**A New Venture for Gunsmith Cats**
Prompt: Gunsmith cats fanfiction Becky asks may and rally if they’ve thought about expanding
Becky sat at the counter of their bustling gun shop in Chicago, cleaning a Walther PPK with the meticulous care that showed her experience and love for her craft. It was a typical Saturday, with customers mingling and the smell of gun oil filling the air. As she wiped down the barrel, her mind began to drift into thoughts that had nothing to do with firearms. She looked up and spotted May and Rally at the back of the shop, deep in conversation about a new shipment that had just arrived.
"Hey, you two! Can I ask you something?" Becky called, snapping them out of their discussion.
May, with her short-cropped hair and energetic demeanor, perked up first. “Sure, Beck! What’s on your mind?”
Rally, the cool-headed leader of their little trio, raised an eyebrow, her brown eyes curious. “Yeah, what’s up?”
Becky set the PPK aside and wiped her hands on a rag, her heart beating a little faster. “Have you guys ever thought about… expanding? I mean, just think about it. This place is great, but there’s so much more we could do!”
Rally crossed her arms, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. “Expand how? We already sell the best guns and gear in the city, and we’ve got a solid customer base."
“You know, we could start offering more training programs or maybe even classes!” Becky enthused. “There are people out there who want to shoot but don’t know where to start. We could be the go-to place for safety and marksmanship!”
“Training programs? That sounds… interesting,” May mused, tapping her chin lightly. “But wouldn’t that require a lot of extra work?”
“Of course, but think about how much good it could do! We could host events and attract a whole new clientele,” Becky replied passionately. “Plus, we’d get to share our skills. You two have way more shooting experience than most people, and you could really make a difference.”
Rally nodded slowly, digesting Becky’s idea. “I see what you're saying, but... we’d need more space. We can’t exactly fit a target range in here. Not to mention staff, permits—”
“Oh, come on! We don’t need a full-scale range to make it work,” Becky interrupted. “What if we just set up some classes in a nearby park? Or, heck, even do some one-on-one sessions in the shop after hours. Just to test the waters.”
“Now that’s an idea,” May chimed in, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “We could introduce people to the basics of gun safety and shooting! And if it goes well, then we could consider renting actual range time elsewhere. I bet we’d attract a bunch of new customers.”
Rally raised a finger, signaling for silence as she weighed the options carefully. “It’s a big commitment, you know? It’s not just about teaching; we’ll need to make sure we’re following all the regulations. And we don’t want to put the shop’s reputation on the line.”
“Trust me, we could handle it,” Becky reassured her. “Plus, with your street-smart skills and May’s vibrant energy, we’ll attract attention. It could really work.”
For a moment, the three women stood in a contemplative silence, the hum of the shop buzzing around them. Rally finally sighed and dropped her arms. “Alright, I’m willing to give it a go, but we need a solid plan. If we’re going to do this, let’s do it right.”
“Yay!” May clapped her hands, her excitement bubbling over. “So, what’s our first step?”
“First, we’ll put out a feeler,” Becky suggested. “We can make some flyers and see how many people would be interested in something like this. We could even offer a free orientation seminar. You know, something low-key to gauge interest.”
Rally nodded, the gears turning in her head. “Agreed. I’ll handle the flyer designs. They need to look professional. May, you could help with social media to reach a broader audience.”
“Absolutely! We can post it on all the platforms!” May replied eagerly, already picturing the vibrant graphics in her mind. “I’ll brainstorm some ideas tonight.”
“Let’s meet again in a couple of days to see what we’ve come up with," Rally said as she began heading back to the front of the shop. “And remember, we can’t rush this. If we’re going to expand, we have to do it thoughtfully.”
As May and Becky followed her lead, excitement bubbled in Becky’s chest. She had been talking about branching out for what felt like ages, and now, they were actually going to take steps toward making it happen.
Days turned into weeks, and slowly but surely, the trio began to shape their vision into reality. Their first seminar was marked on the calendar, and the excitement in the shop became palpable. They started receiving inquiries about the classes, and new faces showed up at the sequential orientations they held.
The first week was a success. They attracted a diverse crowd—young adults looking for a new hobby, middle-aged couples wanting to learn about self-defense, and even a few retirees with a lifetime interest in firearms. Rally proved herself a natural in leading the sessions, while May's infectious enthusiasm encouraged interaction. Becky took charge of safety protocol, covering every necessary aspect of their responsibilities.
“What do you think?” May asked during a break, looking at the room filled with eager faces. “I think it’s going really well!”
“I agree,” Rally replied, a rare smile forming on her lips. “I might have been hesitant at first, but this feels right. We’re really making a difference.”
“See?” Becky said, her heart swelling with pride. “We’re combining our passions, and it’s paying off!”
A few weeks later, they held a full-fledged event, inviting everyone they could reach. Chicago burst into summer, and the park was so lively with the sounds of laughter and the sporadic crackle of gunshots emanating from a safe distance that it made all their hard work feel justified.
That day, as they demonstrated safety protocols and encouraged newcomers to step up to the line, Becky knew they had stumbled onto something much larger than themselves—a community built around the respect for firearms and a shared passion for marksmanship. The Gunsmith Cats weren't merely a small gun shop anymore; they had blossomed into a hub of learning, excitement, and camaraderie.
All because Becky had dared to ask if they could expand. In that spark of curiosity, she had ignited a new chapter for the Gunsmith Cats, and it was just the beginning.
