The next day, I awoke at dawn, just as I have the last eleven months...in exception to yesterday. Demitri was already awake, as was Hutser. Both had already eaten and turned to me for the events and assignments for the day.
Demitri I asked to keep interviewing maids, to keep with the system we had agreed on yesterday.
Hutser I asked to do what he can around the castle, probably to clean out the cooking supplies with some really hot water and a good scrub brush.
I would keep exchanging the backpacks for the cash to every jewelry store in the area.
After the brief meeting, we disbanded. Demitri flew with me until we reached town, but he went north, whereas I went south.
Finding a jewelry store in the second town was close to impossible. I asked every salesperson I came across and asked each the same question: Where can I find a jeweler's? And each answered the same "The closest one is in Manicam, the town north of us." And Manicam is the town that stands just down the hill from the castle.
After receiving the same ten answers, I moved on to a different city. This one was farther South and more to the West. I asked around and, again, no luck.
With each city, my hopes fell a little bit. Then, around three o'clock, I came to a city that prides itself on its self-mined jewels. As such, there were a million different jewelers.
I sold the two backpacks I had carried all day and headed for the castle, intending to drop the bags of cash off at the castle before going to help Demitri with the interviews.
As we had yesterday, we split the group of maids into two equal lines and continued our interviews from there.
I wrote down exactly five names and Demitri decided on three. So far, I have decided on thirteen maids and Demitri on about six. That's a grand total of nineteen maids working for two and a half dollars an hour.
After the maid interviews were done, we found a construction office building. Standing outside, the building looked too small for such a major industry.
"Okay, so what do we do, Sam?"
"I think we just walk in and order about a hundred guys for the castle. I saw my father do it when we had to rebuild the house after it was caught in a wildfire about ten years ago."
"Okay. Let's go, then. We don't have all day."
"Yes. Come on. This way." I said, already walking forward.
Inside, it was deceptively larger than it appeared from the view outside.
Straight ahead from the door was the main desk with several workspaces behind and to both sides. In the back, were a pair of elevators and a flight of stairs along one wall in the corner.
Focusing on the girl in the main desk, I stalked forward, trying to find my business voice.
"Hello. May I help you?" She asked, putting down her book as we drew closer to her.
"Actually, I need to hire your best one hundred workers."
"One hundred? Whatever for?"
"Restoration. Private knowledge, of course."
"Oh. Alright. How long do you think you will need them?"
"I don't know. The...thing to be restored is in very bad shape."
"Well, then I'm afraid..." She started to turn back to her book, picking it up and putting her feet back on the counter.
"Wait! Please. We'll pay them whatever you want, but it's crucial we get this project done." I pleaded, switching now to my puppy trick. No one can resist the puppy trick. My eyes get sad and downcast; my mouth becomes sad and desperate.
