The operator leaned closer to the display.
"No. Just checking the figures."
He entered the vehicle information again and waited for the second reading.
The number appeared.
He compared it with the truck's tare weight, checked the calculation, and reached for the printed ticket.
Behind Emily, the conversation among the waiting farmers had gradually faded.
The operator handed her the ticket.
Emily looked down.
The final load was heavier than she had expected.
She checked the net weight, then compared it with the preliminary figures in her notebook.
The number was correct.
She looked at the operator.
"Could you confirm that calculation?"
He nodded and showed her the recorded readings.
She checked them carefully, following the arithmetic with her finger.
Everything matched.
Then she looked at the accumulated delivery weights from the entire harvest.
For several seconds, she simply stared at the figures.
The total was substantially better than the conservative yield estimate she had used when preparing her financial projections.
The scale operator glanced toward the office door.
"Looks like you've had quite a harvest, Miss Walker."
Emily did not immediately answer.
She was still checking the numbers.
Then Ed Larson stepped closer.
"Well? How'd you do?"
Emily looked up.
"We're still waiting on the final settlement."
Ed smiled.
"Come on, Emily. You've got the weight. Surely you know whether it was worth all that trouble."
She held the ticket in her hand.
"The final weight is better than my conservative estimate."
Harold leaned toward the window.
"How much better?"
Emily turned toward him.
"Enough that I want to make sure every load has been accounted for before I say anything."
Ed laughed nervously.
"Still being careful?"
"Especially now."
The elevator operator returned to his computer and began reconciling the final delivery records.
The office grew quiet.
Outside, the truck driver shut off the engine.
The only sounds were the distant machinery, the occasional clatter of a grain wagon, and the soft clicking of the operator's keyboard.
Then he printed a preliminary settlement summary.
He studied the document, checked the contract number, and placed it on the counter.
Emily examined the figures.
The total weight was confirmed.
The preliminary quality results were favorable.
The oil-content premiums from the tested deliveries had been applied according to the contract terms, subject to the final settlement.
She traced the figures down the page, checking each deduction.
Transportation.
Handling.
Testing.
Other applicable charges.