Hiring Fair, Part 2

“When we hire, we’re very careful to screen every applicant, not just for their skills but for any security concerns. It’s a balancing act, because you can’t ignore anything, but you have to disregard certain factors.”

“I mean, someone who can turn invisible is definitely a security risk, but refusing to hire them because of that is a lawsuit waiting to happen.”’

Unknown Human Resource manager overheard at a bar.

“I am happy we found a good fit for our chef. It kind of fills up our living quarters, though.”

"There's the option of others coming out later, to be fair. We don't strictly need everyone right now. It's late enough in the year we can hold off on a gardener, though I'm already seeing signs of wanting a mechanic on staff. I don't think we're stopping with the four cars you have already bought and that’s ignoring the bike you ordered Marcus."

“True.” Solaris said pondering. “Well let’s meet people and see what we think. They may not click with us, if they do, we can figure it out then.”

"Who would you like to meet next?"

“I guess the mechanics, we do have quite a few vehicles.”

"I know where they are." He led the group up and out, over to a side by side. He drove it over a couple of hills to reveal a dirt race track and a few outbuildings with solar panels. They could hear an engine whining as it failed to start. "That would be Erica and Levi." In one garage were two younger adults working on the engine in a car that had definitely seen better days. "Okay, seriously. It's got spark, it's turning. It's got to be the fuel system."

"Yeah, but it's not firing with fluid. Oh hey, Dean, who is your friends?"

“This is Miss Summers, she’s here looking to hire a few good people, and is from our community.”

"So, what are you looking for, or are you putting together a racing team?" Erica said, looking over the strangers, then stepping slightly away from Grandmother Ruan. "I mean, joking aside, what can we do for you? If it is a racing team, we’re definitely your crew."

"Well, I know something she can do." The elder woman muttered with a smirk.

“I am looking for mechanics to look after my various vehicles, ranging from cars to planes. If you want to build a race car, I would happily assist if I hired you. I have always enjoyed motor sports.”

"Well, she knows how to sweeten a pot. What do you want to know? We're both certified automotive mechanics. We're familiar with piston aircraft motors and I am part way through the material for certifying as an aircraft mechanic." Levi said. “She certified for diesel as well as gas, mostly because a teacher pissed her off.”

“He said I was too small and delicate for engine work. Jackass.” Erica muttered. "I'm also pretty good with computers, got a few minor IT certificates, and Levi's a very, very good welder. Traditionally and otherwise."

"Well, that is a useful skill especially in our set." Solaris said. "The job will require relocation and travel. Right now, I am in New York, though I'm likely to become pretty mobile, hence the need for mechanics. What are you looking in for in a job?

"Well, we kind of want to work in the same area, though neither of us are opposed to moving. Las Vegas isn't really a great market for non-hospitality jobs." Levi said. "And some flexibility because we do want to put together a drag car, more for fun than anything but we like working on stuff like that."

"Well, I doubt maintaining my small fleet will keep you that busy, and Penny,” She gestured. "Is working on putting together her own power armor in her free time. So flexibility isn't an issue. I will need you to get passports if you don't have them.”

"We have them. The older group, apartment crew, mostly has them. We decided to road trip to Mexico during spring break." The boy was embarrassed, and the Dean rolled his eyes.

"They managed to irritate some cartel idiots. Fortunately, no one was hurt and what happened in Mexico stayed in Mexico."

"They wouldn't be in our set without such events, and I am happy they can handle themselves. I don't know how many of my old foes are still around. Most of those are polite enough not to bother me at home, but the young turks wanting to make a name are always out there. I assume you are a couple. can you tell me a bit about yourselves."

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"I was born in Vegas," Erica said. "My origin in that regard isn't something I really want to think too hard about but let’s just say my mother wasn't fit to be a mother before I started seeing things and was worse after. My power is a bit odd as I have a pan-spectrum vision. If it’s an energy, or energetic particle, I can choose to see in that spectrum. And yes, that includes ye olde X-ray vision. Course, when it developed my vision would shift sometimes at random, everyone becoming walking skeletons... Halloween isn't my favorite time of year."

"I was born in Texas, my family one of those Christian fundie types who think they needed as many kids as possible. When I first developed my powers, well," He picked up two pieces of steel, and with a surge of heat, welded them together. "You can imagine I got to be hard on the house and clothes since my control was poor. I was only 12 after all."

“I didn't get pegged as a demon or something by my family, but I wasn't safe with my siblings. They got me into the school, even visit from time to time. I could have gone home but when I've visited it feels like there's more people there than here! And I don't fit in since my personal belief system has drifted pretty wide from theirs."

"I can understand that. We are forged by our experiences as much as our families." Her eyes went a little distant then she shook her head. "I was born in England, but I've spent much of my adult life in the US. I was raised to treat staff like family so if things seem over the top that is why. I can have Penny send you contracts to go over, but I am willing to see how well we work. I will need to work out housing for you,”

"Bah. I move into the house,” Granny said with an imperious wave. “Marcus can bunk with Nahoa, then young couple can have pool house. Problem solved."

"Or we can do that." Solaris said with dry humor and a roll of the eyes.

"Ms. Summers owns the house. Madam Ruan runs the house." Penny said with a laugh

The older woman snorted. "Damn right. Youngsters, all of you."

Both were blushing, but didn't complain. "Um, well okay, that doesn't sound bad. Live in mechanic. I'm assuming you'd like us to do other stuff around the property too. Like I said, I'm pretty good at IT stuff, even some light coding." Erica said. "I do the electronic and," suddenly her arm shot out, a half second before the Deans elbow hit a container of solvent, catching it smoothly and putting it away. "And Levi actually is an artist and just qualified for his multi-engine private pilots rating."

"Sounds impressive, but I just qualified on a little Piper Cherokee we have here. Not like I'm flying around an airbus or anything:"

"We flew here on something called an Airbus, and I was not impressed. Piloting is a plus as we are purchasing a plane while we are here so perhaps you can qualify on that as well. Depending on cargo space we should be able to get you all moved in, and if that doesn't work, I'll hire a mover.”

"Other than our tools, we don't have a lot to pack. We'll leave this beater for the mechanics class to work with. We've been buying junkers and getting them running again to sell. It's made us a bit of cash."

“Do you have your 'special' project yet, the white whale you may never finish?”

"Our goal project right now is the drag car." Erica said. "Everyone wants to get ahold of that perfect muscle car or pasta rocket. I'd love to get ahold of a Ferrari to make my own."

"I'm more American muscle. Pretty much all the old Detroit steel." Levi said.

"We can do a bit of searching, I love Bentley myself and I'd like to get a nice fun convertible to add to the fleet, something red and reckless.

"We talking modern, fifties muscle, or old school cool. I recognize who you are, so it could go all three. I could totally see you in a modern vette, or something European from the mid-century and everyone looks cool in something from the thirties. Either gangster or G-man chic."

"Something soft feminine, with lots of curves. that makes the cops worry." Solaris said. "I missed the Fifties, so I’d have to look at pictures to see what they look like

"Oh, I can come up with a suggestion." Erica assured her.

"I am eager to see what you find. I will let you know when we get the plane and are flying back. We are also hiring Anzy as the chef.”

"Ohh, Iteration is going with us? Sweet."

"Iteration. That is a wonderful name for her. She is charming."

"She’s adorable, just keep an eye on her and coffee. She'll sometimes forget there are five of her, and all of them will make a cup of coffee. When she joins back up wow does she bounce off the walls." Levi chuckled.

"Oh my, that would wire even me!" Solaris said with a laugh. "I have one or two more people to talk to. If you would lead the way dean.”

Nahoa and Marcus had debated what to do for about a day, considering just letting the boss deal with it when she got back, but decided they didn’t want to deal with the sort of person who might handle glowing guns and whips. The first problem, however, was they lacked any way to call the Tailor, since they didn’t know his number.

The simple solution, and the one they followed, was to drive over to the same place they’d gone to get their fittings. Finding the door, they pulled the box out of the trunk and walked to the door, looking for a doorbell, Ring, or something to push.

“You don’t suppose they’re only here when there’s appointments, do you?” Nahoa asked.

Marcus shook his head, watching as a ‘homeless man’ hurried around a corner. “No, but I don’t think they watch the door camera. I think we’ll hear from someone soon.”

Two minutes later the speaker kicked on. “Mr. M, Mr. N. I wasn’t expecting you today. Is there a problem?”

“I think you shipped something to us by mistake.” Marcus said, holding up the box.

“Really.” The door popped open. “Come in. Let’s see what you have.”

One trip into the hidden depths of the building later, and the Tailor was frowning at the contents of the box. “Oh, now this is a problem. She must be busy, or she’d have noticed this hasn’t been delivered yet.”

“I know enough not to ask who, but we figured you’d love to get this to her. We’ll get out of your hair, now. Oh, can we have a number to call, if we have something like this happen again?”

“Oh, after I’m done with that courier, you’ll never have an issue again.” He muttered. “Actually, yes, I can give you my number, but I wonder, would you gents be interested in a little side work? I can make it much more than worth your while.”

They looked at each other, then shrugged. “I mean, sure. Why not?”

“Great… let’s see what vehicles I have in the lien lot. Don’t want you taking something that can’t take a hit, after all.”

“Wait, what?”