Renovations
MOTE Prompt Response
Xander watched as the contractor read through the proposed plans Xander had put together the night before. He knew it was an almost impossible task, but Quill had assured him the contractor, Tyrell Johnson, was the best in Hidden Shores, and for some reason, between jobs for at least a month. Quill had insisted Xander call Tyrell for the pub kitchen renovation.
Tyrell looked up from the contract and stared at Xander. “You need how much done? By when? And the budget isn’t noted here… that’s fairly important for something like this.”
Xander gave the contractor a sheepish grin. “I know it’s a huge project, but I’ve been assured you are the best in the area. My budget is… big, and includes a bonus for you and your crew if you can get this done on the timeline I need. The demo is done. I did that over the last, um, month or so.” What he didn’t mention was that the demo had been done mostly by Quill using magic. The demo had taken less than a day.
“These are some pretty high end appliances you’ve got here, too,” Tyrell said, glancing back down to the contract in his hands. “It’s going to take a couple weeks for any of those to arrive, even if I put a rush order on them.”
“Well, then, you will have an easier time doing the walls and floors, right? And I know the walk-in needs an interior refurb and new shelving. So, there’s that,” Xander didn’t let up. He needed the kitchen to be fully functioning in three weeks so he could start hiring a chef and line cooks. He wanted to open the pub before the summer tourist season started. Quill was adamant they hit that opening, not just because of the potential for a high-earning start for the reopening, but also so Xander had the time to get used to actually running the pub in practice, as opposed to just thinking about it, and at the same time, get used to his new magical skills.
Xander had been dubious about the magical skills thing, but Quill insisted he had the ability. In the end, Xander had shrugged, called Tyrell, and now waited with bated breath for the contractor to accept the job. There really was no Plan B, so if Tyrell decided not to take the job, Xander would be scrambling.
Don’t worry, he’ll take the job. Quill’s voice sounded in Xander’s head.
How do you know? He’s clearly thinking I’m crazy with this timeline.
Yes, he is. Doesn’t mean he won’t take the job. Trust me.
Tyrell carefully shuffled the papers together, putting the big clip back on to hold them all together. He ran one hand across his tightly curled hair and sighed. His brown eyes were speculative when he finally looked back up at Xander.
“All right, Xander. I’ll do this. I’ll order the appliances today, with your approval. I know you said you did the demo, but I’ll bring my crew in tomorrow and we’ll clean things up and start taking measurements, doing initial layouts, talk flooring, vents, all that. I need to see the space today so I can give you as accurate an estimate as possible.”
Xander rubbed his hands together. “Excellent! Thank you very much, Tyrell. I’m looking forward to this project.”
Tyrell grinned and held out his hand. “I am too, actually. It’ll be a challenge.”
Quill got in the last word. Told you so.
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Just a quick glimpse into the practical side of reopening a pub with a dragon. This week my prompt challenge was issued by Leigh Kimmel: You need *how much* done? By *when*? As always, there are plenty more for your reading enjoyment over at More Odds Than Ends.