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 