Your Tax Dollars At Work

[plate_builder]

WHO: Reeve Tuesti, Open
WHERE: Temba
WHAT: Road Work
WHEN: All of April
WARNINGS: N/A

For those who hate the noise of roadwork, well, they will have Reeve's pity and apology later. For now there is work to be done. And the form of that work involves a very large machine that makes a bit too much noise and hot scents. There is nothing to be done for that part.

Though anyone who wants to complain can probably talk to the man and cat standing beside it, wearing hard hats (where did Reeve get one in Mini's size), discussing plans and a map.

Or perhaps one might find them when the machine is still and quieter, where Reeve stands securely on the edge of one of the holes in the road, lowering a rope into it at a slow pace. Clearly he's intent on the work, playing out the line with a constant level of caution.

And then there's the end of the day, as the sun is growing low, and Reeve is shutting down the machine while going about and checking material levels in it. Behind it a new stretch of road cures. Every now and then Reeve looks over toward it with clear pride. Another sign of Temba being restored to something like order. It's what he's here for.

Comments

[plate_builder]

"I drink enough that I really just have to maintain my own stock, so I'm not depriving others," Reeve admits with a laugh. "I have a small problem with it."

[crystalmaster]

"Oh, I see," Radley says. "That sounds like my friend Scotch with hot chocolate."

[plate_builder]

"Hot chocolate?"

How interesting to hear from the man. But he is not certain it is the same. Reeve knows he is a borderline addict to caffeine.

[crystalmaster]

"Yeah, he can't get enough of chocolate," Radley says. "He loves chocolate milk too. I like it myself, but he likes it even more."

[plate_builder]

"I have heard suggestions that chocolate, in moderation, can be wonderful for one's health."

Not that he's read the studies of course.

[crystalmaster]

Radley chuckles. "He says that a lot too. I kinda hope it's true. It seems like it's not often that something that actually tastes good and is fun to eat or drink is good for you."

[plate_builder]

"Yes, that is true," Reeve agrees thoughtfully. "Unless you live where you can get fresh produce like we get here. It's been refreshing."

[crystalmaster]

"We do have that, thankfully," Radley says. "I can make a lot of recipes with vegetables."

[plate_builder]

Oh well that makes Reeve smile.

"As a farm boy in my past, I really do appreciate those when they show up."

[crystalmaster]

Radley nods. "I grew up at a vineyard and it was really beautiful there. We didn't grow anything but grapes, but we always ordered the freshest foods. My family always had lots of delicious meals with vegetables and pasta and cheese."

Ironically, he's allergic to grapes, but he's not going to mention that.

[plate_builder]

Allergic to grapes was an insane irony, yes.

"That sounds like heaven in some ways."

[crystalmaster]

Radley smiles. "Food and scenery wise, it sure was. I like to bring what I can of that to here."

[plate_builder]

"Alas, no vineyards?"

[crystalmaster]

"I don't think anyone's figured those out yet," Radley says. "I'm not sure if we've got anything similar to grapes." He hasn't seen anything like that anyway.

[plate_builder]

Ah, that sounds reasonable. Though what would they even do with grapes? More jams?

"That is fair. Perhaps we shall be content with no wine then."

[crystalmaster]

"Probably for the time being, yeah. If anybody asked the Agrii for some, they might get peanut butter wine," Radley smirks darkly.

[plate_builder]

"Minerva forbid," Reeve gasps out. He looks a little green around the metaphorical gills to even have it suggested. "Do not give them ideas."

[crystalmaster]

Radley is actually surprised they haven't done something like that yet.

"Let's hope they don't," he says.

[plate_builder]

"And to ensure such things we should never say the 'p' word with any good food. For safety."

[crystalmaster]

Radley smirks a bit. "Probably a good idea. We never know if they might be listening."

Do they listen constantly? Do they take shifts?

[plate_builder]

"I expect they are listening. There has been nothing in their behavior to imply otherwise in my opinion."

And wasn't that distressing to think about? That they might never have anything properly considered privacy.

[crystalmaster]

"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of," Radley sighs. "It's like this movie back home where this guy's whole life is being broadcast on TV and he doesn't know it."

[plate_builder]

Oh. That sounds unpleasant in every sense of the word.

"I think I would rather not have to live a life like that. Though I suppose we are truly like that."

[crystalmaster]

"Yeah, right now I don't think we have much choice," Radley says with a grim smirk. "They probably watch our 'show' all the time."

[plate_builder]

"Given their clear use of their 'theater', that seems quite likely. But I do not know what we can do about that."

Nothing he expected.