Roleplaying
2004 Archive
2005 Archive
Seminars
| When: | 7 April 2005 |
| Who: | Kacela, Nicodemus, Sandra |
| What: | Interviews for social worker positions to aid DuPont workers allows two sides to draw closer in their attempts to size each other up. |
Dupont Chemical
The look of Dupont Chemical is exactly that of the Chemical Plant from the first Batman Movie. The piping stretching from building to building, weaving inside the buildings, and up to the massive smoke stacks; the chemical plant is a maze of piping, vents, and corridors.
Within the Dupont compound, away from the smoke stacks and the hazard signs, the main office building is where employees go to take their meals, pick up their pay cheques, and clock out. Today, on the top floor, interviews are also being held. Not for any engineers or supervisors, but for caseworkers willing to manage the low level technicians. There is a general waiting area, where secretaries process applicants and then send them into a small, dimly lit boardroom where owner, Nicholas Lyman, and the plant manager await.
Sandra is standing, talking to some of the other applicants...actually, she seems to be doing more listening to their opinions of the position, occassionally nudging them into giving more information with a quiet question or two. She keeps an eye on the door for her turn to be up, but keeps most of her attention with the small group she's gathered into a chatty circle.
The door to the boardroom opens, a greying man, obviously the plant manager, holding it for the departing applicant. "We'll be in touch in the next few days," he calls after a young woman that has the look of a fresh, university graduate. "Thank you," she chimes, smiling that please hire me smile, before starting off through the waiting area. The plant manager lingers with the doorknob in his hand, eyes trailing off after the young woman, or more specifically, her legs. That is until he gets smouldering glare from one of the secretaries...as well as a call from within the boardroom. It is the even voice of Nicholas Lyman, "Go home to your wife. I can handle the rest from here." The plant manager snaps back inside with a smile, "I'll call it a day, but go home...to her...don't bet on it." Laughter fills the boardroom until the manager starts out, eyes a sheet of paper, and calls out, "Sandra Rivers?"
Sandra looks up as her name is called, and raises a hand to show she heard. She says quick goodbyes to the rest of the circle, exchanges a couple of telephone numbers, and then extracts herself from the group, walking briskly to the manager. "I'm she." She looks beyond him to the dimly-lit boardroom.
The plant manager directs Sandra toward the boardroom with a nod, as he adjusts his suit jacket and checks the time. "Mr. Lyman will be conducting your interview," he says with a very generic smile, before collecting his briefcase and marching out of the office. Inside, Sandra will find that Lyman is waiting at the head of the boardroom table, one arm propped up against the arm of his chair as his fingers stroke his chin in contemplation.
Sandra nods. "Have a good night," she murmurs to the manager as he marches. She slips into the boardroom, grimacing faintly at the low lighting. She nods politely to the man at the head of the table, and stands behind whatever seat seems to be have used by the other interviewees, taking the opportunity to study Lyman with dark and curious eyes.
At the far end of the room, slouched comfortably in his leather chair, Lyman follows the applicant to her seat with his piercing blue eyes. They reflect the same weighty stare that Sandra offers, until softening somewhat. "Sandra?" Lyman asks warmly, purring like a lion must after a satisfying meal, "Welcome. If you could just tell me a little about yourself and why you're interested in pursuing social work...or case work...here at Dupont Chemical?"
"Not in your lifetime," Kacela mutters to someone outside the doorway, "OR several others." At that point, she actually settles herself in the chairs with the other interviewees, practically simpering at them for a few minutes before she flicks up a magazine to flip through some article or other on nail or hair care, who was really paying attention? She hmms some, and then not even a minute later, stands, and with eyes upon her from the others in ways that couldn't have been accomplished if she had just walked straight to the board room door, Kacela extends a hand to palm it open, and slyly glance in towards the pair within. A steely glance is cast toward Sandra, but she keeps her silence, and fully emerges in the room, the door clicking shut behind her. At that point, she cruises past Sandra's back to place her in the far corner of the room, still behind Sandra, and peering towards Lyman.
Sandra remains standing for the moment, tapping her foot as she considers the answer. "It seems, from what I understand of the situation, that the workers feel that their needs are not being met by the management. I don't approve of the sort of violence that went on..." a glance at Kacela, and she stops talking long enough to follow the woman with her eyes, even though it requires the rudeness of taking her attention away from Lyman. Once Kacela stops moving, she turns back and continues, "...a few weeks ago. I am very interested in stopping anything of the sort from happening again, Mr. Lyman. I think a dedicated social worker is at least partially what the workers need to help, and I am nothing if not dedicated."
With Sandra's talk of violence and miss management, Lyman's eyes flare with an energy that could be good humour. Indeed, he is pleasantly surprise at Sandra's keen intuition, but her presumption is outrageous. Though he suddenly feels the need to defend himself, Lyman manages to hold his reaction to a mild chuckle. He takes a detour around the topic of the riot. "Where are my manners?" he asks, gesturing first to Kacela, "This is Ms. Kacela Howard, she will be supervising the changes I hope to make here at Dupont." The hand that hangs in the air then moves to the jugs of water and ice in the centre of the table, "Would you like anything to drink? Either of you?" At that, a smirk quickly flashes and the hand settles, pointing a finger to a glossy wooden cabinet nearby, "If you'd like something stronger, you know where to find it." Leaving each to make their selection, Lyman's voice suppresses its warmth and amusement, "Yes, the riot was unfortunate. It was no intention of mine to be cornered by an angry mob, I assure you. But, yes...the more and more I hear about the troubles of today's workers, I feel that the need good direction, proper human resource representatives...case workers...to help them find direction and put their lives together, particularly in the lower level positions."
The discussion about supervising hangs in the air for a moment, Kacela shooting a mild glance to Nicodemus. She keeps her silence for now, although she does raise a hand and incline her head, although whether it's a show of professional modesty, or her shooing away the introduction because the name was already known to Sandra is unclear. An almost pitying glance is cast at the water bearing containers. However, at Lyman's gesture, she leisurely slinks over to the counter, circling around his seat, "Why thank you, Nicholas." Another speculative glance is cast towards Sandra's position. "And just how much experience did you have before coming to Austin?" She pulls out a rocks glass, and busies herself mixing apple pucker and midori sour into a very green mixture, likely a personally-imposed addition to the cache.
"We've met, Mr. Lyman," Sandra volunteers, easily enough. She smiles thinly in Kacela's direction. "And thank you for the hospitable offer, but I'd rather not drink." A faint chuckle as her fingertips tap a rhythm on the back of the chair. "Interviews are rather nervewracking, and I wouldn't wish to spill," she admits. "As to my experience, I have a Master's in Social Work from the University of Texas, and have been practicing, in Houston, for seven years previous to my move here. My record is excellent," she says, without false humility. "If I may return a question for a question...what responsibilities, exactly, would the job entail? Are you looking for any particular qualifications?"
"Oh, then perhaps it is fate," Lyman says to Sandra, spinning slowly in his chair to catch the questioning glance from the woman in question. He returns the look with a soothing expression, his brows dropping together as he seems to nod...I know, I know. Turning back to regard Sandra, Lyman settles to absorb her story, interrupting onto to glance quickly at Kacela and the liquor cabinet, "Oh, you're very welcome." With that, he folds his hands together on the boardroom table as he answer's Sandra's question, "In essence, I'm looking for a happier, healthier workplace. Employees that are happy at work and happy at home. A closer relationship with management...a better knowledge of who they are..."
Kacela gives a shrug of shoulders, and admits, "It was a surprise to me as well. Not what many would consider typical business practice. Slightly higher wages with higher turnover would be less expensive then bringing on a new set of workers not directly associated with chemical engineering," Kacela breathes out before taking a draught of the tart mixture. She seats herself on the boardroom table edge, half an arm's length away from Lyman. "It's certainly enough of a caseload to keep more than one person busy, and I'll admit my personal experience rotates more around family violence. Good press, I guess," she finally decides, crossing legs while leaning backwards on one palm. "And well, in order to find out how to make them happier, we first need to find out just what..." She trails off, a significant glance cast towards Lyman, "Makes them unhappy. Certainly can't have a plant full of people on the verge of acting like they work for the post office, after all."
Sandra watches the interplay between Lyman and Kacela with interest, her right eyebrow twitching upwards. She smiles widely at the two's stated goals, right up until the post office remark. A confused look settles over her face as she tries to work out the logic, before dismissing it. She says, "It sounds like a good start. Perhaps an anonymous survey outlining the workers' grievances, and then you could rank them by what you can do and the number of workers who find it to be a problem. I find that even fixing a small part of the problem will improve people's spirits, as long as it's something that matters to them." One hand comes up to fiddle with her right-hand braid as she thinks about the issues.
Lyman's head sways from one side to the other as he considers what Kacela's point, "The problem is that the low level workers are the ones left to do the more monotonous, unfulfilling tasks. They're also subject to different engineers who design projects, approved by management, that they do not necessarily get credit for." Then, at Sandra's suggestion of the survey, Lyman perks up, "Now, there is a possibility." Still, he quickly settles back again, suggesting there was no real enthusiasm in the idea to begin with, "Perhaps, a number of surveys would be required. Like I said, I would like our administration to know where theses people are coming from."
Kacela seems pleased at the relative furor she creates with the postal comment, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have made light of it. But if they hav shown such agression already, I really must wonder how much longer before worse is to come. It's tempting to suggest that the workers are being selfish, considering that the work environment is safe, the income reliable, but..." She inclines her head toward Lyman, "Maybe even a family baseball league in time. But for now, the basics." She inclines her head towards Sandra's suggestion, as if granting approval, whether it was truly needed or not.
Sandra just shakes her head slightly to Kacela's apology. She taps more quickly on the back of the chair, watching the two of them. "I would suggest, Mr. Lyman, that the more surveys you give out, the fewer will be returned, and the less accurate the information. People don't like paperwork very much. Although it sounds like you have at least a good starting grasp of their concerns." She actually sounds approving about that. "If you're interested in acknowledging their contributions as individuals, it could be a great motivator. How, exactly, is your employee structure organized? Management, engineers in charge of work groups, workers?"
Taking everything in, Lyman turns between the women, nodding slowly at each point. That is until he looks down at his watch, "Ms. Rivers, I apologize, we've gone a bit astray." He smiles thinly, "You don't have the job quite yet. We still have other applicants to interview. We'll be in touch, certainly."
Despite her prior dealings with Sandra, Kacela seems about as effusive as her demeanor allows. "Probably one of the best I've heard come through," she states toward Lyman without looking his way. "I'd say you have a good chance," she adds, "The tangents were inevitable with such a captivating party."
Sandra sighs, just a bit, her shoulders dropping a fraction of an inch. "Of course, Mr. Lyman. Thank you for your time, and your hospitality." Her voice holds a hint of humor as she inclines her head at Kacela. "And your kindness. I hope to speak to you both again, at some time. Do take care." She bows slightly to Mr. Lyman, then turns and heads for the door.
Kacela seems reluctant to slip off the tabletop as the group breaks up, and then slinks toward the doorway. She rests one shoulder against the doorway, humming lightly to herself. The expression of a restrained predator flashes across her face briefly, like dogs straining at their leashes.
Sandra smiles brightly at Kacela as she reaches to open the door. "I'm sorry, Ms. Howard, was there anything else?"
Kacela seems quite relaxed during the exchange, and casually states, "No, not at all. A pleasant surprise to see you here, is all." A furtive glance is cast towards the boardroom, her expression shifting from the hunter to the hunted for a brief moment. However, it passes, and with an upward quirk of her mouth's left corner, she murmurs, "Perhaps we can give you a floor tour during the normal work hours." A slender hand is raised in farewell, but it seems that she's intent upon lingering near the industrialist.
Sandra nods to Kacela. "I would be interested in such a thing," she allows, and her eyes linger on Kacela's face. "If you should wish to speak to me, I'm certain our offices can connect us for lunch or something. Not Fado's," she adds, with a quirk of the lips to answer Kacela's own. Then she opens the door, and heads out into the group of hopefuls once again.
"I would prefer to avoid another jaunt out into traffic after being singled out by the owner, despite the challenge his particular brand of charm provides." Another equally thin smile is sent Sandra's way, her own eyes fearless.
Sandra pauses just long enough to listen and chuckle, then shaking her head, she continues on and away.
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