It had been a hektic year so far for Mr Dorchester. City Hall was still being rebuilt so he was forced to work out of a small back office in The Gut, and even worse, he had to report to the “office” of Mr Tenk, which was basically a pub.
On the evening of February 22nd, it started. A single large cargo steamer plied into port babbage and docked, the dockers done their usual quick job of unloading crates of building material to Brunel Hall, there was nothing unusual there…the hall was always getting something done to it.
What happened the following day…and the day after…clogged up the port docks. February 23rd, 8 inbound cargo steamers, 3 flatbed cargo haul steamers and two drop airships all arrived…at the same time. On the early morning of Feb 24th another 3 cargo haulers arrived at the already backlogged port.
All of them delivering cargo of various italian plasters, wood and tiles…to Brunel Hall.
Dorchester stormed into Brunel Hall on the mid morning of the 24th, at least he would have stormed in if it wasnt for the some 30 workers all stripping out what was once the bathing pool of the hall.
“MOOORNINGTON!” The shout of Dorchester for such a little man was deafening, most of the workers turned to look at him, then shake their head and go back to work. Mornington walked up to Dorchester with a grin on his face…
“Why! It’s Mr Tenk’s secretary… or are you still old Underbys under secretary, i can never quite figire that one out.” Mornington was his usual jovial self, glass of chivas in one hand, slim panatella cigar in his mouth.
“Whats the meaning of this! The entire Port is backlogged up for at least 5 days with all of your cargo ships, some of them coming from ITALY! Do you REALISE the amount of paperwork that has to go on for ships that have came from such a distance?!”
Mornington nodded…
“The port boys are working triple shifts just to keep up! Whose going to pay their overtime?!”
Mornington shrugged…
“As for the complaints from the other businesses! They cant get their deliveries in! I’ve had the Bakers Consortium come in and complain this morning! Who’s going to compensate them?!”
Mornington looked questioningly at the ceiling as if to give and answer.. then looked down at Dorchester… and shrugged…
“GAHHHHHHH!”
With that… Dorchester stormed out.
A few second later Mornington grinned and said out loud to no one in particular…
“You know… since the government offices went into chaos with the destruction of the old city hall… my life has been GREAT!”
You are a very naughty man.
Not even noon and Victor is already pounding the Chivas— that is the mark of success. Cheers!
Dr Falcon looked at the massive deliveries heading to Brunel Hall…
“Unit #6! Best get the aetheric klystrons warmed up! This may be a long night…”.
Woo! Good business for the Gangplank–where do you think those hard-working, salty-mouthed port workers go for food and drinks after their shifts? The Brunel?
Stoke those ovens, Kaylee! This may be a long night…
;-)
Oh Good news for Alley Cats as well then. I bet Baird is filling drinks left and right.