Affair: A MacGyver Story
By Judybear
So Pete has this great idea to maybe play cupid with Mac, but of course, whenever MacGyver is involved, things don't go exactly according to plan!
Chapter 6:
A small, rather dusty office was situated near the center of the town dump. Here workers kept track of the weights and volumes of the various recyclables collected, items set aside for re-purposing, gallons of motor oil and other oddities brought in to be disposed of. It was also a hub for gossip and tall stories, as well as some nefarious dealings. The office was not much more than a shack built of mostly scrap lumber and siding, but it had a good roof on it and was heated in the cold months for the men who tended the dump, or rather, the "recycling center".
On this particular evening there were two men inside. One was heavy-set and wearing a visor cap proclaiming "BIG–WHEELS FEVER", a denim jacket over a dress shirt, black jeans cinched with a painted belt – what little you could see of it. The belt had a too large buckle which, combined with his over-hanging belly, were likely the primary reasons he leaned back so far in the chair. Gaudy, fake western boots completed his attire.
The other man was small, small-boned and immaculately groomed. His graying hair was cut short in a soft brush that went well with his light gray suit, soft pink pin-striped shirt with white cuffs and collar and paisley print tie with a pocket square to match. With his gray wingtip shoes he looked terribly out of place. He leaned back in his chair, toying with a pencil. "You're sure, Bob? I'd hate to initiate any action and then find out it was an unnecessary risk."
"I'm sure, Mr. Schofield. I checked it out myself. The main tank is half full and the ponds are all at their limit. One good rain and the whole thing's gonna overflow."
Schofield studied his pencil, thinking. Releasing these toxic chemicals untreated could only be done at night and on nights when there were no public activities scheduled. Tonight would be such a night. "OK then, why don't you come back around 1:30 and we'll see what we can do? Just keep it to yourself and be sure you're not followed, OK?"
"One-thirty: You got it." As he got up to leave there was a knock at the door. They exchanged surprised looks before Schofield told him, "Get rid of him, whoever it is."
Bob looked through the peep-hole in the door, "It's one o' them scientists." Schofield showed just a bit of alarm, "I wonder what he wants?" His demeanor changed to forced affability and he called out, "Yes? Come in! Come in!"
Mac entered the office and immediately recognized Bob and Schofield from his files. "Good evening! I saw your lights on and thought I'd stop in."
Schofield appeared to be slightly on edge, but put on a good show, "Ah! Mr. MacGyver! Please, have a seat!"
Mac's expression changed to one of "Give me a break." "Thanks, but I'll stand."
Schofield was still trying to maintain his air of friendliness, "And how can we help you today? I trust your survey is going well?"
"Well, you see, that's just it. We have a little problem: there seem to be some old abandoned pits out there that we weren't told about. Someone fell into one today and could have been seriously injured… "
Schofield has been pointedly scrutinizing Mac's dirt-smudged clothes. Mac noticed and added, "… And I helped her get out. The point is, we should have been warned that…"
Schofield gets a dark, determined look and tells Mac, "Mr. MacGyver," And Mac wondered if this guy knew how much being called that grated on him? "I am not responsible for hazards you might find in the woods! You all signed a disclaimer accepting responsibility for accidental injuries. Surely you don't expect us to go…"
"How did you know it was in the woods?" Schofield and Bob exchanged looks like the kid caught with their hand in the candy jar. "I don't expect you to enumerate every little hazard that we might find, but I DO expect to be informed of any UN-natural hazards…"
Schofield angrily interrupted, "Mr. MacGyver, I have only been here for six months and am a very busy person. I just don't have time to… Say. Bob? Do you know anything about this?"
Mac almost felt sorry for Bob, having this thrown into his lap without any warning. Bob shrugged, confused, "Mr. Schofield, I don't know nothin' about no pits. Maybe Ben Davis out on River Road might know somethin'. He's the old owner."
Mac was being very patient, knowing he was being given a run-around. "OK, where can I find this Ben Davis?"
"Bob? What's his son-in-law's name?" He turned to Mac to explain, "Ben doesn't answer his door to strangers," then looked at his watch, "Oh dear. If you gentlemen will excuse me, I have a meeting … Nice to meet you, again, Mr. MacGyver. I'm sure Bob can answer any more questions you might have." And with that he left the office.
Mac looked at Bob, leaning back on his chair with a smug grin on his face, "Uh, …That's OK. I'll find him."
"Suit yourself!"
And Mac left the office.
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And so we meet Schofield and "Bob"! Nice guys, eh? LOL. R & R, if you like.