by Ed Ostermeyer (Master Engineer – Grade 2)

Hello, my young friend, it is good to see you once again.

I note that you have a bandage on your left arm. Is something amiss at your machine shop?

 I see, so your associate purchased a lower grade of bituminous coal for your forge.

And some of it, what is the word, “popped” onto you?

The bitumen in that kind of coal will do that if you are not careful.

Your associate was looking to cut costs, was he?

You’ve taken the necessary action?

Good. We’ll not talk of it further.