On the day copper surged, Jim woke with anxiety. He was an electrician running a small firm. Their work depended on copper prices. He got a message: ‘From tomorrow, copper wire price up 22%.’ He swore under his breath. Later, at the elite housing site, he reviewed the contract. Fixed price, no room for increase. If he buys — he loses money. If he cancels — he loses the client. He called the contractor. ‘A deal is a deal,’ came the reply. That night, he stared at a coil of wire. No longer just copper — now an investment. Weeks later, China pulled back. Then Canada delayed. His supplier demanded prepayment. By fall, Jim read market reports better than circuit diagrams. Copper dictated everything. He finished the job. No profit. But he learned — wire is now global politics.