© 1997 Derrick, M. Water Hole Custom Leather Inc. This manuscript can not be published in any form or by any medium with out written consent from the author(s)
The next day, Michael made sure he was at the gate by 8:00 am. He went to the guard register and to get his list. The guard checked Michael's ID, noted the time he arrived, and handed him an envelope. He also told Michael where he was to park. Michael drove in the gate and went around the building to the parking area. He was amazed at the grounds. They were perfect -- not a flaw to be found.
He parked and opened up the envelope. It had every thing he needed to know. It had a map of where the work area was and what was to be done. There also was a note reminding him that he should not ask the employees any questions. However, he could answer a question if he was approached and asked. He walked over to the designated work area and took a look at the job. The first one was to put in a new stair case, leading up to the second floor on one of the barns in the back. The old one was already taken down. He went and got his tools, put these in a wheel barrel, and then wheeled over to the site. All the necessary materials were there, along with a blue print, illustrating how the stair case was to be constructed.
He took off his shirt and got started.
Michael was not totally sure of how to build a stair case, so he really had to focus in on the work. But still, his mind roved at times -- especially when he heard noises that did not appear to belong on a ranch of this nature. Was that a man moaning? Was that a whip being used in a stall, rather than on the riding trail?
But he could not let his mind wander. He did not want to make any further mistakes. He wanted to be evaluated positively, so that this might turn into full time employment.
What was that -- why was that woman dressed that way -- in a harness? No -- it must be the way the sun fell upon her body. Yes. He rubbed his eyes, and looked again. She was gone. He was sure it was just his over zealous imagination.
The day was getting hot, and Michael was thirsty. He looked around for a hose or a sink, but he could not find one. God, he was thirsty, though. He saw a horse trough filled with water, and it looked very clean -- amazingly so, in fact. So he went to this place and took a long cool drink -- cupping his hands to bring the water to his mouth. Then, he cupped more water and splashed it on his body -- he was so hot, and this felt so good. As he turned around to return to work, he was startled to see the Lady standing close by, just watching him, with a dressage whip in her hand.
Michael blushed with embarrassment.
"Thirsty, my dear Michael?"
All he could muster was "yes".
"And did anyone give you permission to drink from the horse trough ... or to use the water that my horses drink to cleanse yourself?"
"No", Michael said quickly, although not understanding the big deal here.
"My horses and ponies are very special, and you may have contaminated their drinking water. I need you to stop your work on the stair case now and cleanse the trough thoroughly. Then fill it -- with buckets -- from the spring down the hill there". She pointed to a spring that was quite far away from the trough itself.
"But ..." Michael began to say. However, seeing her sternness, he decided it was best to hold his tongue at this point. Maybe it would make sense later.
So he began to do what was asked of him -- very conscious that the Lady was watching him -- while also going about her other business. Very often he would feel her eyes upon him.
Once the trough was clean, Michael took two buckets and headed for the spring. He was met by a woman dressed in black riding pants and boots -- gloves -- and carrying a whip.
"The owner suggests that you use the cart next to the buckets -- so that you can take all 10 buckets with you -- and hence get the job done faster. There is a waist harness next to the cart so that you can pull it up the hill with ease."
She then turned on her heels and left.
Michael wondered if this could really work, and decided to give it a try. He put the buckets in the cart -- along with the waist harness -- and carried it like a wheel barrel down the hill. Once he filled all the buckets, he tried to bring the carriage up like a wheel barrel, but it was indeed too heavy. As such, he decided to use the waist harness, and, to his surprise, it did work excellently! Much more to his surprise however was the strange feeling he had while doing this -- he liked it -- he was drawn to it -- he was excited by it. None of this made sense to him -- not at all.
As he got to the top of the hill, there was the Lady. He had walked up the hill with his head down, bent forward a little, so he did not see her until he got to the very crest of the hill. Her presence really startled him.
The Lady came over to him and tapped him several times on his head.
"Good work, Michael. Next time, however, you may want to keep your back straight and your head up. Not only would it make the job a lot easier, but you would be much more pleasing to look at."
And with this, she turned back to her work.
"Next time? Pleasing?" God, was Michael confused. And he knew his questions would have to wait.
So he made two more trips to the spring, returning using the posture suggested by the Lady. Then he went back to work on the stair case. While he was quite behind, he was feeling a bit more confident now. Perhaps he would stay a bit later to make up for lost time.
It was very hard finishing the stairs, as all he could think
about was getting the water and how he had to pull a cart like
a regular horse. He still felt as though all eyes were upon him
as he worked. However, when he would turn to look about, he saw
nothing. It was now past 5:00, but he only had a few final touches
on the railings, so he decided to just finish it up. After the
job was done, he took a quick look at it and was satisfied that
he had done a good job. He wheeled his tools back to the truck
and got a broom and rake and went back to clean up.
Michael heard noises again, but could not tell exactly what these
were. He filled the wheel barrel with the cuttings so that the
work area would be as clean as when he arrived. He was walking
to the dumpster on the other side of the barn when he thought
he saw the girl in harness again -- this time pulling a sulky
around the track. He stood staring -- totally motionless -- he
was mesmerized by this sight. She was gorgeous! So sleek and cut
and fine! Then he heard something behind him and he jumped and,
startled, continue to the dumpster. He turned behind him as he
started to walk, but no one was there. Then he turned back to
the track, but could not make out who was there, as the figures
had moved to the far side. So Michael finished dumping the cuttings
and made it back to his truck.
Michael was indeed tired. It was now 7:00 pm . He did notice that there was a note on his window. He picked it up to read:
"Do not open this until you get back to your room on this evening."
He was so tired, he did not even think of it, putting it in his shirt pocket. As he drove past the guard, they waved to one another, and the guard remarked "Boy you look tired. Get some rest, and see you in the morning."
Michael got back to the tack shop. The owner was a bit upset
because Michael was later than his boss had figured. Michael told
him about what happened, and how he had to take time out to clean
the trough. The boss just smiled and said " well you can
clean up the store before you go to bed." Then he turned
and laughed as he walked away.
Michael went to get the broom and was wondering what this man
knew that he was not yet privy to. As he was sweeping the floor,
his mind raced through the sounds and sights he had seen this
day. These sensations were so different, he could not even imagine
what these all could mean.
Finally he finished up. It was now close to 11:00 pm. He took
a shower and got into bed. Then, just before he nodded off, he
remembered the note.. Shit, I almost forgot, he thought. He took
the note and began to read it. The letter said:
"Michael - I had many people evaluating YOU this day. I wonder how many you noticed? All in all, you were graded as average, but promising. Do not feel bad. On my ranch, and in my restaurant, this is considered a fine beginning. We will -- over the next few weeks -- judge if you have the potential we need, and, if you seem like a good investment risk, we will determine issues like compensation and lodgings. It all depends on if our investment in you will result in a fine product.
Tomorrow, all those who observed you at the restaurant and today at work will sit down to complete a comprehensive evaluation of you -- not your work -- but you. This evaluation will occur at 4:00 am. If you are interested in knowing how you are evaluated, I recommend that you come to watch the show. However, this is not a requirement -- just a suggestion.
Some of my Trainers noted that you worked overtime. It is a shame you did not take the offer I gave you -- that you did not seek me out to ask a question about this. You would then have made a deal with me about overtime work. Seeing you did not initiate contact -- at a time I was available -- I will not be able to pay you this overtime. This would be counter to the rules of the ranch and the restaurant. Next time I hope you will seek me out.
Finally, Michael, I was surprised that you did not ask where you -- as a human -- could water and feed yourself. It makes me wonder if you imagine that you will be able to use the horses' watering trough again. Please, Michael, do not assume you deserve the care and nurturance that my horses and ponies receive -- after all - you are only human. Seeing you did not ask where humans water and feed, I do suggest that you pack your own meals until you find me to ask me this question, or until you figure it out on your own.
I am glad you have decided to join me Michael, and hope you enjoyed your first day. In our talks, you taught me a great deal about how to tell a promising product from one without such promise. I want you to know that I took all you taught me to heart as I watched you on my ranch.
See you tomorrow.
Michael was more confused then ever. What did all of this mean?
Why did he feel so excited? Why couldn't he sleep?
I wish I understood more, he was telling himself. I could not talk to anyone, but was supposed to ask for where to drink. I put in extra hours -- not for the money -- but to make up for the time lost filling the water trough. There was no way the stairs could be left with out a railing -- that was not safe. As he laid there on the bed, something told him to stay away in the morning, but an inner drive said that he had to be there, even if curiosity killed the cat.