll do. You'll be out on the street, and Axelsen and Nielsen will be the new kings of the electricity industry."

Russell was speechless, unable to form coherent thoughts as the possibility of losing his company haunted him.

Morgan saw this and added. "Look. Mr. Russell, I'm not only your investor, I'm also your customer. Now if there is someone out there offering the same services as yours, at a cheaper price, and better than yours. Then I'd be a fool to not invite them for tea...do you understand what I'm saying here?"

Russell gritted his teeth and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

"You want me to defeat the Axelsen and Nielsen Company right? Well if I did that, would my company still belong to me?" Russell asked.

"Of course, should that happen, instead of you getting devoured, it would be them," Morgan said, his voice softening.

"Then, I'll do just that, Mr. Morgan. I'll give you the proof that you are looking for," Russell said.