diff --git a/audience_manager.gd b/audience_manager.gd
index c42a00b..75f6bac 100644
--- a/audience_manager.gd
+++ b/audience_manager.gd
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ var currently_animated_collector = null
 var current_ask: int
 var latest_bidder: ArtCollector
 
+var acceptable_raise = 0
+
 func _ready() -> void:
 	desk.numpad.ask_proposed.connect(_handle_ask_proposed)
 	timer.timeout.connect(_handle_bid_delay_timeout)
@@ -35,7 +37,6 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	desk.gavel.gavel_hit.connect(try_clear_currently_animated_collector)
 
 func raise_paddle():
-	#need to add in logic to animate paddle being raised
 	game_manager.state = game_manager.bidding_state.BID
 	print("Audience accepts the bid at $" + str(current_ask))
 	game_manager.current_bid = desk.numpad.proposed_ask
@@ -65,7 +66,9 @@ func _handle_auctioneer_bark():
 		bark_critical = true
 		timer.stop()
 		timer.timeout.emit()
-	pass
+	else:
+		acceptable_raise += randi_range(100, 1000)
+
 
 func _handle_bid_delay_timeout():
 	if game_manager.state == game_manager.bidding_state.ASKING:
@@ -76,8 +79,16 @@ func _handle_bid_delay_timeout():
 func _handle_ask_proposed(amount):
 	current_ask = amount
 
-	if randf() <= think_chance:
-		timer.stop()
-		var ask_duration: float = randf_range(min_audience_think_time, max_audience_think_time)
-		timer.wait_time = ask_duration
-		timer.start()
+	if acceptable_raise == 0:
+		acceptable_raise = randf_range(0.1, 0.2) * current_ask
+
+	if game_manager.current_bid == 0:
+		if randf() < think_chance: _start_bid_timer()
+	elif current_ask - game_manager.current_bid <= acceptable_raise:
+		_start_bid_timer()
+
+func _start_bid_timer():
+	timer.stop()
+	var ask_duration: float = randf_range(min_audience_think_time, max_audience_think_time)
+	timer.wait_time = ask_duration
+	timer.start()
diff --git a/desk.tscn b/desk.tscn
index d7ceb35..c85e4a3 100644
--- a/desk.tscn
+++ b/desk.tscn
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-[gd_scene load_steps=60 format=3 uid="uid://bohp0o2smdkwe"]
+[gd_scene load_steps=62 format=3 uid="uid://bohp0o2smdkwe"]
 
 [ext_resource type="Script" uid="uid://c2mrlu8d75ry4" path="res://gavel.gd" id="1_ep8l3"]
 [ext_resource type="Script" uid="uid://d2ophrxm0wtr6" path="res://desk.gd" id="1_yugeg"]
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://b5ijw66s6ibkb" path="res://assets/numpad/backspace-depressed.png" id="26_e06cl"]
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://cgdy173ukgmo1" path="res://assets/gavel/gavel-hit-frame_22.png" id="26_kpd5h"]
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://mm2l5d1s3rah" path="res://assets/gavel/gavel-hit-frame_23.png" id="27_6p2km"]
+[ext_resource type="FontFile" uid="uid://cm28kqtqj3a6n" path="res://assets/amiga4ever pro.ttf" id="27_k4eer"]
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://bwhf5712gd67h" path="res://assets/numpad/ask.png" id="27_unpof"]
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://cxwxmqnnbyl3s" path="res://assets/numpad/ask-depressed.png" id="28_4l1rv"]
 [ext_resource type="AudioStream" uid="uid://bvto7ghmy8j0o" path="res://assets/gavel/audio/invalid-bet.wav" id="31_v5y5a"]
@@ -146,6 +147,10 @@ animations = [{
 "speed": 15.0
 }]
 
+[sub_resource type="Theme" id="Theme_857t2"]
+default_font = ExtResource("27_k4eer")
+default_font_size = 12
+
 [sub_resource type="StyleBoxFlat" id="StyleBoxFlat_8sdgr"]
 bg_color = Color(0.5109665, 0, 0.077832855, 1)
 
@@ -191,11 +196,23 @@ progress_bar = NodePath("../ProgressBar")
 reminder_timer = NodePath("ReminderTimer")
 error_audio_player = NodePath("ErrorSoundPlayer")
 success_audio_player = NodePath("SuccessSoundPlayer")
+base_timer_duration = 10.0
+timer_reduction_step = 0.4
 
 [node name="Sprite2D" type="Sprite2D" parent="Numpad"]
 texture_filter = 1
 texture = ExtResource("5_r8wvv")
 
+[node name="NumpadDisplay" type="RichTextLabel" parent="Numpad"]
+unique_name_in_owner = true
+offset_left = -160.0
+offset_top = -136.0
+offset_right = 156.0
+offset_bottom = -113.0
+theme = SubResource("Theme_857t2")
+horizontal_alignment = 1
+vertical_alignment = 1
+
 [node name="0" parent="Numpad" instance=ExtResource("3_se7ci")]
 offset_left = -53.0
 offset_top = 60.0
diff --git a/game_manager.gd b/game_manager.gd
index e6a7cc7..08a077f 100644
--- a/game_manager.gd
+++ b/game_manager.gd
@@ -19,24 +19,28 @@ var current_painting_idx := 0
 var current_bid := 0:
 	set(value):
 		if is_instance_valid(going_price_label):
-			going_price_label.display_caption("Bid: $%sk" % [floor(value / 1000.0)])
+			going_price_label.text = "Bid: $%sk" % [int(floor(value / 1000.0))]
+		current_bid = value
 var starting_price := 0:
 	set(value):
 		if is_instance_valid(starting_price_label):
-			if value == 0:
-				starting_price_label.display_caption("Starting Price: ")
+			if value == 0 or state == bidding_state.CLOSED:
+				starting_price_label.text = "Starting Price: Pending"
 			else:
-				starting_price_label.display_caption("Starting Price: $%sk" % [floor(value / 1000.0)])
+				starting_price_label.text = "Starting Price: $%sk" % [int(floor(value / 1000.0))]
+		starting_price = value
 var final_bid := 0:
 	set(value):
 		if is_instance_valid(going_price_label):
-			going_price_label.display_caption("Sold for $%sk!" % [floor(value / 1000.0)])
-@export var current_bid_display: RichTextLabel
+			going_price_label.text = "Sold for $%sk!" % [int(floor(value / 1000.0))]
+		final_bid = value
 
 var target_sales := 0:
 	set(value):
 		if is_instance_valid(quota_label):
-			quota_label.display_caption("Quota: $%sk Progress: 0%%" % [floor(value / 1000.0)])
+			quota_label.text = "Quota: $%sk Progress: 0%%" % [int(floor(value / 1000.0))]
+		target_sales = value
+
 #var total_sales: int = 0
 @export var sales_magnitude := 100000
 @export var single_painting_magnitude := 1000
@@ -46,9 +50,9 @@ var target_sales := 0:
 var bidding_open := false
 var state := bidding_state.CLOSED
 
-@export var quota_label: CaptionLabel
-@export var starting_price_label: CaptionLabel
-@export var going_price_label: CaptionLabel
+@export var quota_label: Label
+@export var starting_price_label: Label
+@export var going_price_label: Label
 
 func _ready() -> void:
 	audience_manager.ask_accepted.connect(_handle_ask_accepted)
@@ -83,8 +87,7 @@ func _handle_gavel_hit():
 	match state:
 		bidding_state.CLOSED:
 			state = bidding_state.READY
-			#starting_price_label.display_caption("Starting price: $%s" % [starting_price])
-			#current_bid_display.set_text("Starting price: $%s" % [starting_price])
+			starting_price = starting_price
 		bidding_state.ASKING:
 			if current_bid != 0:
 				sell_painting()
@@ -110,13 +113,8 @@ func sell_painting():
 	cancel_bidding()
 	move_painting_to_bidders_pile()
 	paintings[current_painting_idx].sold_for = current_bid
-	#current_bid_display.set_text("Sold for $%s!" % [current_bid])
-	var total_sold = 0
-	for painting in paintings:
-		total_sold += painting.sold_for
 	turn_manager.speak_sentence("Sold for $%s!" % [current_bid])
-	@warning_ignore("integer_division")
-	quota_label.display_caption("Quota: $%sk Progress: %s%%" % [floor(target_sales / 1000.0), floor((total_sold / target_sales) * 100.0)])
+	quota_label.text = "Quota: $%sk Progress: %s%%" % [floor(target_sales / 1000.0), floor((float(get_total_sales()) / float(target_sales) * 100.0))]
 	print("Congrats on selling your painting for $%s! You have made $%s so far." % [current_bid, get_total_sales()])
 
 
@@ -134,7 +132,6 @@ func next_painting() -> bool:
 	var info := paintings[current_painting_idx]
 	starting_price = info.value
 	current_bid = 0
-	#going_price_label.display_caption("Current bid: $%s" % [current_bid])
 	$NextPainting.play()
 	get_painting_display().animate_show_painting()
 	return true
@@ -142,7 +139,6 @@ func next_painting() -> bool:
 
 func _handle_ask_accepted():
 	pass
-	#current_bid_display.set_text("Current bid: $" + str(current_bid))
 
 
 func end_auction():
diff --git a/main.tscn b/main.tscn
index 4e9cb8e..7ef6f74 100644
--- a/main.tscn
+++ b/main.tscn
@@ -66,13 +66,12 @@ position = Vector2(1074, 162)
 unique_name_in_owner = true
 position = Vector2(1075, 162)
 
-[node name="GameManager" type="Node2D" parent="." node_paths=PackedStringArray("audience_manager", "desk", "turn_manager", "current_bid_display", "quota_label", "starting_price_label", "going_price_label")]
+[node name="GameManager" type="Node2D" parent="." node_paths=PackedStringArray("audience_manager", "desk", "turn_manager", "quota_label", "starting_price_label", "going_price_label")]
 unique_name_in_owner = true
 script = ExtResource("1_ig7tw")
 audience_manager = NodePath("../AudienceManager")
 desk = NodePath("../Desk")
 turn_manager = NodePath("../TurnManager")
-current_bid_display = NodePath("../UI/RichTextLabel")
 quota_label = NodePath("../UI/Quota")
 starting_price_label = NodePath("../UI/StartingPrice")
 going_price_label = NodePath("../UI/GoingPrice")
@@ -98,6 +97,7 @@ layout_mode = 3
 anchors_preset = 0
 
 [node name="RichTextLabel" type="RichTextLabel" parent="UI"]
+visible = false
 layout_mode = 0
 offset_left = 480.0
 offset_top = 434.0
@@ -129,7 +129,6 @@ text = "Quota: 500k  Progress: 50%"
 label_settings = SubResource("LabelSettings_ryguw")
 horizontal_alignment = 1
 vertical_alignment = 1
-script = ExtResource("10_ryguw")
 
 [node name="StartingPrice" type="Label" parent="UI"]
 layout_mode = 0
@@ -141,7 +140,6 @@ text = "Starting Price: 25k"
 label_settings = SubResource("LabelSettings_ryguw")
 horizontal_alignment = 1
 vertical_alignment = 1
-script = ExtResource("10_ryguw")
 
 [node name="GoingPrice" type="Label" parent="UI"]
 layout_mode = 0
@@ -153,7 +151,6 @@ text = "Asking: 50k"
 label_settings = SubResource("LabelSettings_ryguw")
 horizontal_alignment = 1
 vertical_alignment = 1
-script = ExtResource("10_ryguw")
 
 [node name="AudienceManager" parent="." node_paths=PackedStringArray("desk", "game_manager") instance=ExtResource("6_272bh")]
 desk = NodePath("../Desk")
diff --git a/numpad.gd b/numpad.gd
index 5d0478f..528bc60 100644
--- a/numpad.gd
+++ b/numpad.gd
@@ -1,10 +1,15 @@
 class_name Numpad extends Node2D
 
-var numpad_buffer = Array()
+var numpad_buffer: String = "":
+	set(value):
+		if value.is_empty():
+			%NumpadDisplay.text = "Enter a value"
+		else:
+			%NumpadDisplay.text = "%sk" % [value]
+		numpad_buffer = value
 var proposed_ask: int
 signal ask_proposed(amount)
 
-#var turn_manager: TurnManager
 var audience_manager: AudienceManager
 var game_manager: GameManager
 var turn_manager: TurnManager
@@ -14,6 +19,11 @@ var turn_manager: TurnManager
 @export var error_audio_player: AudioStreamPlayer2D
 @export var success_audio_player: AudioStreamPlayer2D
 
+@export var base_timer_duration = 7.0
+var timer_duration = base_timer_duration
+
+@export var timer_reduction_step = 0.3
+
 func _ready() -> void:
 	progress_bar.max_value = reminder_timer.wait_time
 
@@ -23,14 +33,14 @@ func _process(_delta: float) -> void:
 
 # number entry function called by numbered button children
 func keypad_entry(entry: int):
-	numpad_buffer.append(str(entry))
+	numpad_buffer += str(entry)
 
 func keypad_backspace():
-	if numpad_buffer.size() > 0:
-		numpad_buffer.remove_at(-1)
+	if not numpad_buffer.is_empty():
+		numpad_buffer = numpad_buffer.erase(numpad_buffer.length() - 1)
 
 func keypad_submit():
-	var keypad_output: String = "".join(numpad_buffer)
+	var keypad_output: String = numpad_buffer
 	proposed_ask = int(keypad_output) * 1000
 
 	if proposed_ask == 0: return
@@ -42,7 +52,9 @@ func keypad_submit():
 				success_audio_player.play()
 				ask_proposed.emit(proposed_ask)
 				print("starting the bidding at $" + str(proposed_ask))
-				reminder_timer.start(-1)
+
+				reset_timer()
+				start_timer()
 			else:
 				error_audio_player.play()
 		game_manager.bidding_state.ASKING:
@@ -50,7 +62,8 @@ func keypad_submit():
 				success_audio_player.play()
 				ask_proposed.emit(proposed_ask)
 				print("asking for $" + str(proposed_ask))
-				reminder_timer.start(-1)
+
+				start_timer()
 			else:
 				error_audio_player.play()
 		game_manager.bidding_state.BID:
@@ -59,7 +72,8 @@ func keypad_submit():
 				success_audio_player.play()
 				ask_proposed.emit(proposed_ask)
 				print("asking for $" + str(proposed_ask))
-				reminder_timer.start(-1)
+
+				start_timer()
 			else:
 				error_audio_player.play()
 		_:
@@ -67,4 +81,14 @@ func keypad_submit():
 
 	# need to avoid starting the reminder timer before
 	# the auction starts
-	numpad_buffer.clear()
+	numpad_buffer = ""
+
+func reset_timer():
+	timer_duration = base_timer_duration
+
+func start_timer():
+	reminder_timer.stop()
+	progress_bar.max_value = timer_duration
+	reminder_timer.start(timer_duration)
+
+	timer_duration -= timer_reduction_step