Because I found the prompt very stimulating this week, I’m going to be greedy, and add another story. I’m also adding it because we’ve had many dark stories this week, and many that view the factory and industry as being inevitably linked to corporate greed. Of course, there is another point of view…
PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
Genre: Historical fiction c1975
Word count: 100
“So, instead of scrapping my old steel drums, I send them to you to re-process, and then I can use them again?” Jim, boss of the local chemical plant, was sceptical.
“They’re good as new.” Don crossed his fingers. The furnace he used was dodgy; the jobs of six men hung on this deal. “Why don’t I buy you lunch?”
Over chili dogs and beer, Don explained how it would save Jim money.
“And it’s good for the environment.”
Jim nodded thoughtfully.
“It’s a deal.”
Don bought him a whisky. Now he just needed a bank loan to fix the furnace…
200 lire steel drums can be reworked by draining the contents, burning out the residues, re-forming, shot-blasting and repainting. This is slightly more cost effective than scrapping the drums, and it’s a lot better for the environment – provided the furnace is correctly designed and operated. It was also typically a small business where skilled staff were appreciated.
Autumn Leaves 
Oh! I love the bright side of this!!! Delightful take. Drums? Bring ’em on.
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Thank you, Alicia. We have a lot to be thankful for, and delight is a good way to give thanks for that!
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Don’s a good boss, I hope he gets his loan.
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Yes, Don cares. He’s a real part of the community, not someone who sets themselves above ohers.
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There have been a fair few depressing stories, haven’t there, Penny. 7 of the ten I wrote yesterday were so inclined. I think it is the bleakness of the picture. I am heartened by the spirit of humanity in your story. So nice to see someone wanting to put Christian values into his work!
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Dear Kelvin
Thank you for commenting. I’m not quite sure about Don putting Christian values into his work; I think he’s just a decent human being.
The prompt is certainly a slightly bleak picture. However, I’m quite familiar with places like that from the work I did in my career. On the whole they’re safe, and staffed by friendly, hard-working people. Family businesses are quite often run with consideration for staff; it’s when multi-nationals get involved that profit starts to drive out human values.
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When I say Christian values, I meant those human values we all have inside us. 😎
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All in favour of your positive spin on this rather bleak picture.
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Christine!
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Yes, What Christine said. Early on, even though my own story was grim, I objected to the characterizing of capitalism as nothing but greed. Are there greedy capitalists? Of course, just as there are greedy progressives, socialists, communists.
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Dear Linda
Thank you for reading and commenting.
The more we can avoid greed, the better, perhaps.
With best wishes
Penny
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There is always a good side if you can think of it….at least in fiction 😉
Hope Dan can fix it. 🙂
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Thank you for the comment, Rituational.
I expect Don will manage somehow…
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He deserves to succeed.
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Liz. I agree with you!
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This was so positive and educative Penny. I love it when I learn something new and that happens a lot whenever I interact with you 🙂
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Thank you, Dahlia! I’m glad you found it positive. 🙂
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