Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Mar 19, 2012 18:57:48 GMT -5
Costigan nods in acknowledgment. "Ayep. That's a fact. Never saw a well-run mine with unhappy miners, and never saw a mine with unhappy miners where they weren't cutting corners somewhere. Mah impression of this here operation is that they're doin' well enough to keep operating without playing games with safety regs or product quality, but not well enough to invest in more modern equipment."
Donal's driving seems a bit less distracted going up the ramps, though he still hits the brakes too hard. Perhaps he's just a lousy driver. He takes a right turn at the top of the pit, away from the HQ building and toward the processing plant. He dodges an oncoming giant dump truck that's heading back to the pit for another load.
Victoria was offering him a permanent job? Well, that was quite a development. Should he considered it? He valued his independence as a one-man engineering consultancy, and as much as she distracted him, perhaps not... on the other hand, K-Tech was a big company. He probably wouldn't see her but once in a blue moon when she inspected whatever project he was assigned to, and then as part of a group of people in a conference room. Donal had always heard they were a good company to work for, with excellent benefits. On the third hand.... he found Victoria fascinating. He wanted to work for her.
He swallowed hard as he braked the jeep at the processing plant front lot. Before getting out, he said, "What kind of mining operation? Would it be a field position?" Costigan liked to work hands-on; sitting behind an desk and running other people's reports through a computer all day was for those other people, not him.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 19, 2012 22:32:18 GMT -5
Victoria bears up under the jerky stops and turns rather well. Once they arrive at the plant, however she cannot resist saying, "Driving lessons would be a requirement for your acceptance to the position."
"It will be a very hands on position, and the non-disclosure agreements exceptionally strict. The material is rather volatile, and of high value in certain circles," she says.
"It would be quite the dangerous post." She fixes that even stare on him again, "And in the beginning, I would be on site often, if that makes a difference in your considerations."
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Mar 21, 2012 18:13:28 GMT -5
Costigan gives her a reproachful look. "Ah have a driver's license already."
He steps out and once again comes around to hold the door for Victoria. "Wouldn't be the first time. Government's real touchy about uranium reserves, and gold mine owners--well, let's just say that have a lot to be paranoid about."
"Dangerous?" One dark eyebrow arches above his sunglasses. "More so than your average mine or quarry?" Mining is not a profession known for its safety record.
"I see." He sounds thoughtful, though the shades hide most of Costigan's expression. "Would I still be able to keep my consultancy active?"
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 22, 2012 20:01:02 GMT -5
As she turns her body to exit the vehicle, she fixes Costigan with a cool stare. "It is possible to be able to cook for oneself without sending one to the emergency room, but that does not mean one is proficient in food preparation techniques. Possession of a driver's license does not mean one can drive well. There will be driving lessons for you including practice with multiple vehicle types if you come under my employ."
She steps out of the vehicle and starts toward the plant. "Yes, potentially much more dangerous. The material represents a highly unstable potential energy source that is prone to explosion if handle incorrectly."
"You may certainly maintain your personal business, but in the early stages, I would request that you give priority to our endeavor."
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Mar 26, 2012 18:52:46 GMT -5
"Yes... ma'am," Costigan replies, tight-lipped. He gently closes the passenger-side door behind Victoria.
"Interestin'. Safety protocols already been worked out, or that something we're going to have to do ourselves?" Donal asks, his voice quickened with interest. He walks beside Victoria, though manages to get just a step ahead in order to hold the door for her.
"That's understood from the get-go," he says. "Just wanted to make sure there were no onerous non-compete clauses or such-like. Ah don't want to lose my reputation as a trustworthy independent consultant." Yes, Donal Costigan takes his reputation for integrity seriously--rather like a certain hell-worm took his reputation for loyalty.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 26, 2012 20:25:28 GMT -5
"Oh, there are non-compete clauses, but they will be drafted with your independent firm in mind. You are not the first or only consultant I have employed long-term."
Victoria steps through the door and takes in what she can see of the operation.
"Hrm."
She does not seem particularly impressed.
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Mar 28, 2012 13:59:29 GMT -5
Costigan follows Victoria's look around. "Like Ah said, they need to modernize--but they're getting pretty good yields out of what they have. Labor relations, on the other hand, aren't quite my area. You may have to do some work there. Wouldn't be surprised of the rumors of the possible buy-out have people all skittery, not knowing who's going to be kept on and who gets laid off. People just don't work their best with that kind of worryin'."
He guides Victoria around the plant floor to the plant offices, keeping a close eye when they climb the steep metal stairs so he can catch Victoria if she stumbles.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 28, 2012 22:30:46 GMT -5
As they pass a group of workers, Victoria says, "It is not my intention to displace anyone who provides honest work. Every employee will be examined on their own merits. I do not expect much turnover."
Victoria does not stumble, handling the stairs with grace. Once she reaches the landing, she steps aside. After all, Costigan probably wants to open the door for her again.
"I do appreciate your evaluations, Mr. Costigan."
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Apr 2, 2012 7:06:12 GMT -5
Costigan nods. "Fair enough."
Of course he holds the door for her. Though Donal is not ready to admit it to himself, it's gone beyond mere courtesy for him; Victoria is a most compelling woman, and deserving of his very best.
"Thank you, ma'am. Ah always try to do my best at a job," he says. "Speaking of which, Ah would like to put in for the one you've described. It sounds right interesting."
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Post by Victoria Raines on Apr 2, 2012 19:40:06 GMT -5
The tour continues on in typical dry fashion. Back in the office, Victoria organizes her notes on her tablet.
"I greatly appreciate your input, Mr. Costigan. I feel I can better make an informed decision about our involvement with this operation."
"Have you any final recommendations?"
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Apr 4, 2012 15:50:41 GMT -5
Costigan bends down to brush some of the dust off his pants before replying. "As regards the mine, no. Ah think we've about covered everything."
He straightens up and glances out the window toward the northwest and the nearest town in eighty miles. "Ah'm guessing you're probably staying at the Best Western in town, seeing as that's the only decent hotel this side of Bakersfield. The diner next door ain't that good; Ah know a right good Mexican restaurant on the edge of town. Family-owned place, next best thing to home-cooked. Would you care to join me there for dinner, ma'am?"
It's a compulsion; he can't not try to spend more time with her and make Victoria's trip as comfortable as possible.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Apr 4, 2012 22:15:04 GMT -5
Victoria sits down and pulls her heels out of her purse. As she removes her work boots and changes, she looks up at Costigan.
"I wish to return to my hotel and freshen up before I partake of any meal." Really, Victoria wasn't planning on eating anything at all.
"However, if you wish to further discuss your future with my company, I would be willing to meet you at your preferred establishment," she says. After all, what other reason would he have for the invitation?
OOC: a skip to dinner is fine w/ me.
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Apr 9, 2012 18:46:10 GMT -5
Donal nods. "Certainly, ma'am. Ah'll be doing that myself." Because the alternative of going to dinner covered with dust and sweat is just... not romantic. Or professional.
He looks almost puzzled for a moment, then recovers. This is Victoria Raines, not some cute thing he just met at a bar 'n' grill. Keep it cool, keep it professional. "Ah certainly would like to have that discussion. Would you like me to meet you out front of your hotel and show your driver the way there?"
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Post by Victoria Raines on Apr 10, 2012 12:23:26 GMT -5
Victoria shrugs one shoulder at Costigan's question. "As you like."
She stands up and adjusts her bag on her shoulder. "I shall bring the signing paperwork with me." Yes, she is that confident.
Victoria's lips quirk as she looks down at the engineer. "This is not a date, Mr. Costigan. I feel the need to remind you of that."
Skip to the dinner on your post, please?
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Apr 11, 2012 19:55:12 GMT -5
"Of course not, ma'am. Just some negotiating over as fine a chicken molé as Ah've run across anywhere. The Baja tacos aren't bad either." He escorts Victoria to her car, if she allows; it would be rude to just walk off and leave her there in the dusty lot.
Later that evening, Donal Costigan's jeep leads the way to Maria Elena's Family Restaurant*. It's an unprepossessing place, looking rather battered and run-down on the outside, with a tin roof. The sign advertising the restaurant is freshly-painted and well-lit, however.
Beyond the front door, it's another world. A cool spray drifts from the two tier fountain centered in the spacious courtyard, which is liberally planted with small banana trees, hibiscus, and other tropical plants. A cheerful Hispanic lady acts as maitre'd and welcomes Donal and Victoria.
--- *The real Maria Elena's is actually in Alviso, CA, a hamlet just north of San Jose, right on the Bay. Awesome Baja tacos. If you're in San Jose and like Mexican food, try it out. The interior description is borrowed from another fine restaurant called "Las Palomas", long ago and far away.
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