“Captain on the bridge.” The words weren’t actually said, but I could hear echoes of them whenever I approached. Every technician would stop what he was doing and stand ready, as if waiting for new orders.
“Don’t let me interrupt. Continue what you were doing.” No movement. “Kasamatsu-san, I just wanted to see how things are going.”
“Everything’s on track. We’re just putting the earthquake bolts in now.” The technicians all gathered close, nodding gravely. Since the Great Hanshin earthquake of 95, companies were very careful about bolting heavy equipment to the ground.
“Really? It doesn’t look like anything’s happening right now,” I wanted to say, but managed to hold it back. “Great. Well. I won’t keep you any longer.”