quarante-cinq ° dictated

[signedlefthanded]

With my sister back, I've been doing some thinking. I own a repair shop of sorts, I build and invent things, too. I think I should hire on a new person, maybe two. Pay isn't the best, but it's something for your own.

I was thinking of an assistant, someone with some mechanical skill might be nice. But if you're interested in it, I wouldn't mind an apprentice to start. Someone to keep the desk, maybe clean up a bit?

[She wants to get her priorities straight. Make sure there's someone around so she can take Sunny out. She also missed out on an expedition as well.]

I'm also looking for a carpenter. I want to make my kitchen bigger. I can do all the work for setting up the appliances, but I need to take out a wall and maybe put up more cabinets?

I'm not sure.

Comments

[truestsciences]

wwhats the point in havvin a job or hirin people if you can just wwish up evverything you need

[signedlefthanded]

I don't live in the Castle and not everyone wants to wish things up.

[truestsciences]

guess not
but your potential employees might prefer it
youre not givven em any sort a real incentivve

[signedlefthanded]

Like I said, not everyone wants to wish things up. People in town only take money.

[truestsciences]

you knoww you can filter things wwith this right
so only people wwho livve in the towwn can see it an your calls for help wwont get bogged dowwn wwith your requests they dont wwant to see

[signedlefthanded]

I know all about the journals. I also know that there are some people who still live in the castle that could probably still use a job or even something to do. Learning a new trade can even be incentive enough.

[truestsciences]

repairin things isnt really a trade its just fixin wwhat other people make and wwhat other other people fuck up
i suppose invventin counts but its not like theres a shortage a people thinkin they can make an do wwhatevver they wwant wwith no idea if wwhether their piece a shit can actually do wwhat its supposed to
howw are you gonna get all the parts if youre not goin to wwish em up anywways
i doubt youre a master a fabrication

[signedlefthanded]

Actually building things is a trade. I mostly deal with engineering, but I've done a lot of welding as well.

There's a lot of scrap around here. You'd be surprised.

[truestsciences]

i look forward to your pathetic attempts at precision engineerin

[signedlefthanded]

I've been here two years and have worked on many projects. Some are used by scientists here, and there's many pieces of equipment that I've built in the clinic. None of them have ever failed. So if you are done here, I have more important matters to attend then your cynicism. [A phrase here which means "get the fuck out, asshole" only Violet's parents had always taught her to be polite. He won't be getting a reply back.]

[truestsciences]

maybe after twwo years you shoulda bothered learnin howw to build rooms too [A petty jab, but Eridan can't stand not having the last word.]

[sword_redemption]

[Relevant to his interests, after talking with Blues.....]

Repair shop? What kinds of things can you repair?

[signedlefthanded]

It depends. I've mostly built some medical and cooking equipment. I'm an amateur inventor back home, I suppose I'm more of an engineer here.

[sword_redemption]

Would you be able to repair, say, a robot?

[OH NO REASON.]

[signedlefthanded]

Robot? I've never worked with one before. I guess it would depend what's wrong.

[sword_redemption]

Nothing right now. But, well, maybe you could take a look?

[signedlefthanded]

I can certainly try.

[sword_redemption]

I'd appreciate it.

Is there anything I could do to, you know, repay you?

[signedlefthanded]

If I can think of it, sure. Do you have any or know where I can get spare parts or spare metal?

[samson]

I don't know if I'd call myself a carpenter, but I can probably do that for you. You live in town?

[signedlefthanded]

I do, yes.

[samson]

[Makes sense. People usually just wish for castle redecorations.]

How big a place you got? I don't know if we'd need to get, like, a building permit from the city. They might not care.

[signedlefthanded]

The second floor is smaller than the first, where the shop is.

[samson]

So you want the top floor expanded? That's a little harder, but doable.

[signedlefthanded]

No. Just the wall needs to come down. I'm not really using the middle room. Maybe have an island in the middle.

[samson]

Oh, well yeah, then that's a heck of a lot easier. I could do that for you if you want.

[signedlefthanded]

Great. I could pay you or build you something, since that's probably more tangible.

[samson]

What kind of stuff do you build?

[signedlefthanded]

Mostly mechanical or electrical things. Depends what what you need. I can weld, too.

[samson]

[That is an impressive resume for somebody who sounds like a teenager. He doesn't comment, though.]

You ever do anything with security systems?

[signedlefthanded]

I haven't, but if you give me a few weeks to look up some manuals in the library and write up some schematics, I bet you I could do it.

[Challenges, she likes them.]

[samson]

Yeah? That'd be great. Lemme know when you want me to get started on your place.

[signedlefthanded]

Any time that's good for you.

[samson]

I got some stuff to take care of, but I'll get goin' on it as soon as I can.

If you need to get in touch with me or anything, I'm Brock.

[signedlefthanded]

Works for me. I'm Violet, Violet Baudelaire.

[samson]

Nice to meet you. If you need anything else, let me know.

[theabjectauthor]

[there's the sound of Lemony unpacking his trunk, as he dictates:] Hello, Violet... I would be glad to assist you with anything, should you need it, in the interim.

[signedlefthanded]

I'm not sure what I'll need, but thank you, Lemony. I'm sure you'll be invited to many dinners made by Sunny, once it's built.

[theabjectauthor]

That would be my dearest wish, Violet. ... Thank you. [he'd been a little worried that she wouldn't want him near her sister, because - well, how do you explain something like his story to an infant, even one as talented and quick-witted as Sunny?]

[signedlefthanded]

Of course, Lemony. You're as good as family now. Well if you wouldn't mind looking after Sunny, too.

[theabjectauthor]

[and just like that, the freshest of his worries is assuaged. well, he thinks, that was uncommonly easy. not only that, but - but ....

"as good as family".

the words tear his heart open at the tender, fragile seams he'd managed to use to patch it back together. but it's alright. he feels he'll have much better thread for the job, now. there's silence for a long moment, and then he realizes that Violet might mistake his attempt to curb his emotions for reticence, a word which, in this case, means "Lemony Snicket is not saying anything because he does not want to care for two Baudelaire children, which is Very Much Not True". his voice is thick as he responds]

I would be honored.

[signedlefthanded]

[The silence is alarming, and she's just about to tell him he doesn't have to when he speaks up. She laughs a little.]

I'm glad.

[theabjectauthor]

So am I.

... I'm sorry, Violet ... It's simply that ...

[he pauses. he doesn't even know what to say. and then he realizes, she is a volunteer. he knows exactly what to say.]

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

[signedlefthanded]

Excuse me? [There's a half laugh again.]

It's okay, Lemony. We have to stick together. Even here.

[theabjectauthor]

[he's a little embarrassed, but.] It is what you say when you don't know what to say, after all.

... Thank you, Violet. I ... I can't even begin to express how much this means to me. All of it. Though, I think, perhaps, I shall have to try.

[signedlefthanded]

It's me who should be thankful to you. I'm lucky to have a reliable volunteer look after my family and I.

[theabjectauthor]

That ... should never be a matter of luck, Violet. You should have had one from the beginning. ... You should never have even needed one in the first place.

[signedlefthanded]

[She pauses for awhile.]

It's all we've known since our parents have died.