Chapter 64 Human Relationships and Worldly Affairs
Time flew by once he got busy, and in the blink of an eye, it was the fifth day.
Joe Ga was scheduled to deliver the goods to Lu Jun in two days, but the impalas were already prepared, and he planned to set off to Darfur's armory tomorrow to pick up the items requested by the PMC and deliver them to the Koldovan region.
This time, Joe Ga prepared two impalas, one for delivery and the other as transportation.
In the recent days, several more groups of people had arrived at Ad-Damazin, and the tourism business had started to pick up. They were starting to run short of hands; even Karman, who lacked a license, had flown Sayram's small plane a few times around the savannah with tourists.
Sayram had repeatedly urged Joe Ga to fix the Agusta AW-109 helicopter, claiming it was the company's face and could boost clients' confidence in the firm.
However, Joe Ga was in no hurry; even if he managed to fix it, was he supposed to fly it himself as the boss?
Until Sayram found a reliable helicopter pilot, the Agusta was just a live advertisement.
In the airport hangar, Joe Ga packed two weapon racks into the rear seat of the impala, closed the door, and looked over his handiwork with satisfaction. Then, turning to Sayram, who had been circling around him, he said with a smile, "Stop hovering around me; flying is your job. If you want to get the Agusta running, go find a pilot.
SD might not have any fighter pilots, but surely there are helicopter pilots?"
Sayram, completely disregarding the oil-stained hangar around him, attempted to light a cigarette for himself.
Joe Ga quickly snuffed out Sayram's lighter, snatched the cigarette from his mouth, and said irritably, "Have you had enough of living?"
Exhausted, Sayram rubbed his cheeks and said, "I've been working more than four hours each day for the past half-month, and I can't keep up much longer.
Yesterday, while flying, I almost decapitated a giraffe; you're the boss, you need to figure something out.
It's easy to find a helicopter pilot, but with our business being seasonal, hiring a pilot to work half a year and then rest for half—is it worth it?
I think that Nis is pretty good; why can't you just have her work some overtime?"
Joe Ga laughed at the complaint; how could this old timer dare to complain about being tired after working only four hours a day?
And where in SD are there giraffes? That was clearly news from Zimbabwe; was he trying to deceive him?
Raising his middle finger at Sayram, Joe Ga shook his head and said, "If we're short of pilots, hire ground staff.
Drive the tourists around the savannah in a pickup truck. If all else fails, camp at Ayu's animal camp; the wire fences are all set up there, and it's pretty safe."
Upon hearing this, Sayram made a sour face and said, "We're too short on staff, and how can you go into the savannah without guns?
I could find the right people from the Tribes, but how can we ensure our guests' safety without weapons?"
Realizing what Sayram was hinting at, Joe Ga saw the sheepish grin on Sayram's aged face and sighed, "What kind or how many guns do you or your Tribes people want?
Not too many; guns that come too easily and in large amounts can cause problems.
Ad-Damazin is just fine now, and I don't want to step outside and see everyone carrying guns."
Sayram nodded immediately and said, "20 to 30 AKMs should be enough; they're for the company's use, and they're not allowed to take them home. I'll take responsibility if there's a problem."
Joe Ga looked at Sayram, hesitated for a moment but chose not to expose his ulterior motives.
Not allowed to take them home? Those poor Tribesmen, once they come here, they eat and stay here; this is their home. Not allowing them to take guns home is essentially not allowing them to come to work. Exclusive tales from m v lem|p-yr
Joe Ga estimated that someone from Sayram's Tribes was jealous of his income, so they were adding to his burdens.
Such matters were normal. Social intricacies in Africa were just as tricky, and the law here was almost non-existent. Pushing back was the worst approach.
Essentially, it was about arranging jobs. Those who came were not unwilling to work.
The middle-class monthly salary in Ad-Damazin was 200 US dollars. We provide 150 US dollars, which should satisfy those who were chronically underfed.
Seeing the difficulty in Sayram's eyes, Joe Ga shook his head and said, "Then don't bring just twenty or thirty people. Bring fifty instead.
But there's one thing, they must undergo training before starting work. Manners and professionalism are essential. Those who can't speak well should simply stay quiet, and let a few articulate ones learn the guide's spiel.
After all, the tourists are here to experience the primitive ecology. As long as safety is assured and food and drink are satisfactory, they tolerate other issues."
Upon hearing this, Sayram nodded vigorously and said, "Don't worry, at least 15 of the newcomers are literate and have no problem with English. The rest have been screened by me, they're definitely tough and guaranteed to keep their mouths shut.
I know this problem was caused by me, but you should understand that the elders of the Tribes also want to create opportunities for the youth."
Frankly, Joe Ga did not care much about this since it wouldn't cost much. Without the support of Sayram's Tribes, his so-called tourism company could not survive in Ad-Damazin.
The people just saw the company was profitable and wanted to join for some benefits, which was face that had to be given.
After all, he could still utilize these people.
Spending a maximum of a few hundred thousand US dollars per year was enough to maintain this group of people.
Based on this month's trend, breaking even was still achievable.
Once Ayu's Animal Home was fully established, making a small profit should be no problem.
This was an industry. Compared to money, Joe Ga, who grew up impoverished, preferred tangible industries.
Moreover, Joe Ga didn't rely on this company to earn money, but maintaining this facade was necessary.
Sayram received a satisfactory answer, excitedly lifted Joe Ga, swung him around twice, and then said laughing, "I knew you were my good brother. Don't worry, as long as this company is in Ad-Damazin for one day, I can ensure its normal operation."
Joe Ga, slightly disgusted, pushed Sayram's face away, smiling as he said, "Those who can read should be sent to training first, the illiterates can work in security or the like, let Karman spare some time to train them.
I also don't have time to manage the company's affairs for now, just take care of it and don't turn the business into a one-off deal.
And you, stop only thinking about taking care of our own people. That Old Zhu who's helping us build the animal center, chat with him when you're free. He alone could lead a crew of laborers to finish our airport, which shows his capability.
Get on good terms with him, let him help us network in Kamu when he's free, bring in some corporate team-building projects.
Barbecue, singing, airplanes, pickups, hunting, we offer it all. With just two bookings a month, our costs are covered."
I can't appear in person for this deal, Old Zhu is astute and exactly the right person for this."
Upon hearing this, Sayram clapped his hands vigorously and said, "Right, why didn't I think of that before?
Now that we have electricity and the Chinese who built the dam haven't left yet, let's invite them for a visit, perfect to see what they like."