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| Grimm, Rieper and Associates; Funeral Directors | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 13 2004, 09:23 AM (3,472 Views) | |
| FideiDefensor | Mar 14 2004, 10:21 AM Post #51 |
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curioser and curioser...
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NP, savour the gummi bears, they're home-grown, the best crop this year. Somehow I doubt that any ring, be it spiritual or not, could affect my master's health, but we shall see. |
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| Aurasnathis | Mar 14 2004, 10:26 AM Post #52 |
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"Thief" Odd looking word, isn't it? |
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| FideiDefensor | Mar 14 2004, 10:33 AM Post #53 |
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curioser and curioser...
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Indeed. I'm sure Mr. Reiper would be happy to return your ring, if you explain it's significance, but do remember that it was you who were using one of his caskets as a squatting facility. I believe my employer does not take kindly to squatters on his premises. |
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| Mearnskirk | Mar 14 2004, 11:28 AM Post #54 |
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Retired Undertaker
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* In Ebeneezer Rieper's office a distinguished-seeming gentleman carefully examines a ring * Hmm. Curious. Rather a dangerous object to carry around. I wonder if he'll ask for it back? * the distinguished-seeming gentleman puts the ring in one of the drawers of his desk and locks it * |
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| Christie | Mar 15 2004, 09:01 AM Post #55 |
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Enchantress
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Early the following morning, Christie returns to Grimm, Rieper and Associates. She timidly enters the front door and waits for Mr. Grimm. |
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| Mearnskirk | Mar 15 2004, 10:08 AM Post #56 |
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Retired Undertaker
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* a distinguished-seeming gentleman appears as if from nowhere * Good day again, young lady. How may we be of service? |
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| Christie | Mar 15 2004, 10:13 AM Post #57 |
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Enchantress
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Uhh, sorry if this sounds disrespectful, but are you Mr. Grimm or Mr. Rieper. Strange, but the two of you have a striking resemblance to each other... I was discussing a business proposal last week with Mr. Grimm and would like to continue our discussion after having had some time to think about his proposition.... We were rudely interrupted last week by some guy, and hopefully we can talk again IN PRIVATE, this time..... |
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| Mearnskirk | Mar 15 2004, 11:30 AM Post #58 |
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Retired Undertaker
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* the distinguished-seeming gentleman smiles * It isn't disrespectful. I am Josiah Grimm, and I agree that it's difficult to tell us apart. I'd be delighted to continue our conversation. * leads Christie through the doorway next to which is a brass plaque bearing the legend "Private", pausing to hook a dark red rope with brass fittings at each end across the doorway, then upstairs and into an office with a door bearing the words "Josiah Grimm" on a polished brass plaque, which he locks as Christie sits on a wood and leather chair * I don't think we will be disturbed now. So what would you like to discuss? |
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| Christie | Mar 15 2004, 11:46 AM Post #59 |
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Enchantress
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I am interested in your proposition of working here. I am not sure that the "accident" that we spoke of will take place or not, but I am new to the area and am looking for employment. This seems like an.........interesting business, to say the least, and you and your, um...partner, are very intriguing. I propose that we settle on a fair wage for my services. Then, on a weekly, or bi-weekly basis, you pay me 1/2 of my earnings (in cash of course), and retain the other half in an escrow type account to be used to offset future,,,err, expenses. At the time that you determine my account has sufficient funds to cover the...expenses for the services (that may or may not be required), I will continue to work if you continue to be happy with my services, but now for full wages payable on a regular basis. I would like to include a clause that my employment may be terminated upon one day's notice by either of us, and that it be stipulated that confidentiality is paramount from us both.....what happens here stays here. As you must understand, I am not willing to sign a written contract, but assure you that my word is as good as any written doucment, and trust that yours is the same???? |
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| Mearnskirk | Mar 15 2004, 11:58 AM Post #60 |
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Retired Undertaker
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* Upstairs, behind the locked door of Josiah Grimm's private office, the distinguished-seeming gentleman leans back in his chair and ponders * I am slightly puzzled by your reluctance to sign a contract. I can see why you might wish to avoid any records of the other matter, but if you are to run errands on our behalf and generally be round the premises most of the time, people are bound to know that you are in our employ. |
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| Christie | Mar 15 2004, 12:03 PM Post #61 |
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Enchantress
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You are correct in your statement, however, as you are (I am sure) aware, human memory is a frail thing. What people know for certain today, they are unsure of tomorrow, and often forget completely by next month. Although people may remember me hanging out around here, no one will ever know exactly why....maybe I am a cadaver groupie???? Anything in writing is a permanant record of my activities here, and I refuse to be bound to this place in that way. I assure you, that you will not be unhappy with my services or my loyalty and discretion. If this is not acceptable to you, I will walk away with no hard feelings, however, I cannot comfortably bind myself on paper....... |
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| Mearnskirk | Mar 15 2004, 01:07 PM Post #62 |
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Retired Undertaker
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* Upstairs, behind the locked door of Josiah Grimm's private office, the distinguished-seeming gentleman leans forward in his chair * It's precisely because of the frailty of human memory that we like to record such things. However, I can see you are determined in this, so I believe I can make an alternative arrangement. Would you mind closing your eyes for a second? |
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| Christie | Mar 15 2004, 01:14 PM Post #63 |
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Enchantress
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Looks uncertainly at Mr. Grimm for a moment, before stating...Mr. Grimm, I am no fool. I can sense that there are forces at work here that are not "normal", in the usual sense of the word. However, for some reason, I trust you, or else I would not be here......she then sits back, with an amazingly relaxed demeanor and closes her eyes tightly shut, with the hint of a smile on her face..... |
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| Mearnskirk | Mar 15 2004, 01:25 PM Post #64 |
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Retired Undertaker
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* Upstairs, behind the locked door of Josiah Grimm's private office, Christie is sitting with her eyes closed, but suddenly she sees images flashing before her which resolve themselves into a table upon which rests a document, an inkwell and a pen *
If you are happy with the contract, please imagine the quill signing your name. There will be no paper record, just this copy which will permanently exist in your memory. |
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| Christie | Mar 15 2004, 01:33 PM Post #65 |
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Enchantress
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I believe we can work with this mental contract. However, I would like to discuss wages. Recently, you hired FideiDefensor at the rate of 3 silver pieces per day. Although, I understand that her labor MAY BE more physical than that required of myself, you understand that my duties will be more along the lines of skilled labor when it comes to make up and embalming. Also, with the requirement of being on call 24/7, I anticipate that you may often have other "duties" that you need me to take care of on short notice. Therefore, I would request a starting salary of 28 silver pieces per week. Also, it should be noted in the virtual agreement that at the time that either of us severs the employement relationship, the full balance in my account will be paid to me within 1 day, in cash. If this can be arranged, I imagine that I will imagine signing the form..... |
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| Mearnskirk | Mar 16 2004, 06:57 AM Post #66 |
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Retired Undertaker
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* Upstairs, behind the locked door of Josiah Grimm's private office, Christie, sitting with her eyes closed, is seeing an image of a contract lying on a table. Suddenly the words blur and jumble, then reform *
Fidei is paid at a higher rate because she is not paid for the days she doesn't work. Also, you are entitled to free board and lodging, whether or not you choose to avail yourself of it. However, perhaps I did not take sufficient account of the on-call aspect. Does this now meet with your approval? |
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| Christie | Mar 16 2004, 08:39 AM Post #67 |
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Enchantress
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Christie thinks a moment, then imagines picking up the heavy pen and signing her name to the document. She immediately feels a chill come over her, but it is not at all unpleasant....it is almost erotic and she finds herself anxious to get to work and find out more about her duties as well as her employers. She feels that she is embarking on a new adventure, and thinks to herself "even if I don't knock off that jerk, I think I am going to enjoy this anyway." She opens her eyes..... |
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| Mearnskirk | Mar 16 2004, 09:10 AM Post #68 |
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Retired Undertaker
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* Upstairs, behind the locked door of Josiah Grimm's private office, the distinguished-seeming gentleman Christie now clearly recognises as Josiah Grimm smiles at her, then stands and shakes her hand * Welcome to Grimm, Rieper & Associates. Let me show you around. * Josiah Grimm unlocks the door of his office and leads Christie into the corridor outside. Opposite is a similar door with a polished brass plaque bearing the legend "Ebeneezer Grimm". * This is my partner's office, obviously, and along here is your office and your living quarters. * Walking along the corridor, Christie sees that the polished brass plaque on the next door is marked "Christie", and opening the door she sees a small office within which is a desk and chairs similar to Josiah Grimm's, plus a couple of wooden filing cabinets. The room is decorated but contains no artwork or other personal effects. A door on one wall has a polished brass plaque bearing the legend "Private". Josiah Grimm hands her a key. * Have a look at your quarters, should you wish to use them. |
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| Christie | Mar 16 2004, 09:23 AM Post #69 |
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Enchantress
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Upon shaking hands with Mr. Grimm, Christie is almost overcome by a wave of feelings, as though a flood of forgotten memories was rushing back to her, but upon his release of her hand, again they ebb away, leaving only a somewhat exciting confusion. She shakes her head sharply and follows, somehow not surpised that there is already an office prepared for her. Entering the office, she looks around and is impressed with the furnishings, but somewhat confused as to how she can see so well in the windowless office, as there are no lights lit...... I am reconsidering your offer of lodging, Mr. Grimm. Why is it that I feel that the accomodations are going to be exactly as I would have planned, even though we have never talked about them? |
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| Mearnskirk | Mar 16 2004, 09:39 AM Post #70 |
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Retired Undertaker
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* Josiah Grimm smiles again at Christie * You are a very perceptive young lady. I can see you're going to fit in just as well as Fidei has. But if you want to find out what the quarters are like, you'll need to open the door! |
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| Christie | Mar 16 2004, 09:48 AM Post #71 |
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Enchantress
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Walks up to door and realizes that the key she had just had in her hand was now gone. Looks around, thinking she might have dropped it, but realizes that the hardwood floor is bare. Thinks "why not, everything else around here happens on its own", and reaches for the knob, which turns under her grasp as she suspected it would. She slowly pushes the door open...... |
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| Christie | Mar 16 2004, 12:25 PM Post #72 |
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Enchantress
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From the outside, the room seems small and dark, but as she steps across the threshhold, it seemingly expands to immense proportions. She finds herself standing in the middle of a large Greatroom with a huge stone fireplace on one end. She looks at the fireplace and imagines how beautiful it would be if there were a roaring fire blazing within. As she looks around, she notices that there is heavy molding and abundant artwork on the walls, and pots of live plants and vines everywhere. There is a large set of sliding glass doors to the right which exit onto a huge deck, upon which there is a hot tub, beside which three large palm trees growing up through a cut out in the floor. As she looks back across the room, she is not startled to notice that there is now a large, established fire crackling in the fireplace. There are two doors leading off from the Great Room, one of which opens up into a small but efficient kitchen unit and the other into a beautiful bedroom. There is a huge canopy bed on the far wall, under two ceiling fans that are rotating gently. The room also has a huge bathroom with a large garden tub and separate shower. Above the tub is a huge window which overlooks a beautiful, tropical looking garden. Strangely, this window is on a wall which should have been adjacent to one of the storage areas within the business???? Oh well, who is complaining, right??? The bedroom also has a deck which overlooks a beautiful, secluded stretch of sandy beach, where the gentle surf can be heard rolling up onto the shore and among the few rocks present there. Christie wonders if she is able to exit the deck onto the beach, and makes a mental note to ask Mr. Grimm a few questions after she becomes more comfortable here. She turns around and almost runs into Mr. Grimm, who has appeared, as from nowhere, at her side. Mr. Grimm, this place is fabulous....I believe I will take you up on your offer to live here while I work for you, if that is still ok? |
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| Mearnskirk | Mar 16 2004, 01:08 PM Post #73 |
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Retired Undertaker
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Yes, Christie, of course it's still okay. Now before you fetch your things and unpack, let me show you the rest of the place. * Josiah Grimm leads Christie back to the central corridor, and opens the door opposite her office, which bears a polished brass plaque with the legend "Conference Room". He opens it to reveal a large room containing a very solid board table. Four chairs are currently at the table, although there is space for more, and at each place there is a blotter and writing materials. There is also a small brass plaque set into the table at each place bearing a name. Christie sees Josiah Grimm and FideiDefensor on the two nearest. * This is the conference room. Now that we have two employees I'll be arranging a staff meeting where we can discuss various matters concerning the business. * Leaving the conference room, Josiah Grimm leads Christie back downstairs. He unhooks the rope across the doorway into the showroom, and takes the other door leading through into the masonry workshop. There are racks of masonry tools, and samples of different materials are displayed on one wall. A door leads outside to a small yard containing uncut headstones. * This is our masonry workshop. You won't need to be involved much with here, except perhaps to sweep the floor occasionally when we've been working. * Josiah Grimm returns to the showroom and leads Christie through the door to the waiting room. Comfortable padded benches line the walls, and the decor, though sombre, is not depressing. * This is the waiting room, where mourners can wait before entering the chapel. * Josiah Grimm opens the double doors to the chapel, which is bright and airy and contains comfortable seating for about 100 people. There is an altar and a lectern, and a raised plinth covered in a large dark red velvet cloth. * This is the chapel. The plinth contains a lift which we can use to remove the coffin of the deceased during a cremation. You'll need to clean and polish both the waiting room and the chapel every other day, or after each use. * Josiah Grimm opens a door on the wall behind the plinth which carries a small brass plaque bearing the legend "Employees Only". He and Christie go through to the crematorium area, which contains the door of the lift to the plinth, and the furnace. Passing though another door, he leads her down a flight of stairs to a large brightly lit room completely covered in white tiles. Two large marble tables occupy the centre of the room. Each contains a pattern of grooves, as does the floor underneath and in between. One wall is filled with glass-fronted cabinets containing a variety of jars, boxes and what look like surgical instruments * This is the mortuary. The cleaning here is done with water. * Josiah Grimm indicates a coiled-up hose on the wall, and the drains in the centre of the room. Leaving the mortuary, they return through the chapel to the showroom. * Well, that's about it for now. No doubt you'll want to settle in. |
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| Mearnskirk | Mar 16 2004, 01:09 PM Post #74 |
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Retired Undertaker
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* In Ebeneezer Rieper's office, a distinguished-seeming gentleman leans back in his chair and softly calls out * Fidei? |
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| Christie | Mar 16 2004, 01:20 PM Post #75 |
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Enchantress
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Christie thinks about going to her apartment to fetch her belongings, then another thought enters her mind. She returns to her office and enters her residence, moving quickly to the bedroom. She opens the closet doors, and of course, finds it stockd with a variety of causal, dress and work clothing. The bathroom is likewise stocked with personal items, exactly what she would have purchased herself. The kitchen is similarly stocked with food and drink, all of her favorites, and the bookcases are filled with interesting books and reading materials. I wonder how they contact me when I am on call, she thinks, and immediately spots a small pager sitting on the counter where a moment ago there was nothing. She picks up the pager and walks out onto the deck overlooking the beach, amazed at the brackish smell of the salt air and the sound of the seagulls flying above...... |
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2:44 AM Jul 13