Chapter 29, Hiring fair_The Original

Hiring Fair

The Enhanced Student Educational Academies, or ESEA system was created due to several accidents in the sixties and seventies when younger persons expressed as Enhanced. In spite of fears of these being a first step in a containment plan on all enhanced, they were some one of the better run government programs for young people.

This was fortunate, as families who needed their help were predominantly families that would have needed other help. Often, the imbalances in the students’ lives caused the emotional control issues that caused powers to flare. The academies have a nearly ninety-seven percent success rate, with only the worst cases needing long term housing in specialized facilities. This is despite how often families effectively abandoned their student to the system permanently.

Unfortunately, due to the distance the academies were built from large communities, being rural for security and safety, this led to our students being unfamiliar with large groups of peers and anxious in large social groups. Far from a major difficulty to overcome, it does cause the students to have challenges finding employment right out of school. That is why we are scheduling this Job Fair.

Headmistress Lillian Bradley, Director of the California ESEA facility.

Getting back to the hotel Penny called the dean of the school in the area, leaving the room for a short conversation before coming back. "Do we want to go there, or they come here. I'm getting a certain ‘She wants to hire students? I got lots of students!’ Vibe going here."

"We can go to them, it seems more polite, and I would like to see the school. I am curious about it. You said that these will be high school graduates or college graduates?"

"All of them will be high school grads, and many will have completed some sort of college or trade school. I mentioned a cook or chef and it seems they have a girl who has finished culinary school, but has an issue with crowds, which he said was ironic?"

“I am glad to know they aren’t going to try to saddle us with unskilled youngsters.”

"No. The academies tend to be split between the pre-high school groups and the high school through college crowd. This is a teen school, which includes up to about 22 to 24 students. After finishing school they kind of have to move on.”

“That makes sense, eventually even if it is hard, you must leave the nest. When is the dean wanting to meet with us?”

"He said tomorrow would be great. he gave me the directions so I'm going to get a rental car. It's just a bit out of town, in the grand scheme of things."

The next morning the three of them, Granny a bit hung over but snickering about blackjack dealers, piled into a mini-van and drove out of the city. Solaris looked out into the desert she’d expected to be here when they landed as they drove to the west.

The location wasn't in any incorporated area, and took about an hour to drive to, but when they did arrive it looked a lot like coming up on a ranch, though no animals were in sight. It looked from the road like a large main house and several barns, though as they got closer it became obvious the barns were more than they seemed.

The gate had a fairly advanced speaker box, camera and a very heavy gate between them and the interior. "Well, this is pretty secure, though It fits the landscape well." Solaris said as Penny opened the window.

"Hello, Elizabeth Summers to see the Dean." she said into the speaker.

"They did put this a ways away from civilization didn't they." the blonde added

"Rather intentionally." Penny admitted.

"She's right about that." A young man’s voice said, as he shimmered into view near the car, holding a device of some form. "Sorry, we have to be careful. There's plenty who would love to kidnap a few powered kids for one reason or another."

Solaris nodded. "I do understand, I dealt with more than enough of that a couple, um, of times a while ago.” She corrected herself.

"You're clean, go ahead in." The gate opened. "Just pull up to the front of the house, I think the Dean is planning to give you a tour."

"Thank you."Solaris said as they pulled through the gate. "Well, this is already looking like an interesting place." she said thoughtfully.

"I've never been to one, but I know the staff is usually also mostly Enhanced, though usually retired or never active hero types." Penny said. "I also know they are almost all like this, rural and usually with an airstrip on site in case they need to move a kid quietly for some reason. The US has twenty of them, total."

The van pulled up to the front, and a man came out to greet them. He was handsome, with weathered skin distinct of a man who spent a lot of time out in the field. "It's not often we get visitors out here. Especially ones with such noted reputations." He offered his hand to shake.

Solaris shook his hand. "Ms. Ward told me about your school, and I am intrigued, and more than happy to help someone get their start. I hope you will have time to show me around."

"Absolutely. Please, come in." he led them into the house, which did appear to be a house. "I am sure that Lieutenant Ward has told you we have to be a bit covert." He said as he led them through the home, into a conventional dining room and kitchen, towards the back of the house.

"Yes, I can understand why.”

"I suppose you can. Less common these days, but just as ugly." he opened a closet door, to reveal an elevator, the door opening and him stepping in, "If you would."

Solaris stepped in, Penny and Granny following her. "I was surprised you could see us so quickly. I expected to wait a day or two since I came to Vegas a bit unexpectedly."

"I've been eager to meet you since she contacted me before you came out, though today just worked out well. The younger kids are on a couple of field trips. Rockhounding for some, nuclear museum for others though they got redirected to something else because of an unexpected closure. A burst pipe, I think they said."

He let the door open, and led them into a rather complete, and pleasantly decorated, underground facility leading them through. "The kids live in these pods, well, bunkers really. The younger kids share a room with a roommate, while teachers live in bedrooms attached to their group of rooms, kind of a dorm set up."

"They have a common area here, and each pod is set up the same. Through here is a garage, we use for teaching as well as for the busses. This is the older students, so they are putting together a Just Aircraft Highlander LSA as a project. We start the younger kids on small motors, then bikes, the next get to work on a hot rod to learn cars, and the next oldest group do a big project, a complete kit car, a kit aircraft, or a boat, though we always question wanting to do a boat in Nevada."

“I approve of a practical education. Theory is great but you don’t really know anything until you have boots on the ground and a bit of dirt or blood on your hands. Nursing.” Solaris added when he looked confused.

He nodded "Most of the kids are competent amateur mechanics by the time they leave. Just seems like a good way to teach them and good skills to have. We use the cars they build on a track in the back. Its how we teach them to drive."

“Though we tend to teach somewhat aggressive driving skills.”

“I won’t judge. We had a group of Japanese teen girls flying mini-airplanes around a golfcourse in my day.”

"That's why we let them do this. Two of the girls you knew helped found the governing organization that sets up and runs these schools. That's why we offer things like this to the kids, though one class in Colorado built a tank, not sure how they got that through."

“Tanks are fun.” Solaris said lighting up to hear that some of her girls had done well. “I have a small collection of my own, somewhere or other. Does your school have a specialty?”

"You mean what’s our focus? Aside from standard High School Diplomas, because we can spend so much time with individuals unlike other schools we offer the kids an additional educational track. By the time they graduate a lot of the kids are good with coding, mechanics obviously, and more than a few get their pilots license, private or light sport. Welders and art students galore, too."

"Then there's the college crew. This being Vegas we have a lot of kids get Hospitality related degrees. We bus those kids to the city so they can go to several college options in Las Vegas, even if they are still living here.”

"Then we have a few kids go for tech schools. We have a couple who are certified mechanics, and one idiot went and got a gaming management certificate. Three guesses who is a heightened intelligence with advanced math skills."

“Ahh brains, the bane of casinos.” She chuckled. “What I am looking for, or am curious about is a cook, a gardener and possibly a mechanic and pilot. Someone who might be able to wrangle so called ‘influencers’ for me too, though I don’t know what that job would be called. It may morph into a management and marketing job for my family estate.”

He blinked, then thought about it. "I actually do have one older student who just finished their BA in business admin focused on marketing. That would be Elenore Groves, and as for a chef I already knew about, Anzhela Morozov, we call her Anzy, with the Z."

"I don't have a Gardner, technically, but if you don't mind someone a bit unusual, something a little better."

“I am willing to listen, my whole life has been unusual.”

"She's originally from Mexico. Her powers expressed very young, plant manipulator. Her name is Mercedes Lopez. She also sometimes expresses plant-like traits. Oh, as an odd note, Anzy is also one of the better mechanics too, though only amateur. Our pro students are Erica Jackson or Levi Henderson. They both got certifications, ADE and such."

“I am willing to talk to them. Most positions will require a certain amount of travel, and my primary residence right now is in New York. I do tend to wander, though.”

“Well, let’s start with Anzy.” He said. "She'll likely be in the kitchen in the central pod, so come this way." He led them through a tunnel, to another pod, with a different layout. They heard music playing in the background, the girls voice singing along in a slavic language. "Ansy is an expat from Ukraine, technically Crimea, though she's been here since childhood and is fully naturalized as a citizen."

They walked into the room, and five pretty, dark haired girls were dancing along with the music, one stirring a pot, one chopping veggies, another working on a dough, with the last two carefully breaking down chickens which were presumably for dinner later in the day.

“Hello Anzy,” Solaris said in a gentle voice not wanting to startle the girls working with knives. He didn’t mention they had sisters, and she was curious about which she was hiring.

"Huh?" Two of the girls looked up, then said "Hello!" Causing the other three to look up. "Oh, Hello!" They then proceeded to start asking questions before realizing they were all talking at once. They stopped, stared at eachother, and with a "pop" they united into one person, holding the two knives from the chicken, which she set down before washing her hands. "Sorry, are you the woman who was wanting to hire a personal chef? The Dean mentioned you to me. And you look very familiar for some reason."

A duplicator, that did make more sense. “I am. You probably saw me in a history book. My name is Elizabeth Summers, but most people know me as Solaris. It’s a pleasure to meet you Anzy. That is a heck of an ability for a cook.”

"Oh, the Multi-me thing? Yeah, it's helpful. I at least we know we all remember the recipes. Well, maybe not four. She gets distracted. But I digress. Solaris? Yeah, I wrote a report on you in my junior year. Wow! And you need a Chef?"

"She has five people’s lungs; I think she did not breath through all of that." Grandma Ruan joked quietly.

“Yes I do, I cannot cook and I have been banned from my kitchen. Granny and takeout have kept us fed but I’d much rather have someone to do the job.”

"I won't judge. The Dean can't cook either."

"My skills are limited to ramen and coffee." he admitted

"I suppose you want to do an interview? Or would you like to taste something? both? Probably both."

“I would like to taste your food, and I do have some questions. Are you okay with relocating and traveling? I live in New York right now. And we are putting in a boat house for the chef we hire to occupy. Do you get seasick? And how do you see working as a private chef?”

With a series of pops, the girl split into five, with one of her running off. Another stepped around the counter "Actually, let's go sit in the dining room, and I'll cook while we talk." She suggested with a smile, gesturing towards the tables in the other room. "And no, I don't mind traveling, and I've kind of always wanted to go to New York City."

That is good. I also will be bouncing around, England, Switzerland, Paris, Japan.

"Oh, those all sound lovely!" She said. "Yeah, no, doesn't bother me at all. I'd love to travel, and you've listed like, several very Foody places, so complaining would be silly. As for seasickness, I grew up as a little girl on a fishing boat in Crimea. If the Black Sea couldn't make me sick, no body of water not rated as rapids can."

“I ask because we are going to cruise across the Atlantic at some point soon. And I would want you to go with me.” She was enjoying the girl’s bubbly personality. “You’ll be cooking for me and the rest of the on-site staff. Generally, it will be family style. I’ll let you know if I need to dine privately, I will also need snacks left in the fridge or counter. I only need a couple hours of sleep a night and I don’t expect anyone to keep my hours.”

"I'm certified in both cookery and as a patisserie, so that's not a problem." She said. she mused. "I'm willing to try it, assuming the pay is reasonable. I mean, I'm a chef, I am a little narcissistic."

"She literally once had two of her clones wear cheerleader outfits during an intermural tournament." The dean noted wryly.

“Oh, that is not an issue, like I said earlier one of the perks of the job is lodging at my boathouse and use of the house car. I also have health and retirement packets set up.”

“How many people are you expecting me to be feeding each day? And are we talking all three meals and snacks, breakfast dinner, and are any of them children?"

“No kids.” Solaris said simply. “Right now there are 5 people living onsite, though we may be adding others, probably a maximum of 10 regularly. Barring Chinese and movie night you’ll be responsible for all the meals unless one of the others decides to cook. You’ll also handle the shopping of course, and I don’t expect you to cook if everyone is out and about.”

Mrs. Ruan raised a hand. "I will help you with planning shops, as well."

"Out and about basically means just have something ready that can be whipped up quickly. Trust me, that's a lesson you learn in school." "However, speaking of something ready." Another her said, the other four coming out of the kitchen, settling trays in front of each of them, including herself. The extras vanished.

"What I have made for you here is my take on the classic Fish and Chips." She said, gesturing at the beautifully fried fish and battered fries, laying upon a sheet of newspaper like in a traditional chip shop. "The Fish is tilapia, which is nicely sustainable and actually local from a fish farm in the state. The fries are a battered fritte I keep par cooked and frozen on hand for when I want to make them. You'll also find a small dish of malted vinegar, freshly made tartar sauce, garlic aioli and of course ketchup as well as pea fritters, which I understand is popular in northern England with fish and chips."

"This is served with a pint of Papa's Red Ale, a local microbrew Ale which was also used to make the batter for the fish."

Solaris took a piece of fish and broke it enjoying the sound of the batter, she dipped a fry in the vinegar and used it to dribble the dressing on the fish. She took a bite, letting the flavors melt on her tongue. trying the tartar sauce next, she then took a fry and tried the aioli. “That has a punch.”

She took the pea fritter “Your batter is lovely. And the frying isn’t too oily. What do you think your best cuisines are?”

"If you go to a culinary institute, one of those answers had better be French, and I am very good with the 'classical French school'." She said with finger quotes. "I love pastas, and Italian as well as general Mediterranean cuisines. And being in Nevada, the classic American favorites are a must. We all get time working a buffet at some point." She joked. "My weakest is Asian and African cuisine. I'm not bad at the basics, mind you, but I know Mrs. Ruan is going to have tricks I haven't heard of yet."

"I am also a baker and Pastry chef, though I don't have a specialization. I'm more generally competent around baking."

“I do love a good pasta, and no one born dislikes fresh bread.”

"I am glad to hear you enjoyed the fish. How's the Fritter? I kind of tossed that together from half remembered reading. I added a touch of dill with the mint because I just thought it sounded good." She thought for a moment. “I also took a course on being a competent Sommelier. It was kind of a summer program, but the teacher also mentioned how to pair beers and whiskeys as well as wines to foods."

“Well that is useful, I know granny Ruan has been working on loading up the house bar. How much time do you need to pack up?”

"Honestly, not much. I mean, the place I have here is great but..."

"They're basically packed in tuna cans we call efficiency apartments. The kids learn to be organized, or to not use their own furniture."

“Wonderful! Then you can make the trip back with us. I’d like you to make a wish list of everything you want in and for the kitchen. I’ve deliberately not kitted out the kitchen past some basics. I’ll have Penny send you pictures of the indoor and outdoor kitchens, send her the list and we will see what we can do.”

"Right, can do! Ohh, I'm so excited!"

“I am glad, Penny did you bring the contract? It will go over your pay and perks.”

"Okay, let's get to the nitty gritty." The girl said, diving into the contract, looking it over like someone who took more business courses than she really wanted to. She started signing things on the second read through.

Solaris smiled. “Looks like we will get one of your students settled. She said to the dean.” I will apologize for stealing your cook team.

"Oh, it's fine. Technically we take turns among the staff, but she better finish dinner tonight. I don't have staff here to do it tonight!"

"I will sir." She said, as two of her left to pack, and a pair went back into the kitchen.

"She cheats, but damn if that isn't useful."

Hiring Fair, Part 3

“Why is it that villains never have trouble finding people to hire? Is there a group called ‘Thugs are Us’ or something that hires out goons?”

“I don’t know, but if we ever find them, I’m hiring some myself. I’m tired of being outnumbered.”

Vanguard and Amazonian, after fighting two busloads of goons Major Pain brought intending to attack the Super Bowl.

"I think she missed having a staff." Penny said with a chuckle.

"As things get worked up it will get harder and harder to move around. Surrounding myself with good, loyal people is a great way to not get lonely, nor to worry about little day to day things.”

"The two remaining I want to introduce you to are both in building A’s apartments." The dean once more drove them back to the house, though this time parking at one of the "barns". "We put a semi-transparent film over the windows to make it look like the barn it’s shaped like. Won't fool you up close but keeps outsiders assuming we're a ranch. Never mind we have only a handful of animals."

He led them through the front door, into what was a sort of lobby. The apartments ran along each side of the barn structure, while there was a common, indoor patio area, with washing machines tucked away opposite the doors. The interior was filled with what could be a chaotic growth of plants, vines and flowers except no handrail was covered, and no front window had their view blocked. It was chaos worked around order.

"This is an interesting cacophony of colors." Solaris said. "I am assuming this is the work of the prospect?"

"Yes, she tends to decorate her environment but has learned to make it eye pleasing to everyone, not just her." He led them up the stairs, to one of the apartment doors and knocked.

"Come In." They entered a tiny but tidy kitchen, a young woman with dark skin but shockingly blue eyes looking up at them from where she was sitting. "Hello." She said, her voice quiet but not soft, reaching like a bell to be heard while still being delicate. "How can I help you and your friends, sir?”

“Hello Mercades. This is Solaris, she is looking for a Gardener and groundskeeper for her home in New York and thought you might be interested in the job.”

"Groundskeeper? I suppose I'm technically qualified. But is it in the city its self? I'm not sure I'd do well in Manhattan."

"No, we are on Islip is a quiet place a bit away from New York City with a couple of acers of land. We're only maybe a mile from a state forest."

"Hmmm, hiking in the north-east could be interesting."

“Marcus and Nahoa also enjoy hiking, my security guard and driver.”

"Oh, good. I usually go with Anzy, when she's free. Are you wanting just pretty, or also practical. I do herb gardens and veggie gardens here."

"Both. I want a kitchen garden as well as lovely flowers and plants. I've ordered a greenhouse that will be put on property soon so plants can be wintered."

"That's lovely. Privacy hedges would be easy to do there too, good as a fence, especially if you add brambles."

"A delightful idea. It will make it feel more like home. Do you think you would enjoy planning out and maintaining the gardens? I know better than most we are not our powers and I want to make sure you will be happy doing the work.”

"My powers have been active since I was six. I kind of am my powers. They're just part of who I am, as much as an arm or a leg." She shrugged. "I just don't get the science of it. Why would I care about all that fiddly stuff when plants are an open book to me."

The Dean nodded "To be fair, and honest, Mercedes was a bit of an indifferent student. Never failing or anything like that, but if the topic didn't interest her she didn't excel. She's a bit more of an artist at heart."

She blushed. "He's not wrong."

“Well, a well-tended garden is a work of art. What is it that you want to do? Do you want to be a gardener?”

"I am a painter." She said, gesturing around the apartment. The paintings on the wall were landscapes and still life. "I don't keep my portraits. I gave those to the others when I painted them. I am hoping to one day be good enough to show in a gallery. maybe even sell a painting or two. I don't think I'm there yet, but I'm learning. But in spite of that, a painter can’t just paint. I’d hate to not spend time in the sun."

“Ahh, I understand. It is good to know what you love. If you are not interested that is fine.”

"I am interested, though I wouldn't be able to ask for a very large wage. I just wouldn't be working that hard, since I am kind of a plant cheat code. I am sure I could help with other things too. As long as I can paint, and there are plants, I am happy."

Solaris was less sure about this one, she was honest but didn’t seem to have any motivation. “Mrs. Ruan, I’d like your opinion she’d be working under you.”

"I'm not sure. She has the talent, but I'm not sure she's interested or focused. However, it could also be that she's a bit distant by nature."

"I can be." She admitted. "I am interested in sculpting the plants of your acreage I don't mind moving to the outskirts of New York and the idea of being able to go into the city to see the galleries and museums would be lovely for me and my development."

Solaris nodded, “Alright. Penny can you give her pictures of the grounds? I would like you to view these, Mercedes, and put together a quick plan of what you would do. I want you to show me that you can and will do the job, this is your chance to sell yourself. While you do that I’ll go speak to the business and marketing person, then come back to see what you’ve come up with.”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

"I can do that." She said, pulling a sketch pad out of a drawer with colored pencils, accepting a picture sent from the assistant. She started working on it right away, sketching in the house and pool first thing. “Have fun talking to Elenore. She will definitely come off as motivated.”

Out and down the stairs, the other girls apartment was on the opposite side. This time the tiny apartment they were let in was decorated by photographs everywhere. A laptop sat open on the counter. "Hello there. You must be the folks looking to hire people. I bumped into Anzy earlier."

“How many of her?” Solaris said with humor in her voice.

"Two, and they actually ran into me." She chuckled. "I'm used to it. Can I offer you anything to drink, since I'm sure you've eaten."

“Thank you for asking but I’m okay. The dean tells me you studied marketing and business, what kind of work are you looking for?

"I intend to pursue my own entreprenureship, once I can build a nest egg, and settle upon an idea. I'm not interested in working in the normal corporate culture. I've thought about bullying Anzy into opening a restaurant, but she wants more experience before she does something like that."

"Right now, I am working on Fivrr for extra cash helping streamers and youtubers work out basic marketing plans. In their case its more figuring out Merch that will appeal to their viewers than anything. A few small businesses have also had me assist with simple plans for their own small stores. Nothing terribly enriching financially but satisfying in their way."

“Well, that sounds perfect. Solaris smiled. “I am getting everything set up to rehab, restore and renovate my family home in England. My PR Manager suggested having YouTuber and influencers to do the work. I need someone to manage the projects, make sure nothing walks off, that the influencers are not angering the village, and if someone isn’t meeting their contracted expectations replace them. I also need someone to start marketing the property for events. And finding ways to make the property profitable.

" And that's small enough you don't necessarily want a firm, but big enough you want a specialist." She snapped her fingers and two puffs of smoke occurred above her. Two adorable looking kittens with wings appeared, and flew off, returning quickly with a folder. "This is a print up of a plan I did for a bed and breakfast. I just happened to have print outs because I wanted to make sure things looked good on paper. There's a flyer they sent previous customers, sketches for some new signage, things like that there if you would like to take a look."

Solaris took the paper. I don’t normally ask but I have to. “Flying Kittens?”

"I create, well we call them imps for lack of a better term. They're not truly sentient, and I doubt they're really alive. When I summon small ones to do innocuous tasks they come out cute, I can kind of choose a theme and flying kittens are hard to find scary."

“Her flying tigers are significantly less adorable.” The dean wryly commented.

“Interesting I could see that as useful. She looked over the packet “This is very good. Do you think you can handle managing the renovation and business end of the manor? It is a very large job and I am certain there will be issues.”

"I can monitor the renovation, at a distance and with occasional visits, but managing it should be left to your general contractor. I don't know a hammer from a hole in the wall." She admitted. "As for the business end, definitely. I'm getting a feel for weddings, film shoots, and other events."

“Yes, exactly, the lawyer and the contractor will monitor the actual work, I need you to make sure the people are behaving and not running off with the copper or something else strange. I still don’t understand why people steal copper.” She admitted.

"I'll talk to the people I know, and reach out to the ones I don't but think would be good. To manage the project, like I said, might mean frequent trips out there, or even spending extended time in England, depending on what stage we're at. I don't mind that, just musing over the logistics."

“My PR person is also reaching out to people you’ll be working a lot with Zakai and his people, and I figured you’d be staying in England for the project.”

"Can do. I assume short term I'd come to New York to strategize?"

“Yes, and I’d be taking trips to England every now and then to keep my finger in the pie. I’ll rent a flat for you in the village, in addition to your salary. Along with a car for you to get around.”

"That would be good. A van or SUV would be better. Then I can pick up people coming in." she suggested.

"It sounds like we both think this is a good fit. Do you have paperwork going over pay and benefits? I can look that over and get everything set in motion."

“I wasn’t honestly thinking of this position when I came here, I can give you the basic contract and the Penny will send a complete copy with more details.”

"I have a generalized sheet, just in case we were going to hire others." Penny pulled it out of her bag. "This is the benefits we're offering, and an estimate on pay for given jobs. A marketing project head wasn't on my list, but I'd say it's going to be similar to a chef, would you agree?”

“I would think so. There is a bonus system in there and we can increase the pay if the workload demands it.”

"This seems fine to start. I don't have any formal experience from a normal hiring rate, plus you're offering to get me a car, send me to England, and get me an apartment. I don't think complaining makes a lot of sense."

This should give you a lot of experience toward whatever you decide to do in your future. Impress me enough and I might be your first investor.”

"Impress me enough, and I might prefer being you project coordinating maven." She said back with a smile.

“Oh, we are going to get along famously.” Solaris chuckled. “When do you want to start? If you don’t mind sharing with the mechanic duo, I have a place you can stay while we get you set up in England. That may not be for months, to be fair. Nothing major will start with winter coming in the North Sea.”

"That's absolutely fine. They, um, don't both live next door but I see them both regularly. Erica is my neighbor.”

"And sure her boyfriend never hangs out past curfew. Pull the other one kid." The dean chuckled.

“Celebrate love as you can, it can vanish in a moment.” The blonde hero said with a smile.

"Grim, but true."

"Shall we go check on our artist friend, and see what she's achieved?"

"Yes. Let see what she has done. Mercades is the only one I've been uncertain of."

What they found was her with a laptop open, and quick sketches, multiple, of the property from both the overhead they had brought her, and from the front from the real estate listing and google street view. "I think at some point the neighbors were fighting because the current lay out is a bit weird." She said absently as she pushed a few sketches forward.

"This is the front view. If you look at your street level view, the trees basically hide the house and I figure that's not a bad thing, so I was thinking we move a few of the trees along the driveway, I can get them to move, not have to dig them up, and thicken the front and sides, maybe even adding a tree at the corner of the house here to give privacy from this neighbor."

"You think the original trees where part of some neighborly dispute?" Solaris said, looking over the drawings with a careful eye. She was pleased the girl took the assignment seriously and handed the picture over to Granny Ruan to look over.

"My thought is put a gazebo on a raised dias in the middle of the front yard, which is not really set up to be used for much. The gazebo could be used to wait for visitors. Then around the gazebo plant a kind of faux hedge maze. I say faux because I'd put two full length stretches like a cross, then kind of mini-mazes in the quadrants. I sketched one using roses, one using just hedges, and one with a indistinct flowering bush because I don't know yet what grows well in the area."

She paused "Oh yeah. Look at this layout. This is obviously a rich community, and the neighbors on both sides ran their driveways right against what is now your property line. And the trees along here are only on your property, at least that's my guess, and are blocking your neighbor from seeing onto your property. In comparison, the back yard is arranged, again, to make it real hard for your neighbor on one side to see anything that's going on.”

“Interesting, That does make the suggestion of some tall hedgerows between the properties even more desirable. the last thing I need is some nosy neighbor spying through the windows at me. I do love roses. Strong, thorny, and beautiful. I do like the concept of the faux maze, though I'm not sure it's enough space to do justice to the mini mazes. the gazebo is a good idea. What are you thinking for the kitchen garden?”

"The maze is more visual interest than really mazy like, I admit." She did say. "I have another idea but I'll show you that in a minute. The herb garden I'd want to put here, on this kind of secondary walkway. You have a big entrance right here, so guests would come through there, to the pool and covered dining area so they would be unlikely to walk in it. This is also far enough from the salt water of the bay here to keep from being a problem. Instead of planting in rows I think it might look better to put raised planters, and fill the boxes with an herb or two here, a vegetable or three there, so it doesn't look like you randomly have a tiny farm sitting here. That keeps things organized without needing straight rows for everything. A lot of herbs are happy to grow in more chaotic, um, I guess clumps?" she shrugged.

"An alternative for the front would be a similar planters, with rose bushes and a kind of stone or brick walkway, I drew using cobblestones, to the same Gazebo. The Gazebo idea is you can wait for visitors there, and if you don't want the visitor in your house, it can be a comfortable place to talk to them, without them feeling snubbed. It's less ‘You annoy me, talk here’ and more ‘See my lovely gazebo? You don't need to worry about my back yard sanctuary or my living room, stupid reporter man.’”

"They would also perfume the air nicely, walking to and from the pool. I didn't think of trying to hide the vegetables. I've always had a garden. I rather like the idea though, it would be more visually pleasing than a small organized plot. It is an idea that can be expanded on too. Maybe grape vines? Or some small fruit trees. I think that would work quite well. Beauty and practicality literally planted side by side.” She handed the drawing over to the other two. "I like where you are going with this. Do you think this is something you would like to make real?"

"Oh yeah, these trees, I mean they were thrown in and then left to fend. I'd like to move them around and get them happier looking, while keeping the privacy and if the Gazebo is done right anyone coming to it knows they're visiting at the person sitting there's pleasure. I like the drama. I see your point about the small area for a maze, so the Planters aren't a bad idea. Roses are kind of stuck up sometimes, so they'll like having their own little world. As for fruit trees, I could see peppering the back yard with a few. I'd really be tempted to suggest cherry trees, for the blossoms at that time of year, put little benches around them as sitting areas that also smell pretty and make cherries that the birds will eat so maybe not a great idea."

"Plum or apple might work well too, though both would be messy in the fall." Solaris said. "I am willing to give you a chance. I can see a bit of passion for the project in you now to see what you can create.”

"Thank you. I mean, I'm sure I could do other things too. Anzy uses me as an errand runner a lot. She loves to take me to farmers markets, because I can find the best produce. That and I'm a more cautious driver than basically all my classmates."

The Dean coughed. "We might teach a fairly offensive form of defensive driving course for the reasons this school exists." He admitted.

"I'll have to have Erica and Levi teach Marcus. Defensive driving would be a good skill for him to learn.”

"That's agreed." Penny said, considering. "I'll track down something that we don't mind getting wrecked back home for them to play with in that regard. No reason for them to wreck a nice car." She joked.

“I agree. You will probably be bunking with Anzy.”

“I don't mind. I spend most of my time with Anzy. I'm not great with people, but Anzy kind of, well she surrounds you, sometimes literally."

“We will be leaving once we arrange for a plane. If you want to pack your things. With all of you I may just hire a mover to take all your stuff to New York. Depends on how much cargo space whatever I buy has.”

"I can pack up. Mostly just clothes and my art stuff for me." She admitted.

"That is fine,” Solaris said handing her the contract that Penny handed to her. "I look forward to seeing your work make our lawn a place of beauty.”

"I will do my best." She said, with a soft smile. “Though I suppose I’ll be more of a mason since winters coming. That could be interesting though.”

After they left the apartment Penny said "Seemed she was more energized by the idea than you had thought. She went a bit extra looking the place up online."

"I am glad, I was worried about her motivation levels. But the work was solid, so I am willing to try. Anzy and Elenore have me excited. Seems we’re getting a good team together."

“I promise, this is just a precaution, and you can consider it part of your pay. To be honest, I’m never going to be able to sell the car I’m thinking of, anyhow.” The Tailor muttered darkly as they rode the elevator up to a level they hadn’t been to before. On this floor were vehicles with noticeable damage, under construction by various people, and a few just parked in the corner, some covered in dust. “This is a bit of a behind the scenes peek most don’t get. Where the toys get made.” He chuckled. “And here’s the car.”

“What is it.”

The car was an older design, that much was obvious. The square body was not something you’d see in a modern car, though its size seemed odd. Not as big as the two boys thought older cars should be.

“This is a 1968 Plymouth Valiant, with some modifications.” The Tailor replied, tsking as he ran a finger over the car, dust coming off visibly. “A wanna be new hero calling himself Valiant wanted a car to match his name, and I found plenty of them so we worked out a deal. He paid partially in advance for me to build him a sleeper hot rod version, suitable for the super set, then just as I was half way done he got himself put into traction and a coma by some drug-enhanced maniac in Jersey. Needless to say, he never completed paying and eventually canceled when he regained consciousness. I finished it, just because I can’t help myself.”

“Okay, neat, but it’s a classic, isn’t it?”

“A classic you can buy for less than a used Accord. A not very gently used one. It’s probably the cheapest car I’ve ever built, and no one is going to come here looking for it. It’s turbocharged, with enhanced suspension and steering. I upgraded the interior and electronics, so it has a limited infotainment system, though no where near what a new car has.”

“I also included a smoke dispenser, oil trap, and we pulled every pannel off and layered carbon fiber and Kevlar so the things bullet proof, including the glass. We also reinforced the frame.”