“We're going to have to take out all the electrical,” Chris continued. “We need to figure out where we are going to need electrical outlets, where we'll need the light fixtures, how many work rooms, offices...and how much power we're going to need to run the factory. It's not as simple as putting in a few wires. We're going to need a new breaker box. The one I see attached to the west wall is too small...” Chris rubbed his chin again.
“But spring...” Betty groaned. “Chris, are you sure?”
“Aunt Betty, you see how deep the snow is and how frozen the ground is. Now, you and Candy have enough money to hire a crew of workers who will come to the island and work around the clock to get the job done before spring, but my concern is flabby work will be done. Money or not, when a man is working in harsh conditions, he doesn't give his best. He wants to get the job done, get paid, and go home. I've seen that kind of attitude many times before on a job...jobs that had to be redone.”
“Chris is right,” Marty supported his new friend. “It's far too cold to expect anyone to be willing to come to this island and do a proper job. The winds are sharp enough to slice a man in half. All the plumbing work that's going to be required means hours of outside exposure.”
“I can run a backhoe,” Peppermint spoke up. “I'm a pretty good plumber, too. When the ground defrosts, I can dig up the area for a septic tank and run the needed lines with Chris and Marty's help...and Ralphie's help, too,” Peppermint quickly added.
“Plumbing isn't difficult,” Chris explained. “But if the job is rushed, mistakes can be made.” Chris pointed to the hangar door. “The other buildings we're going to build as well as the buildings that are already standing will need water and electricity...and bathrooms. We can't rush ourselves. If we do, we're liable to create many headaches in the future.”
Candy understood Chris' advice. She dropped her shoulders and sighed. “Well, if we have to wait until spring to start work on the Christmas village, can we at least start work on the inside of the castle?”
“I don't see why not?” Chris smiled. “And as we work on the castle, I'll start drawing out all the technical plans for the village.” Chris looked at Candy and Betty with caring eyes. “I know you don't want to wait until spring, but in the long run, you'll be happy you did. And I promise that this time next Christmas, we'll be open for business.”
“Well, if you say so,” Betty caved in.
Chris smiled. “Aunt Betty, a few days ago I suggested that you let only the people standing in this hangar work on the village. I talked to Peppermint about my suggestion, and he and I have both come to realize that it will be...smarter...if we hire some help. If I'm not mistaken, there are some capable electricians, carpenters, and plumbers in Pine Snow who will be able to lend a hand in areas that might slow us down.”
“I suppose so.” Betty nodded.
“Aunt Betty, don't look so sad.” Chris walked over to Peppermint. He put his arm around the man's shoulder. “Peppermint, along with the rest of us, is going to work hard to ensure the village and castle are ready by Christmas, and that also includes the toy factory.”
“That's right,” Peppermint promised Betty. “We're not going to sit around and wait for a group of contractors to do all the work. We'll do what we can.”
“Like put in a septic tank?” Betty asked.
“I've done it before.” Peppermint nodded. “Plumbing work is simple. It's like a jigsaw puzzle. You just have to figure out what pipes and lines you need.” Peppermint offered a warm smile. He tried to speak in a way Betty could understand without sounding too technical. “Now, while we wait for spring to arrive, we can start gutting the inside of this hangar and getting the place ready for spring. We can remove the pump and tear down the office.”
“And start drawing up plans for the toy factory,” Chris added in a cheerful voice.
“Well, it is almost Thanksgiving, and after that, it leaves us Christmas, which will arrive faster than you can blink an eye, and the winter months are very harsh. Maybe we should focus on inside work for now.”
“Ayo, that's a smart idea because the temperature in the ground can affect a foundation,” Ralphie pointed out. “It's better to build when the weather is warm because it gives the foundation time to settle. Cold weather makes things shrink. Heat expands.”
“This hangar already, like, has a foundation, duh.” Sandy rolled her eyes.
“Ayo, maybe so, but after the toy factory is built, the weight on the foundation will change. If you build when the ground is frozen, the weight might hold firm, but come summer, when the ground defrosts, the weight of the factory might cause the foundation to sink some. All this snow is going to melt and turn the ground real soft. It's best to wait and build when the ground is warm in order for the foundation to settle. That's my thinking anyway. I said what I said.”
Candy looked at Chris. He made anI'm impressedexpression. “Ralphie is right in a sense, Sandy,” Chris told her. “New weight can cause shifts in a foundation. Once a foundation is built and a certain amount of weight has been sitting on that foundation for a long period of time, the foundation and ground beneath will settle to the weight.” Chris tried to explain the technical points in terms Sandy could understand. “New weight...especially heavier weight, can cause the foundation to change. The concrete floor beneath our feet is solid and thick. But remember, beneath the concrete we're standing on is nothing but raw earth that has been smoothed out to make a spot for the foundation. Raw earth isn't stable.”
“I...guess maybe...Mr. Ayo made a good point.” Sandy frowned. “I'm not, like, a construction worker. I wouldn't know.”
“Well, once we see how much weight will be added to the foundation in question, we'll compensate for the extra weight. Too much extra weight can cause a foundation to crack, shift or even sink.” Chris looked at Ralphie. “You're one smart cookie, Ralphie. That was good thinking on your part.”
Ralphie beamed. “I ain't no dummy.”
“No, you're not.” Peppermint patted Ralphie on his shoulder. “But by the time we're finished building the toy factory, you will be covered with splinters and sores.”
“Ayo, a man has to do what a man has to do. I said what I said.” Ralphie flipped up the collar attached to his leather jacket.
“Like wearing a pair of goofy earmuffs?” Sandy asked.
“Huh...oh...” Ralphie quickly removed the pair of earmuffs Peppermint had given him. “Don't insult the earmuffs, Valley Girl.”
Sandy rolled her eyes. “You are dumber than a stale slice of pizza, like, totally.”
“Yeah...you're dumber than a dead...squid,” Ralphie fired back. “I said what I said. Botta bing!”
