Margaritifer Basin (Margaritifer Trilogy Book 1) by Gregory Gates

working on a manned mission to Mars.”
    “Good grief! Alright, well, that
does explain a few things.”
    “Uh huh. This tower room suite back
here will likely be an environmental systems lab, but I’ll leave it to our
flight surgeon to sort out what will be needed in there, so we’ll get back to
you on it. This den will be another office, secretarial type, and let’s leave
this adjoining bedroom just that. It’s small, so make it very comfortable. Some
poor soul I haven’t hired yet is going to be spending a lot of time down here.
And that about covers it, for now. Do you have any idea where Ann is? She was
supposed to meet me here this morning.”
    “I spoke to her on the phone
earlier, she had another appointment but should be here pretty soon. I think
she’s also bringing a contractor.”
    “Ah, good. Okay then. Well, I’ve
been doing all the talking, did you have any questions for me?”
    “No, I think I’ve got all I need,
as you say, for now. How long will you be staying?”
    “I have to go back tomorrow.”
    “Oh dear, that’s a short trip.”
    “Yeah, unavoidable. But I’ll be
back in a week or two for a considerably longer stay. Thanks for finding me a
bed; it looks far more comfortable than the floor. But anything you can do over
the next week to expedite the master bedroom will be greatly appreciated.”
    “That is right atop my list.”
    “Good.”
    As they exited the elevator on the
main floor, Jeff quipped, “That’s a kick. I’ve heard of homes with elevators,
but never thought I’d be quite so bourgeois.”
    Evelyn laughed, “It’s a nice touch
and convenient. This house has a lot of stairs.”
    “It certainly does.”
    Approaching the front door, it
suddenly opened and in came Ann and the contractor.
    “Ah, perfect timing,” Evelyn
observed.
    Ann introduced herself to Jeff
along with the contractor, Bill Walton, and Evelyn trotted off to locate more
furniture.
    “It’s a pleasure to finally meet
you,” Jeff said. “Why don’t we get this paperwork out of the way and then I can
show Bill what I’d like to have done.”
    Ann pulled a stack of papers from
her briefcase and handed them to Jeff, “Nothing earthshaking in here, just a
few things for escrow and the title company. I would imagine that escrow should
close quickly, probably two weeks or so, not that it makes a lot of difference.
As the funds are already in escrow and we don’t foresee any issues with the
title, you’re pretty much free to do what you want with the exception of
physical alterations, since you will need clear title to get plans cleared. Oh,
and did you bring the minutes for the title transfer to your corporation?”
    “Yeah, right here. My lawyer
drafted this, says it should do the job.” Jeff signed and initialed where
indicated and returned the papers to Ann. “Okay, then. Why don’t we wander out
back here and I’ll show you what I’d like. It would certainly be convenient to
have a garage.” Jeff talked as they strolled to the north side of the east
wing. “My first thought was to put one on that flat on the west wing, but this
looks like it would make a lot more sense, particularly given that existing
door into the hallway adjoining the kitchen. And these parking areas in the
drive over here would seem to indicate that somebody already had that in mind.
Ann, are these parking areas here and running out back there, new?”
    “Yes. Originally, the drive came up
the hill and ended in the circle here. But since there was no garage, during
the renovation, the owners had these parking areas created so as not to bottle up
the drive. Then they had it all resurfaced, or at least back to where the drive
crests the hill.”
    “Yeah, I thought so. I’m not crazy
about this light-colored gravel. This would sure look nice all in flagstone.”
    “Oh, that would be beautiful. But
very expensive.”
    “Yeah, probably save that one for
later. So, Bill, what do you think? Could we put a garage here,