Chapter 65 Observing the Hand and the Hateful Ghost
What do Chinese laborers abroad like?
Of course, they like whatever they lack!
Food and drink are certainly not an issue, but most of them have never truly enjoyed Africa's grasslands and the local culture at ease.
Camping, hunting, setting up a small shooting range for them to mess around with.
As long as food and drink are decent, once they get used to the guns, take them for a spin around the grasslands, let them hunt down an antelope or something, hire a chef to cook it up for them, ensure there's plenty of booze and safety, and have local girls sing and dance with them, then there's nothing else to worry about.
But this can only happen after the animal sanctuary is built, or else where would our compatriots stay, in Ad-Damazin's cramped hostels?
Let those whites "enjoy" those lousy rooms without air conditioning.
After sending Sayram off, Joe Ga was just about to go back to rest when Nis came looking for him.
This girl had been up early in the morning to practice shooting with Ayu, then would accompany him to greet guests. Occasionally, when Sayram was too busy, Nis would fly tourists around in the helicopter, which is why Sayram had his eye on her.
It should be her work time with Ayu now, Joe Ga watched curiously as Nis approached and said with a smile, "What's up?"
Nis took out her phone and showed it, saying, "You forgot about that spotter, she has already arrived at Khartoum Airport. Should we go to Khartoum to interview her, or should we bring her over?"
Joe Ga recalled the spotter's resume and said with a smile, "Of course, bring her over. You drive the Gazelle over and pick her up.
Whether she qualifies as a spotter doesn't matter; the fact that she speaks six languages means I have to keep her. This woman would be an asset anywhere."
After hearing this, Nis nodded and went to find the first Gazelle purchased with "Ad-Damazin Grasslands Travel Company" printed on it and drove off.
The travel company now has formal procedures, just notify the airport in advance and pay a fee afterward, then it can refuel directly at Khartoum Airport.
Really, any gas station works, but it looks classier and more official to stop at the airport.
When Nis left, Joe Ga changed out of his greasy work clothes, drove home for a good wash, had a full lunch, took a short nap, then put on a clean uniform and drove back to the airport.
After waiting for less than half an hour, the helicopter piloted by Nis returned.
The Gazelle circled the airport for a while before gently landing on the open space in front of the hangar.
Joe Ga stood at the entrance of the hangar and didn't move forward. It was only after all the passengers had disembarked that he realized there were two people, not one.
One was a woman in jeans and a T-shirt, wearing a pair of black gloves. Her face looked quite haggard, so she'd only score 70 points for looks.
The other was a short, chubby man with a big beard and a waddling walk.
Joe Ga looked at Nis walking over, his expression full of inquiry.
Nis pursed her lips and shook her head, saying, "That guy came with the woman for her interview. His status is a bit special, so try not to get angry later."
The woman in jeans straightened her back quite proudly, and probably sensing Joe Ga's confusion, she stepped forward, extended her hand, and said, "Hello, my name is Antar, I'm here for the position of the spotter."
As she spoke, Antar gestured towards the somewhat lecherous-looking, short, chubby man beside her and said, "His name is Eric, Eric Copper, a friend of mine. He's a bit worried about me, so..."
Joe Ga didn't understand what there was to worry about in an interview. He shook hands with Antar and immediately felt that the girl's right thumb was missing. Then he looked at her left hand and realized that her left thumb was missing too. In an instant, he understood why she said she could only be a spotter...
Humans have ten fingers, but the two thumbs are the most important.
The absence of a thumb is a serious disability anywhere, but on the battlefield, it's not just a 'disability' — it's crippling.
With a missing thumb, even holding a gun becomes a problem, let alone fighting?
Even if you were a top-notch observer, how could Joe Ga confidently take you on for high-risk work when you struggle just to hold a telescope?
Joe Ga's expectations for Antar as an observer weren't very high to begin with; he placed more value on Antar's language abilities.
But now she's come to apply and brought someone with her, and this man doesn't look at him kindly, which baffles Joe Ga a bit.
Letting go of Antar's hand, Joe Ga stepped back and glanced at Eric, then said to Antar, "I think you might not meet the requirements for an observer, but..."
Before Joe Ga could finish, Eric called out with a slightly shrill voice, "Antar, I told you you shouldn't come here. There's no one here who will appreciate you.
"Let's go back. I will help you find a suitable job. You are the best sniper, and you shouldn't waste your life in this rotten place."
Antar smiled bitterly, shook her head, and said, "Eric, can you please not speak? This is my job, my life!"
Any normal person would have shut up by now, but Eric, as if he felt nothing, clutched his hands to his chest and said in a tone that gave Joe Ga the creeps, "No, Antar, I can't watch you waste your talent like this.
"Let's go back. I can contact all the best female snipers in the world, and I will find someone who appreciates you."
Antar shook her head helplessly, "Eric, first, I need to be able to support myself, and incidentally, my family. I need a job."
"No, you were once the best sniper, and wasting talent is..."
Joe Ga had a hard time listening and interrupted Eric with a hand gesture, then looking at Antar he said, "You may have once been a very skilled sniper, but your situation is clear. However, it doesn't matter, I've reviewed your resume, and if you haven't lied, you are still a very talented individual."
Saying this, Joe Ga pointed to the logo on the helicopter and said, "You see, I run a travel company. If it's just you alone, I can employ you in my company.
"It doesn't have to be as an observer, there are many positions in my company that would suit you."
Joe Ga's message was clear: he only acknowledged Antar, and if Eric also wanted to stay, they could leave.
Before Antar had a chance to speak, Eric, as if his tail were stepped on, jumped up on his toes and screamed, "Do you know who Antar is? Do you know about her past achievements? Do you know what she's been through? How dare you speak to Antar with sympathy?
"She is the best sniper; even without a thumb now, she is still stronger than all of you."
Joe Ga faced Eric's hysteric behavior, feeling both amused and annoyed.
Without even glancing at Eric's face, Joe Ga looked at Antar and said, "If you only want to be an observer, then you may be disappointed."
Upon hearing this, Antar said anxiously, "Why not give me a chance? I guarantee that I can fulfil the duties of an observer!"
As she spoke, Antar looked at Eric with a pleading expression, "Eric, please. I need this job. I also have family to support."
Faced with Antar's plea, Eric pouted and said, "This isn't right, you need someone who appreciates you.
"This guy has no idea of your worth."
With that, Eric looked disdainfully at Joe Ga, dressed in his combat uniform, and said, "At the shooting range, we could show him his ignorance right away."
Eric's attitude made Joe Ga laugh. He glanced at Nis who had been silent the whole time, shook his head, and said, "We're idle anyway. Notify Zhabu and Nas to prepare the interview site.
"I also want to know just how ignorant I am..."