He: “You’ll be late for 28. The boss expects you to get that electricity flowing. What are you doing here?”
She: “You never quit, questions, questions. I’m not going to 28 this afternoon. The boss knows I’m going away. There!”
He: “Look, no need to get snippy. I was just wondering.”
She: “Yes, always wondering, pestering me. If you need to know, I’m driving to Midland.”
He: “You from there? You never said.”
She: “You never asked. You’re like the rest of the wind guys, all messed up.”
He: “That’s a big assumption. You never gave me a chance to take you to that steak joint about halfway to Midland, just to talk, just to get away from this lousy motel-cafe where the company sticks us.”
She: “And you won’t get that chance, but if you are dying to know, the company’s deal with me was to have half of every fourth Friday off, if I got back by late Sunday. What’s more, anyone with a brain, you guys and the boss, could get the juice flowing off 28, and even get onto 29. when I get back, I doubt if anything will have happened.”
He – “You’re sure encouraging.”
She – “Look if my husband hadn’t lost his bio-tech job in Dallas, I would have kept mine in Dallas, normal engineering, inside, no wind, no heat and no one staring, pestering.”
He – “Keep it up. Always on edge. I’m not like the other guys, and you’ve never given me a chance to prove it.”
She – “Another line, if you don’t mind me saying so, another line.”
He – “Damn, can’t win even a kind word.”
She – “Look, I’m not stupid. I know how the guys talk, how they stare when I’m on the platform. Don’t mind if I have another cigarette, do you?”
He – “No, I’m waiting for Martin. He went for an oil change, and the boss told us that I could ride back with him. He’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”
She – “Was wondering why you were still here. Now, I know.”
He – “So you think about us, too!”
She – “Not much! Not much! But I did notice that you stayed behind when the others left.”
He – “That’s encouraging.”
She – “You’re lame, really! But since I told you why I have to be here, why you?”
He – “I was an actuary, and decided to go to vocational school.”
She – “A little odd, at your age, if you don’t mind my comment.”
He – “No. So I went. My wife and kids had left long before, and here I am, on wind turbine platforms. I like the wind and heat, and most of all, the wrenches.”
She – “That the truth?”
He – “It is.”
She – “Look, the crew cab is back. You better go. Actually it was an OK talk, without your pals around.”
He – “Liked it, too. So maybe I could meet you at the steak place when you are driving back Sunday.”
She – “See, you push and push. No, you can’t.”
He – “A bad idea, maybe later next week.”
She – “A maybe, a big maybe. Meanwhile, go see if you can figure out 28. If not, and next week’s heat is supposed to be worse, we’ll all be on 28, and then have extra work because we’re behind. We’ll see how more heat and wind and heavier wrenches suit you, Mr. Odd Man.”
He – “That’ll be hard. Drive carefully. Thanks for the backhanded compliment.”
She – “Go, Martin’s blowing the horn. Those might be the kindest words you’ll ever hear from me.”
He – “Bye, and you’ll scream but I paid.”
She – “What a jerk, though thanks. It’ll cover my gas!”
He – “See some use I am!”
She – “A little, about as little as an ant as seen from the platform!”
He – “Good line. Bye, again.”
She – “Save the words. Martin is anxious to get back, knowing how upset the boss would be. I’m surprised he let him go on lunch break.”
He – “I was, too; maybe he was afraid that a blown engine would be worse than some killed minutes.”
