RP: Drinks and Shop Talk

[shh_roger]

Date: June 21, 2005
Character(s): Roger Davies, Anthony Goldstein
Location: Five Alarm
Status: Semi-Public
Summary: Roger heads to the pub for a drink and runs into a fellow builder.
Completion: InComplete

It had been a somewhat long week work-wise. With the end of a few smaller jobs came the beginning of two new, larger ones. Work had started at both

Comments

[shh_roger]

Roger glanced over when he heard his name, spotting a distantly familiar bloke, from Ravenclaw. He sent the man a smile and a nod as he placed the name and set down his glass. "Yeah, that's me -- Goldstein, right? Anthony? It's been a long time; how are you?"

[shh_roger]

"Not bad," he said with a smile. "Keeping busy, mostly."

He sipped his pint. "What are you doing with yourself these days? A long time since we were housemates, but I think I've heard about you from a few people since I've been in town. You've a building outfit here, yeah?"

[shh_roger]

Roger laughed. "I only wish I didn't know what that was like, mate. I've only just begun to discover the joys of red tape, myself."

He took another drink and popped a chip. "Yeah, I've only just opened my own shop, a couple of months ago over on Lovegood Lane towards Alpha. Going pretty well so far -- busy, but that's how I like things. But yeah, we do renovations and general woodwork out of my shop, with a bit of furniture tossed in. You're into more large-scale, right?"

[shh_roger]

"Yeah. Man, I just wrapped up two projects last week only to be replaced by two larger ones this week. I'll be working on the new Prophet offices on Gold, and a new community centre. Just renovations work, mainly." He drummed his fingers once against the side of his glass of Guinness. "Amazing, isn't it, what the town was when we all got here, and now we've got a cinema, a slew of new shops, and about to have a community centre," he said, and chuckled. "Almost seems normal now."

At Tony's comment, Roger gave a laugh. "You aren't the only one to've told me that over the past few months," he said. "And, to tell you the truth, I was more surprised than you. Quidditch used to be my life, and now, not so much. Came into town in November not knowing what to do with myself, really. But I tried this -- sort of by chance, and I found out I really love working with my hands; working with wood. And here I am, I suppose." He popped another chip. "What about you? You set out to do this type of work out of school?"

[shh_roger]

"You've gotten around, mate. I've never been on a plane, myself. Hadn't even been on a broomstick in years until recently. But there's nothing like flying, is there?" He smiled. "No matter what sort."

"I hope your family came out all right, mate. Habitats?" He sipped his beer and looked up curiously. "Is that a building firm for people who've had storm damage? Volunteer, you say? I'm new to the industry, as it were, and I don't know much about Muggle organisations unless you count my suppliers," he added with a wry smile.

[shh_roger]

Roger nodded, nursing his beer. "I think if I'd had a family to protect when things got bad, I'd have gotten them as far away from danger as I could," he said. Indeed, that's what he'd done with Bryna; he'd kept her hidden, even if it hadn't been well enough. He thought about Hermione. They'd both fought over the years, and even knowing that he knew that if things ever got bad again, he'd do whatever it could to keep her shielded from it. Only this time, he wouldn't fail.

"That sounds like a great organisation. You know, considering everything that happened to the Wizarding World during the war, you'd think there'd be something like that set up for us. Could have used it," he mused. "Anyway, I can understand why you got into this now, even though I'd not given thought to doing this sort of work until November. It's damned funny where life can take you, you know?"

[shh_roger]

At Anthony's mention of circular suggestion boxes, Roger laughed. Anthony was a sharp bloke, easy to talk to. And, it was nice to talk shop with someone. "Hopefully not. You know, I think you might be onto something, if the Ministry were okay with it. Can't see how they wouldn't. Could also bring it up at the next Town Hall. I'd be onboard for something like that. Some of my crew too, I'm sure."

He nodded. "Yeah, I know what you mean. It's easy to get too wrapped up in other jobs and forget what needs done in our own space. And, yeah, sure, I could pop over, see what needs done, or send someone. What are your plans for the space?"

[shh_roger]

He nodded. "Yeah, definitely let me know if that pans out, and if there's anything I can do to help. I have a lot on my plate, but things like that are worth taking the time for, you know?"

"Not entertaining enough?" He smiled slightly. "Well, I can definitely help you there. Custom cabinetry and shelving are what we do the most of. I'd like to drop by and have a look, take some measurements sometime soon, and see what I can do." He grinned at Tony's question. "Time for birds? Man, I don't think it'd be worth it to work so much and not have a bird to spend time with, so I like to keep my weekends and evenings free to be with her as much as possible. Though Hermione, my girlfriend, wouldn't much care for the term. How about you, mate? Hopefully you're taking the time for a bit of fun."