Читать книгу The Friday Night Debrief - Kylie Jane Asmus - Страница 7

Chapter 3

First Day

Kylie arrived in Townsville just on dusk with her fuel light flashing. She didn’t need any directions on how to get to her accommodation for the next six weeks as Townsville was a place she had visited every year in one of the many school holiday breaks since she was a child. Despite the familiarity, driving down Charters Towers Road seemed different this time. She was older, had no one to fall back on and was now literally, on her own. She drove straight over the Ingham Road lights and turned right onto Sturt Street. Kylie headed towards the city cinemas, behind the old Peoples Palace where she had once stayed as a teenager during a highland dancing competition then turned left onto Blackwood Street. Here was her new temporary abode. It had a dark gated underground car park, with an elevator to her fully furnished apartment. After checking in she wondered if she should even bother unpacking all her lifelong possessions. It didn’t take her long to decide. She was not interested in humping every article out of her car up an elevator, through a hallway and past a heavy door.

“Buggar that,” Kylie said out loud. “I’ll do it just once when I find a flat to live in.”

Kylie was a bit of an energy saver. She slept in ’til the crack of noon most weekends and savoured every last second before the third snooze alarm went off in the morning. It was nothing to her to leave her car chock a block for six weeks rather than expend what she considered wasted energy.

She popped the boot of her car and took the large suitcase that housed everything she would require for the next couple of weeks and decided she could trek back to the car if she needed any other shoes or tidbits. A 48cm TV set sat on the back passenger seat facing the doorway, her mirrors lay flat towards the roof of the boot of her car. Backpacks full of random clothing and shoes filled empty crevasses in the cavities left. Kylie had already sent all her belongings over with the removalist but was later showered with gifts from her family and friends and had six weeks to find permanent accommodation.

Kylie felt empty, even though she had been snacking all day. But she realised the empty feeling didn’t stem from hunger and decided she didn’t need to eat dinner. Instead, she chose her clothes for her first day at work, ironed them and laid them out for an early departure. Following a hot shower, she made a few phone calls back home, and was in bed before 9 pm.

Tears rained onto her pillow that night and although she eventually drifted off, she was awake long before the alarm started buzzing at 6 am. She kicked off the sheets, determined not to go into work puffy eyed and miserable. She dressed in the same clothes she had taken off the previous night, threw on her socks, tied up her shoe laces, grabbed a hat to cover her bed hair and picked up her apartment keys as she walked out the front door and headed down the stairs.

The bright light of day made her step back for a moment and rub her eyes gently. “Wow. That’s awesome!” she said looking up towards Castle Hill with the sun rising above the eastern crest behind her. The image was so majestic and rich in colour, vibrant red clay rock against brilliant golden sunshine, twinkling beyond the vast outline of the rock-like hill that captured the centre of Townsville like a prized jewel.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a powerful sunrise,” she said to herself as she ventured along Walker Street then turned right down Stanley Street. Turning back onto Sturt Street she headed past the Police Station towards the now stark and empty western end of Flinders Street Mall on her way to the Townsville Jupiters Casino. Kylie had no specific destination in mind, she just wanted to immerse herself in her new surroundings and try to blur the engraved images of everything back home. Maybe that way she would realise she wasn’t in Kansas anymore. She felt a walk through town was a fitting start to her new adventure and a good way to ensure she was completely awake and ready for her new beginning with BHP in less than two hours. As she left Flinders Street Mall for the nightclub strip of Flinders Street East, she looked at the empty buildings that promised after hours excitement but wondered when she would enter them. Who would she go with? Who would she talk to once inside? She couldn’t go alone...she wasn’t in Mount Isa anymore. The rooms would be filled with strangers. Strangers who were stranger than the friends she knew and adored back home.

Walking past the old Sun Ferries Terminal in Ross Creek where she had caught many a Hayles Ferry from as a child, she reflected on the innocence with which she had always visited Townsville. The times spent with school friends whilst on school camps, with her family on regular trips to see her grandfather in town or the times she drove to Townsville as an adult with girlfriends for shopping trips combined with some rent-a-moke island frivolity were the strongest memories she had of this part of town. Magnetic Island had been a constant within her life thanks to her mum’s frugal savings plan throughout the school year to enable them to afford school holidays in the Mount Isa Mines discounted Kooyong Flats in Arcadia Bay.

Her feet carried her along the footpath towards the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority offices, the Tropical Museum of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium. She hadn’t been inside the museum since the impressive floor display of the construction of the majestic ship Pandora had been outlined on the floor plan and a to scale part model had been built to showcase the historic journey it had made before it came to rest on the Coral Sea bed. It was on her list of things to do but again, it was something that she feared she would have to experience alone. For someone as extremely social as Kylie was, the prospect of facing things alone was new and not so appealing.

Kylie hot footed it out along Sir Leslie Thiess Drive and walked as far as she could go on the outskirts of the sea wall, a fisherman’s footpath, built from rocks and concrete and providing a gateway into the Townsville Port, and into Ross River. The Port enabled ships, ferries, yachts, boats and punts to come and go, as they ventured back and forth from the shipping lanes around the world or enjoyed the beauty and rewards of the ocean closer to home around Magnetic Island, Cape Bowling Green and outwards towards the Coral Sea.

Kylie walked out to the closest opposite point to the very berth she was about to start work at that very morning, Berth 11. It stood proudly on the outer marina, with a clear view of incoming harbour activity and it had its back to her, with its nose in the air. Kylie stared back at it with her head high, telling herself she had made the right choice in uprooting herself from everything she had ever known. She looked up at the peak of the Ship loader where she had been taken on her second interview under false pretence to prove she was unbothered by heights and mesh stairways. Without even knowing she was being tested, she had nailed it.

“There’s my new focus,” Kylie said softly to herself. “That’s where opportunity lies.”

She sat down and stared, entranced, at the water lapping against the concrete wharf. Shaking her head and stretching, she looked at her watch to find that twenty minutes had passed. It was time to walk back to her abode and get ready to front her first day at work so she got up and quickly retraced her steps.

Kylie was showered, dressed and in her car by 7.40 am. It only took her ten minutes to arrive at work. She got out of the car and locked the door, straightened herself up and patted down her hair in the reflection of the window glass. Following the footpath to the stairs, she climbed them, blotted her lips together, closed her eyes and took a final deep breath. She opened the door to find a room full of men sitting at a table in the middle of the office. Some of them were eating breakfast cereal and talking.

“G’day,” Kylie said closing the door behind her. “I’m Kylie.”

“Hey, here she is.” One of the men stood up and greeted her holding out his hand. He had interviewed Kylie and met her twice beforehand.

“Hi Chris,” she said.

“Good memory. These are the guys,” he said pointing to each one as they got up and came over to shake Kylie’s hand. Kylie noticed they all had their names stitched onto their shirts so didn’t take much notice of their actual names. She figured she could use a man’s trick and look at their chest when she spoke to them, instead of into their eyes.

They all seemed very friendly. Kylie’s boss entered the office about five minutes after she had met everyone else. “Hi Boss,” said Kylie as he walked in.

“Hi Kylie. Welcome to BHP. So you found the place alright then?” he asked holding his hand out to shake hers.

“Yes thanks. I have spent a lot of time in Townsville on holidays so I feel familiar already.”

“Oh that’s great. That’ll make your transition easier. When did you arrive?”

“I drove over yesterday, and got in about 6 pm,” Kylie replied.

“Wow! How are the heartstrings? First time you’ve moved isn’t it?” her boss asked sweetly.

“A bit tender,” Kylie said biting her lip.

“Well, we’re glad you’re here and the guys are going to show you around and keep you busy so why don’t you go with Chris over there and he can show you where you can put your lunch and make yourself a cup of tea, then show you where everything is in the office and around site?”

“Okay,” Kylie said turning towards Chris and following his lead.

Kylie walked through each of the offices with Chris who showed her where everyone’s desk was as well as her own in the main office, then through to the laundry and shower blocks and men’s and ladies’ toilets, and he pointed out where the cleaning supplies were kept. They walked over to the workshop and had a look around before making their way back towards the office. Between the workshop and the office was a garden bed with some established trees and shrubs in it. As Chris and Kylie were walking past the garden bed towards the stairs of the office they suddenly heard a loud metal banging noise followed by some yelling.

Kylie jumped from fright and her hand clutched her chest. Chris didn’t jump. He started laughing.

“Come with me. I think I know where it’s coming from,” he said.

The noise continued. Banging on a metal door, the same noise you get from hitting your fist on the side of a metal filing cabinet. When Chris opened up the men’s change room door the noise was nearly deafening. He signalled to Kylie to be quiet by putting his index finger over his lips as he shut the door quietly behind them.

Along the back wall of the men’s change room were lockers. One locker in particular looked very animated. Chris walked up to what was apparently the source of all the deafening noise and started belting the locker with his own hands and yelling. The noise from inside stopped and they heard a squeal like a girl. Chris stopped banging on the locker and locked the door from the outside and put the key in his pocket.

“See ya later mate,” Chris said, then stomped his feet and opened and slammed the door as if he was leaving the room.

The person inside unsuccessfully tried to open the locker door and immediately started yelling in an animatedly distressed voice. “Hey! Let me outta here, I’m stuck. I can’t get out.”

Chris put his hand over his mouth to muffle his laughing. “If I let you out are you going to behave?” he asked the larrikin in the locker.

“Ohh? For how long?” the voice replied.

“For as long as you can! There’s someone here to meet you,” Chris said.

“Really? Who is it?” The voice acted surprised.

“Climb out of there you clown,” Chris said unlocking the door and opening it up.

A very cramped male wearing earmuffs and dressed in orange overalls slowly unfolded himself from the locker. Once he stood upright, Kylie could see that he was a little bit taller than her, sun damaged, he looked like he enjoyed donuts, and he looked his best when he was actually concealed within the locker. He got out and laughed at himself and extended his right hand towards Kylie. “G’day, I’m Shonky,” he said.

“Hi, I’m Kylie,” she replied, then looked at Chris wondering what adult male does this?

Shonky looked at Kylie like he didn’t hear her and said, “Sorry? Pardon?”, then pointed to his ears like he was in a noisy environment.

Chris reached over and removed Shonky’s earmuffs. “Kylie, this is Shonky.”

“Shonky? No shit,” Kylie said with a deadpan face.

Shonky started laughing. “Oh! It’s your first day. I was trying to make it memorable!”

“Oh, indeed!” said Kylie smiling.

“So, do you want to watch a train unload? One is just on its way over,” Shonky asked excitedly.

“Sure,” Kylie replied.

“Righto, well your uniforms and steel capped boots are in your locker in the ladies ablution block. Go and get changed and meet me back outside and I’ll get you a helmet and some Personal Protection Equipment (PPE),” he said.

“Righto,” Kylie said wondering if her bum was going to look big in her new uniform.

She opened her locker to find brand new bright orange long sleeve shirts and long pants folded neatly. There was a pair of thick work socks on top of them also. On the bottom shelf of her locker was a brand new pair of lace up steel capped boots. They felt heavier than her handbag and that was saying something.

After changing, she stood up on the step of her shower so that she could view her rear and then her front reflection in the mirror on the opposite wall. “Hmmmm,” she said. “They sure is firm, but lucky for Kylie, she don’t have no camel toe!”

Kylie walked out of her change room slowly. Her steel caps boots felt more like lead covered boots.

“Hey! You look great.” Shonky said.

“I feel like an orange,” Kylie replied.

“Well orange you glad everyone dresses the same! You’ll fit in straight away! Now, normally, you wouldn’t be allowed inside the office with boots on but since they are clean, come inside, just this once. How about I make you a cup of tea or coffee and then we’ll walk over to the Tippler?” Shonky said.

“Okay. Thanks,” Kylie replied.

Shonky made small talk as he made Kylie a cup of tea and then they headed over to the Tippler building and waited for the train to arrive. Kylie got her first taste of what the term Rail Way meant.

“There’s your way, My Way and the Rail Way!” Shonky said laughing, since the estimated time of arrival was an hour different to the actual time of arrival, despite the distance to travel being less than two kilometres at the time the ETA was given.

Neither Shonky nor Kylie cared, they chatted effortlessly and asked each other questions. After fifteen minutes Chris opened the door of the Tippler office and joined them in their wait.

“So Kylie? Are you Married?” Chris asked.

“Wow, don’t muck around Chris. Get straight to it,” Shonky laughed.

“I’m single, but I moved to Townsville to find my husband,” Kylie said optimistically.

“Sorry sweetheart, I’m taken!” Shonky replied blowing a breath on his fist then rubbing it on his chest and wobbling his head like he was some sort of trophy.

“Rats!” Kylie said, “Nart”, making Chris burst out laughing.

“I knew you pair would get along,” he said.

“You’re married aren’t you Chris?” Kylie said remembering something he had said in her interview.

“Yep. Married, three children, another on the way,” he replied.

“I have one word for you,” Kylie said.

“What’s that?” Chris asked, raising his eyebrows.

“Prophylactics!” Kylie said.

“Nah. Kids are great! Do you have any?” he asked.

“Not that I’m aware of,” Kylie said smiling.

“Ahhh, she’s only young, she has plenty of time for kids,” Shonky said.

“What about you Shonky? How many children bear your unfortunate resemblance?” Kylie asked.

“Oh Go Easy!” Shonky said as Chris laughed. “I have three kids. Two girls and a boy, all in high school. My job is nearly done!” he said rubbing his hands together.

“Wow, good for you,” said Kylie genuinely.

“So single hey?” Chris said. “Wow, I’m glad I’m not single anymore. I have no idea where I would go to meet people. Where do you go?” he asked.

“How the hell should I know, I only moved here yesterday and I have no mates to go anywhere with!” Kylie answered.

“Wow. Full on,” said Chris. “Never fear. We have crew barbeques every month. That’s some company for you,” he said.

“Yeah righto,” Kylie said wondering how that was going to go, her and a whole lot of married folks and kids. She imagined herself being made to be the babysitter for them so the parents could relax during the entire event.

Shonky must have read her mind. “Don’t worry, everyone’s kids are self sufficient. You can hang out at the grown ups table.”

“Roger that,” she said.

“Ooooohhhhh. Did you hear that Shonky?”

“Roger, I heard that, Roger That!” Shonky laughed and put his hand up to Kylie to high five her.

“Did you like that Shonk? Ole Rogerhhhh?” she said smiling and high fiving him back.

“Yes I did. You’re all over it,” he said.

“Roger is my Dad’s name. That’s why I say it. Reminds me of him,” she elaborated.

“Well I say it ‘cause it’s affirmative and sounds cool,” Shonky replied.

“Whatever floats your boat Shonk,” Kylie said with a smile.

“Hey do you like fishing?” asked Chris.

“Nope. I hate fishing. It’s hot, I get seasick and you have to be quiet,” replied Kylie.

“Yeah I hate it too. But this mob aren’t quiet when they go fishing,” Chris said.

“Roger,” Shonky confirmed, “maybe we can sit in the boat at a BBQ and just drink beer in it. No need for quiet, you won’t get seasick and no fish to gut!”

“Yeah....Nup,” Kylie answered making Chris laugh again.

The trio talked until the train came. Once it arrived Kylie stayed with one of them and they showed her how they unloaded it. One of them had to be in the control room at all times, while the other one was able to leave the control room and be on the ground, checking the smooth running of the entire process.

“Do you think I could learn how to do what you guys do?” Kylie asked Chris and Shonky when they were all back together.

“Sure! Yeah? Why not?” they said.

“I’d do it in my spare time on weekends and after hours,” said Kylie.

“Yeah, I’ll ask the boss for you. See what he says,” Shonky said.

“Thanks. That would be really cool,” replied Kylie.

After they had finished unloading the train, the guys showed Kylie how they had filed and set up the office and gave her full reign to change anything and everything to suit herself. She logged on to her computer and had a look at the office electronic files and started familiarising herself with it all. It was a very easy day of light office work and inductions. The guys also took her into Head office about 5 kilometres away to introduce her to the rest of the team and to take her to lunch.

It was a great first day and she really enjoyed the personalities of the all male work crew that shared her office. Kylie left work at 5 pm and headed home via Woolworths to buy some grocery items for dinner. It was a day of firsts. First day at work. First shopping trip. First night of cooking. First night of burning what she tried to cook for herself, and the first night of takeaway food in Townsville. Tomorrow there would be another first, the first time she would make enquiries about renting a place of her own.