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110 jumped into Eddie’ s truck, stopped to ask the driver not to unload until they got back. Chuck said it took about half an hour to unstrap the load and setup up the forklift. The drills and magnetic screw holders were easy. Finding enough heavy duty castors took cleaning out two hardware stores. Forty-five minutes later they arrived back at the job site as Chuck was attaching the long blades to the machinery. He had obviously underestimated his ability. Frank informed him of the plan.“ I’ m going to have to wait while you guys put wheels on each of these?” Chuck waved at the truckload. Frank had a fifty dollar bill ready for the question.“ Your patience would be appreciated. It won’ t take long,” Frank said.“ Since you put it that way. No problem,” Chuck said, and put the money in his pocket.
In no time they had assembly line precision. The forklift moved the heavy pallets to the station Eddie and Frank set up with castors and screws. Chuck placed the load at shoulder height. Two wheels were added. Chuck moved forward and the process was repeated. He placed the rolling pallets on the smooth floor and pushed them inside. When the last stack went inside he asked what they were framing.“ A wooden platform thirty-two inches above the original floor.” Eddie explained.“ You just saved a shit load of hours on that frame work,” Chuck commented, looking at the open expanse, now littered with stacks of long shiny studs.“ You wouldn’ t want to help us push these against the back wall? Two pushing and one steering would make it a lot easier,” Eddie said.“ I can steer,” Chuck nodded. Fifteen minutes later, the place was orderly. Presented with the order form, Frank signed. Chuck looked at the signature and the name on the bill.“ You are Frank Melling?” he asked. Frank nodded.“ You an associate?” he asked Eddie who nodded.“ What a novel idea. Management that knows how to work. It was a pleasure working with you,” he said, shaking their hands and turning to leave.“ Have a safe one,” Eddie said. Chuck nodded and waved. Eddie read the question on Frank’ s face.“ Five times more truck drivers die in the line of duty than policemen. Ten times more than firemen.”“ Interesting fact,” Frank stated.“ Yes it is.”“ I’ m getting hungry. The muffin didn’ t do the trick after that workout,” Frank said.“ What else is coming?”“ I-beams for the spider web and plywood for the decking.”“ I’ ll buy if you fly,” Eddie said, handing Frank the keys to his truck.“ It probably handles differently than what you are familiar, and I hope you know how to drive an automatic?” Eddie joked and tried to hand Frank a twenty. Frank refused the cash and handed over the keys to the Harley, in case anything happened, Eddie would not be stuck without wheels.“ You do know how to ride a bike?”“ Sold my KZ-750 when Tanya announced she was pregnant.”“ My second bike. What a work horse. Heavier than the Harley. Get on it and see for yourself. Take it for a spin on those empty streets. You’ ll know if a truck pulls in,” Frank said, heading out to find food. The sound of the bike’ s engine echoed in the building. Eddie twisted the throttle. The roar screamed“ Feed me” Eddie shut off the bike, knowing this was his drug of choice. The Kawasaki had seen a hundred miles an hour numerous times. Frank showed up with a bag of breakfast sandwiches, hash brown patties and more coffee. They pulled up seats to the table and enjoyed brunch.“ Good choice on the chairs. Sturdy and comfortable,” Frank complimented.