Visibly nervous when he was finished, Mark took a sip of his coffee before Jules replied by saying 'That's about what I figured. You DO know more than you think you do, at least, about the stuff that matters to*me*. I can use you, to start, as general office help.
That means that you'll spend a lot of time filling out forms and learning the trade from THIS end of things. But I expect you to learn the rest of it too – why us architects do what we do, and what all is involved in creating the plans that you guys work from. And you'll be going out on jobs with me. You'll be the only one in here that's seen this stuff from the other side, so you know what we*really* need to watch for. You're going to be spending a lot of time getting 'book learning'; but with what you already know, I don't think you'll have much trouble with it. I can start you at fifteen hundred a month; you'll go up from there as fast as you can learn, okay?'
Mark could only sit there staring for a few moments before remembering to nod his head in agreement.
Jules asked him 'When can you start? You got a place to stay? You need wheels or anything?'
Mark opened his mouth to answer, but I was ready for the questions, telling Jules 'Yeah, he's got a place to stay. He'll be picking up his wheels this afternoon. He can start whenever it's convenient for you.'
Jules laughed, and said 'Convenient for me was three months ago, but tomorrow will do.'
Looking over at Mark, who was staring at me, Jules asked 'You didn't know, did you? That you had a place to stay, or a car?'
Mark just shook his head, his eyes never leaving me.
Jules laughed again, and said 'It's okay. He does shit like that.
I'll bet he didn't tell you that I pretty much owe him my life, did he?'
That got Marks attention, and he turned back to listen as Jules told him 'I used to drive helicopters. One of 'em decided 'fuck it, I don't wanna fly no more', and down she goes in a place where the folks on the ground aren't too friendly. I'm thinking, okay, now I'm seriously fucked; what I didn't know that Uncle Sam, he sent this son of a bitch to bail me out. It got some kinda interesting, but this guy and some of his buddies, they brought me back, all safe and sound – not even a*scratch* on me. If it wasn't for them – HIM – I'd probably be worm chow someplace.'
Jules went on, saying 'He said he thought all you needed was a chance, and asked me to have a look. He was right – he usually is – and now I've got somebody that I could have used three, four months ago. Listen, don't sweat it. He helps people he figures deserve the HELP. He don't do shit for anyone he figures is just looking to suck tit. Me, I can see that you've had a hard time – the way you walk, I can see you got hurt pretty bad. But you showed up here in the best you got, ready to give it your best shot. You didn't try to bullshit me, and that counts for a LOT with me. When my shit was weak, he helped me out – well, truth be told, he saved my ass. Now, with you, he's doing it again. Damned if I know how many else there are, or will be. But he did me a good turn, and now I pay him back by doing a good turn for somebody else. I expect you'll do the same thing, when you get a chance. That's how it works with him – help somebody, and have them pass it along when they can. It don't matter how much money you spend on it; all that counts is that you give it your BEST. He trusts people to be honest enough to know when they're doing that – and from what I've seen, he's a pretty good judge of who to help. So take his help, get yourself going again, and when the time comes, do your part for someone else.'
Mark nodded to him, then turned to look at me again. I just told him 'That's the deal I offered you in the park, right?'
He nodded, and said 'Thanks isn't enough, but it's all I have to offer right now. But when I can, I'll pay the next person, with interest.'
'That's all I ask', I told him.
Jules just sat there, a big shit-eating grin on his face when he told Mark 'Great. I'll see you in the morning, eight o'clock. We usually work weekdays, eight to five, hour lunch. We've got a breakroom with a microwave and fridge if you want to bring your lunch. What you're wearing will do until payday – tenth and twenty-fifth, to beat the bank crowds; after that, I'll expect to see you dressed like the rest of us – casual, but professional, right?'
Mark voiced his understanding, and stood up when I did. Jules got up and led us to an office where he told the woman behind the desk 'Shirley, this is Mark Sellers. He's starting tomorrow, so if you could have the paperwork ready for him in the morning, I'd appreciate it. He's starting at fifteen hundred a month, salaried. If he needs an advance on salary, he's good to half a month, repaid over six paychecks. Anything else, just ask me or him, right?'
Shirley nodded her understanding, and Jules left us with her. She turned to Mark and asked him for the information she'd need to get him started. She also gave him an employment application to fill out and return the next morning. She was polite and friendly the whole time, even when she asked if he needed an advance. Mark looked at me, and I shook my head 'no', which was the answer he gave her. When she had all the information she needed, she welcomed him to the company, and asked if we needed to see Jules again. I told her that I didn't think so, and she showed us the way out.
Back outside, I could see that Mark was stunned at the change in his circumstances. Back in the car, I asked where he'd stayed the night before. He gave me the name of a place, and then directed me to it – a run-down hotel that rented rooms for just a few dollars a night. He explained that he'd stayed there the night before so he could have a secure place to keep his stuff while he got cleaned up. I assured him that he'd done the right thing, and he went in to collect his things – coming back out with a worn knapsack and a couple of small trashbags. From the hotel, we headed to the apartment I'd gotten for him; his eyes got big when I handed him the key, and he realized it was HIS. He quickly put his stuff away, and quickly memorized his phone number when I told him that he had phone service; when the couple that owned it came out, I introduced them to each other. The old man and woman welcomed him, saying that he must be the friend I'd rented the place for the previous day. After they'd gotten to know each other a little, I explained that we still had a few errands to run, but that he'd be back in a little while. Both welcomed him again, before heading into their house to let us get on our way.
The next stop was the college, where we got Mark signed up for some beginning courses he could take in the evenings. We only did a couple of classes, so that all his time wouldn't be taken up – I understood the importance of having 'down' time too well. I paid his admission and tuition fees, then we made a stop at the bookstore to get his textbooks and other supplies.
From there, it was off to pick up his car. The lady was waiting for us, her husband having headed off to his job. She had the title ready, and invited us in for a cup of coffee and a slice of pie, which we both accepted. When we'd finished, she patted Mark on the hand, and told him 'Young man, I think Mr. Andrews here was right. I know you had some hard times, but I think you're going to do just fine. I can see you're a hardworking man, and I'm sure my husband will be glad to know we were able to help you get going again.'
Mark thanked her, and she gave both of us a peck on the cheek by way of a goodbye. Outside, I told Mark that I'd had to tell them why I was buying their car after they found out who I was. He nodded his understanding, and thanked me. I handed him the keys to the car, and the paperwork the insurance company had faxed to me. He got in and started it up. I told him that the first six months insurance were paid for, and that it had a full tank of gas. I went on to tell him that I knew it wasn't fancy, and he answered that all he needed was a reliable way to get around, and that this would do just fine – trying to hide the tears in his eyes.
He followed me back to the hotel, and waited patiently in the lobby while I went up to get Lucy and the girls. When I told them who was waiting to have supper with us, they quickly got ready, and the four of us headed back downstairs. When we got off the elevator, Lucy whispered to me 'I remember what he looked like in the park. That's quite a change in him, Dan.'
I whispered back 'Yeah, amazing what a little dose of self-respect and a little good luck will do, isn't it?'
'I don't think luck has much to do with it, at all – I think it was you, more than anything else.' She answered.
When we got close, I introduced them to each other, and the five of us headed for the hotel restaurant. As we started in, Lucy could see that Mark was nervous, and I heard her whisper to him 'It's okay, Mark. We'll show you what to do', calming him considerably. When we'd been shown a table, Robyn and Sandra didn't hesitate to sit next to him, making conversation with him as though he was somebody they simply hadn't seen for a long time. With the realization that he was a welcome guest, he relaxed considerably, though he was careful to watch what the rest of us did, and follow our lead.
When the meal was over, he helped Sandra, then Robyn, with their chairs as I did with Lucy. The five of us left the restaurant, and back out in the lobby, he told me 'Mr. Andrews, I want to thank you.
