The Buro Group

Gideon, enclosed in this envelope is a series of conversations I overheard and recorded at the headquarters of the Zircon Clan’s base, disguised as a large building for buyer’s advocates and conveyancers. Some of these may seem mundane, but it was unclear whether those speaking were using code, so I have included them anyway. If you need someone to help uncover any hidden meanings, I’d recommend Hop. They’re an expert at this sort of thing – me, not so much.

These conversations include: 

• Two men standing at the water cooler over their lunch break, discussing what their jobs used to be like as buyer’s advocates working in Melbourne, before the Collapse.
• The Zircon Clan’s leader speaking to his adopted son about his allowance (unfortunately, security was too tight on the Director’s office for me to hear any crucial conversations. Getting in there will be the goal for next time).
• The buyer’s advocate for Sandringham property complaining to a bored coworker about how difficult it will be to get people to the new Sandringham.
• Several buyer’s advocates discussing how their jobs can even exist in a society that is entirely socialist.

In general, I would say that most of the buyer’s advocates working for the Zircon Clan worry about the longevity of their roles going forward. What happens when they become redundant? They were all well off on the surface, so is a socialist society even something they want? This could be a weak link worth exploiting. I tended to find that the conveyancers were much happier with the overall plans of the Zircon Clan, so they probably aren’t worth going after.

As mentioned above, my top priority going forward will be to gain access to the Director’s office and search through his personal files, in addition to hearing confidential conversations.

Expect my next report in around two weeks, although as I have no control over the situation, give or take a few days on that.

– Iris

Renovating a kitchen is probably the best stress relief there ever was. Need to release all your anger? Kneel down and start ripping up some floorboards with your bare hands. I guarantee, you’ll be feeling a lot better by the end of it. I also quite enjoyed taking a hammer to the counter, which isn’t usually part of the process but this time had to happen because their tools weren’t working. I dunno, I just found it to be a lot more fun.

I could do this for a job. In fact, I bet if there are people who fit commercial ovens, they must all be incredibly chill. You have to wreck a lot of stuff before you even get close to putting in a kitchen, so at least they know that when they come into work, they always have that waiting for them.

Come to think of it, there are probably a few jobs of that sort. Imagine being in control of a wrecking ball…now THAT appeals to me. Or being the guy who presses the button that sends the buildings tumbling down, due to them being blown up at the base. Probably aren’t a huge amount of those jobs going, and maybe they have some sort of rota system that states who gets to press the final button, but dang…that’d be great.

Then again, renovations have that extra element of being able to not only rip up a whole load of stuff, but also to see the place when it’s shiny and new. I’ve enjoyed that part as well, even though I’m no professional. Such is the life of someone who does renovations and installs commercial deep fryers and all the big stuff: satisfaction in the morning as you tear out the old, and parental pride as you look upon the new. All done by your own hand.

Is it the best job in the world? It has to be in the top 5 at least, right behind the wrecking ball person.

-Lee