Felix followed his visitor out of the ‘‘hostel’’ and in to the streets. It was dark out.
Tayrell sighed with relief.
’‘Aaaaaah, much better! The Niirai believe all business should be discussed outdoors with the gods as witnesses. There is some wisdom in that, wouldn’t you agree?’’ he babbled as he reached for his bag and pulled out a bunch of papers clipped together.
‘‘I am here on behalf of the Yotanna Development Co. your new employer, which will cover all of your living expenses here, as well as provide you with a modest start up salary. As you work and your knowledge and experience grow, you may achieve a promotion, in which case you will be provided a more favourable work place in combination with a better pay.’’
‘‘Your rights are as standard law dictates: You can refuse any task assigned to you if you feel it endangers your well being. You can ask to be relocated if you feel uncomfortable with your co-workers, due to harassment, continued insults or other such activities. You have 3 brakes every day in your 8 hour shift, 1 of them being your company-paid lunch which lasts half an hour and is scheduled after the first 4 hours of your shift, which means in the middle, and the other two you take at your discretion and last 15 minutes. All brakes are taken outside of the workplace to avoid cluttering and to keep things tidy. You will be provided a pass which you stamp when you leave and enter, which means we will know exactly when you come in, and when you go out, and for how long you are gone.’’
‘‘The state’s unemployment board has assured us your cooperation on your behalf, and you shall receive all this, as well as health insurance, on the company’s expense. Should you cease cooperating, or quit work outright, we cut all these benefits outright as well. Meaning you loose not only your job, but your pod as well. Is that clear?’’
‘‘As for what you will actually be doing. The board assured us you have engineering experience, yes? You will be working in cooperation with several other Valkoran in a construction effort we are undertaking. Good news for you, you will be given preferential treatment, as you will be the only one in this team who isn’t a sla… i mean, an indentured servant. You start this morning, the construction sight is in the undercity, which is just down the street down the stairs which lead below. Any questions?’’ he finally concluded while handing him his electronic tablet with a ‘‘pen’’.
‘‘I would also ask for your signature, right there.’’