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Granny? Didn't you say you'd be back late tonight?

Oh, come on now, don't give me the silent treatment. I feel like I've done something wrong here.

Oh, it's you, Stan.

S-Sorry, I, err, wasn't trying to scare you or anything...

It's fine, it's fine. Lighten up.

Yeah...

Say, isn't this the first time you've dropped over to mine?

Have a sit and I'll whip you up a snack. You're fine with tangerine fizzy drinks, yeah? Help yourself. As for that snack...

I've brought something.

Nice. Let's see... Fried fin and potato pie? Bit more of a meal than a snack, no?

...I made it myself.

Suppose I'll have a try, then.

Get me a can as well while you're at it!

No, not over there, under the kitchen cupboard where we put the brooms!

*glug* *glug*... Man, that taste...

Me Da said he'd rather chew on his welding rod than eat my cooking.

The flavor <i>is</i> a tad bit... intense.

Help me out here, Feist. Don't doom the boys at the factory to eat this day after day.

As you know, I ain't got any talents other than learning how to weld from me Da. I was just waiting to be let into his team. He's discussed it all with the factory director already.

Wait, don't tell me...

Last month, they went on an 'optimization' spree at the assembly line all for the sake of 'improving our manufacturing efficiency', so me Da got 'optimized' to the cafeteria—

No way!

Now, I'm slated to join his team there, but even after half a month's worth of practice at home, I can't even get the simplest thing done in the kitchen, let alone cook anything edible.

Me Da's about to retire, Feist, and I'd rather not get kicked out of the cafeteria then fired from the factory the moment he's gone.

That optimization plan was my idea...

It was?

Sorry.

Nah, I don't blame you. When you were little, you were already talking about how you wanted to get the whole factory modernized. You managed to put your money where your mouth is, unlike me...

Anyhow, since you were the one who came up with it, d'you think you could change it back? Put me Da back on the assembly line?

I'm not sure the director would be too happy to do it... but we'd better go see him, just in case.

Worst comes to worst, I could ask around and see if any other lines need a welder.

I-If you could?

Just leave it to me.

So, what'd the director say, Feist?

You don't look too good. Don't tell me—No, don't tell me the director... Was he... mad?

Nah. You should've seen that why-should-I give-a-damn-about-anyone-else look on his face... I almost couldn't help but stuff your fried fin down his gob.

He insists there's no going back. As for the assembly line, he says he sent your dad to the cafeteria <i>because</i> there were no vacancies at the factory in the first place.

Damn. Me Da's been all over Highbury the last few days, says a real big manufacturer went bankrupt recently. Not even the lads with experience can find work. A wet-behind-the-ears guy like me... No factory's going to want me.

You could try something outside a factory. Maybe try your hand at business? Start a small grocery, something like that?

Or maybe the railway? I'm not too familiar with them, not sure if they're recruiting.

Or, err, even dormitory cleaner's not a bad job. It's hard work, but at least you'll be paid...

Uhh...

I'm the one who got you into this mess, so it's my responsibility to get you out. Come on, let's head home and change into something nicer. We'll set out and look for work in the afternoon.

Sure.

...Not a single bite.

I'll jot down the places we hit up today. We can try our luck in some other borough tomorrow.

Damn bloody pen's dried up... Dammit!

How about we just call it here, Feist.

Like I said, I can't blame you for this. Technology marches on, and even if you weren't around, the director would've 'optimized' some people out eventually.

Talented guys like you can find their place no matter how tech develops, but people like me... We're not the same.

I don't have any work experience or book smarts, my family's got no money, and I'm not a people person like you, able to get along with everyone...

Don't be so hard on yourself, Stan. We were just unlucky today.

But we've already scoured all of Highbury, and Auchterigg too—

Why so glum, chaps? Worried about how to pay your bills? Not happy with your work? Or maybe you got let off by one of the Highbury factories?

And who might you be, Mister...?

I'm a recruiter. Interested?

That's great! Recruiting for what?

Well, what line of work are you two in?

Welding.

Welders are just what we need. C'mon, I'll show you our factory.

Where is it? We've spent the whole day checking every single one in Highbury and none of them needed welders. Is it just opened?

Err, yeah.

In Magna Borough maybe? We were going to try our luck there tomorrow.

Sure enough, that's the place—

Opening a factory in a posh borough like that? You tell a good joke, mister. Let's go, Stan.

A damp, warm night breeze blows through Highbury from a corner beyond the streetlamp's reach, causing them to shiver.

I'll be heading home, I guess.

And then?

I dunno. Me Da's pension isn't enough to keep himself fed. I know he wants to take care of me, but we'll both starve if he does...

Sorry Feist, you don't need to listen to my bellyaching. You've done enough.

I'm just going to go back to the factory and join the cafeteria. I should be able to muddle my way through.

Back to the factory... Join the cafeteria...

That might just work out.

Glad you agree—

No, Stan. I'm not letting you give up here. Like I said, this is my responsibility.

If you can't cook, then I'll take your place.

What about your work?

You can handle it, optimizing lines and suchlike.

Are you serious?!

Better than slaving away in a kitchen, am I right?

I-I dunno, I really don't have any talent like you do...

If you don't give it a try, how do you know you're not talented at it?

I'll talk things over with Granny and the director. Give it a shot, won't you?

Swap positions? I don't know what's gotten into your heads. What does your grandmother think, Feist? Is she really alright with this lunacy?

If she wasn't, I wouldn't be here talking with you.

Heaven knows why you're being so stubborn about this... Forget it.

Very well then, swap positions. But mark my words, there can be no disruptions to either the assembly line or the cafeteria. If there's any trouble, it'll be you two bearing the consequences.

W-Will we be fired?

A firing would be the least of your troubles. If anything happens, you'll be compensating for our losses <i>in full</i>!

Feist? Is that really you?

'Tis.

The director told me all about it yesterday. I thought it was just you youngsters up to some nonsense.

Since you two are serious, I won't coddle you. Do what needs to be done, and don't make a mess of things. Got that?

Understood.

Good. Now get those baskets of potatoes peeled.

You're quite the neat peeler—Wait, how come so many of these little potatoes only have a single cut? Been testing one of your 'inventions' again?

Ahaha...

I don't care how you get them peeled, but you need to clean up your own mess.

Will do. No need to worry, sir.

Seems like I need to do some more troubleshooting—