(We met 4 times in quite unique circumstances. Of those 4 meetings, one was the most memorable. So unique that we decided to help each other out.)
(At that time, I held the lowest position and had been working for a year. I worked as a pest control officer.)
(Our first meeting...)
(July 24, Lowestoft, Suffolk)
(Happywood Hills Theme Park)
(Although Lowestoft is lush with trees, it doesn't mean the trees provide conventional shade. Summer remains hot, peaking at around 31 degrees Celsius.)
(Happywood Hills Theme Park is a family amusement park. The location is somewhat remote, but that doesn't diminish the buzz of the place.)
(On the vast grassy field, Alwen Howell, in the same red and blue uniform like other staffs, at 10 a.m., assisted by ticket reception staff, had just sprinkled some visitors waiting in line.)
(Her job was diverse, assisting other staff needs, but primarily accompanying the Happywood clown mascot to entertain visitors.)
(Miss Alwen Howell approached us. I and two colleagues undoubtedly became the center of attention for the queue-goers. Many children looked at us with cool outfits. Well, Hazmat suits do stand out.)
"Billy Marsh from Ghostic Pest Control Norwich. We're here at the request of Miss Lacey Davies to conduct pest monitoring and cleaning around the Happywood Hills Theme Park office."
(I handed her my business card.)
"Ghost-Pest exterminator from Norwich?"
(It was somewhat comical and off the mark indeed, the naming of my company. But according to the management, that's the selling point of Ghostic Pest Control.)
(Alwen Howell seemed serious at that time, and her face appeared to frown as if we were at the wrong address. Well, it was understandable.)
"Oh, I'm just kidding! Come this way, gentlemen!"
(Relieved to hear that, we entered through the queue, although there were glances behind us, but perhaps they were just confused rather than protesting the line cut.)
(We walked quite a long way, at least 10 minutes. But in those 10 minutes, I learned that Miss Alwen Howell was very communicative, friendly, and enthusiastic. Especially, her smile was like that of a woman proud of her child. Despite her super busy job as an amusement park employee.)
(There were about 4 types of roller coasters, and one of them stood out to be remembered, Wipeout. As the name suggests, passengers passing through it might get the sensation of being wiped clean due to its circular tracks.)
(By the way, some classic rides like the carousel, Ferris wheel, and even sea lion attractions. I just kept walking.)
(Rarely did my colleagues and I find a client or an assistant from the client who liked to chat. Most of them were to the point and not much talkative.)
(Miss Alwen Howell talked about her job in the amusement park, and although she often promoted it to us. Miss Alwen Howell said that holidays were generally busy days for her. The routines and inspections on rides were also quite strict. Even though the park opened at 10 a.m., staff were required to come two and a half hours before the opening for a rehearsal.)
(Unbeknownst to us, we finally arrived. Just by walking straight, we reached a small, simple two-room office.)
"I guess the office is right ahead, Miss Howell?"
"Well, yes. But this place is very important. According to Boss Davies, this place houses a lot of administrative stuff as well as meeting plans and others, you know."
"Hoho? Sounds quite spacious?"
"Well, not really. It's just a space for five employees and next to it, a small warehouse filled with papers."
(That's what Miss Howell said.)
(On the terrace of the simple office, I saw one person.)
(A man who seemed to be waiting. Apparently, he was a field worker like me. His right arm seemed to carry a bag that wasn't light at all. There were traces of oil on his left cheek, and it smelled like gasoline. Nick Gill, after we got acquainted. He said he was waiting for the boss who was talking to someone else.)
(Not long, about two minutes, a person came out of the black glass door that was only see-through from the inside.)
(A woman, neatly dressed in a chemical scent, similar to someone in my workplace, specifically in the Research and Development department. Subtly, this woman smelled of medicines.)
(A woman with long ombre black-blue-green hair, wearing formal clothes, also pharmatic-like aroma. She greeted all of us with a simple bow and closed her eyes for a moment before sitting on the terrace. She was Eira Voyles. A less social person and quieter to express her thoughts.)
(I and my two colleagues were then directed by Miss Howell to enter the room. We took off the hazmat mask with filter-bearing snouts and almost square helmets.)
"Ah, please, come in!"
(Miss Lacey Davies, a middle-aged woman, got up from her desk and opened the refrigerator behind her. There were several drink options. It seemed this person knew how to be a good host.)
"What would you like to drink?"
(We didn't expect it before. But it's useless to refuse a gift. I chose ginger ale, while my two colleagues are orange juice, because they had no other choice, ended up with three cans.)
(Well, in the end, it became four cans because Miss Howell was also counted. The sound of the can lids being opened, for some reason, signaled the start of our discussion. A small, simple meeting.)
"I'll get straight to the point, gentlemen. It's time for the opening. One ride, the Ferris Wheel, for heaven knows how long, will not be opened. Then, we have three clinic stations, two of them have temporarily ceased operations. The clinic that is operational is in the middle section, and well, until people sooner or later will protest,"
(Lacey Davies, an owner and manager at Happywood Hills Theme Park. Even though she was in her 50s, this woman seemed very knowledgeable about the dire situation of the amusement park she managed. Through our first conversation, we knew that she was not an ordinary person. In terms of knowledge and abilities, as well as her commendable attitude. I began to respect this lady.)
"Have you informed any mechanics about the ride malfunction? It's not our expertise, Miss Davies."
"If you saw the two people on the terrace before, that's your answer. I always look for the best people to take care of this amusement park. This park was left by my late father, filled with memories that I can't just erase. This job requires coordination and collaboration from great people that I choose."
(Miss Davies folded both of her hands on the table and rested her chin on them, staring at us without blinking.)
(Miss Davies stated rather firmly that the Ferris Wheel ride seemed to have suffered extensive damage to its cables. The cause wasn't just mice, there was a high likelihood of large yellow hornets, or yellow jacket hornets. These large hornets were not honey bees but predators that posed a threat not only to honey bees but to other creatures as well.)
ns 15.158.61.12da2
