Apocalypse: Reborn System

Chapter 10: Inside the trunk, part 2

We head back into the manor to continue to explore. We stick to a group and go check out what looks to be the offices and meeting rooms area. They are all generally the same; they have a giant desk of differing colors, they have a couple of bookcases that match the desk's color, there are a few armchairs in front of the desk, and a couple of deep comfy seats near a fireplace. The meeting rooms look like what you would see in a business meeting room; a long table with 16 office chairs on wheels, a projector screen with projector, and a whiteboard with markers.

We checked out the ballroom which was set up with a surround sound system with changeable lights. It could be used for events as well as dancing. It was a giant room that could be held for base meetings if we had to. I needed to add foldable chairs and tables to my list of things to get to make sure we have what we need. I have noticed that all the rooms have the big furnishings, but they are missing the small items; pens, paper, wastebaskets, books for the bookcases, markers, highlighters, those kinds of things. It is all going on a mental-to-get list, or more accurately, I am making a list of what businesses I need to visit to purchase all the things I need.

We finally found Newt’s shop area. It was set up in one of the larger rooms. He grabs the engraving tools set and goes back outside to set up all the animal water bowls and tanks. We even make plans to build a big pond and fill it with fish to the left of the house. We even toss out the idea of building a saltwater pond and filling it with seafood. We would need construction equipment though for something of that scale.

So far, I know I need to visit a construction equipment company, a fish dealer, an office supply store, an electronics store, a kitchen supplies store, a bookstore, a home store to pick up towels, washcloths, bedding, hangers, and those kinds of things. I should consider future guests and things that may be needed for future residents. So, a baby and toy store later needs to be added. Pets and pet supplies are another consideration we need to plan for. I also realize I am missing something important: I need specific people as residents; a biologist, a DNA scientist, an environmentalist, a couple of doctors, a few nurses, veterinarians, a librarian, schoolteachers, college professors, and so much more, but first my friends’ families.

We finish exploring the manor then head back to my and Lydia’s house for lunch. We eat chicken Caesar salads with a zucchini soup. I mention the things I noticed and my concerns about specific resident needs, future needs, and all the crazy thoughts running through my head. “We will need to expand the trunk internal size. Also, we will need to consider getting a lot of building materials to make houses for future residents. We will also need to wipe out multiple stores, which will be expensive.

The first thing I plan on doing tomorrow is to call both my bank and my parents and grandparents estate lawyers. I may actually see if I can persuade them to join us,” I think aloud, “They have been good to my family, and I don’t know what happened to them, but likely they perished during the apocalypse. I think we need to reach out to coworkers who we are friendly with. We need to start recruiting ahead of time. Lydia, do you know of the doctors we would need and if you could sound them out for us? Do you also know where to purchase medical equipment and supplies in bulk? I know we will need vaccines and things against normal stuff. We are going to need to build a hospital and school in the trunk for sure.”

“I have a few contacts in the hospital and surrounding area that I can ask over and recommend they bring their entire families, including their pets,” Lydia says.

“Please do, if you can schedule the meet up for Thursday or Friday. Also, anyone, if you know of any professionals, please reach out to them and coordinate with Lydia about a meeting day. I want as many professionals as possible. Think of everything; construction workers, architects, people who fix the medical equipment, electricians, plumbers, general maintenance people for household items. Basically, anyone we could absolutely need here in the trunk,” I say, “We will need all the help we can get.”

“Newt, can you work with me about scheduling the other people you want to invite over? I would like to talk to your group with Oliver’s and Lydia's families on Tuesday afternoon. So, while we deal with immediate family, but before dealing with everyone else. I think we should schedule other friends on Wednesday afternoon, before dealing with the other people that are essentially semi-strangers,” I explained my thinking process.

We should also get another covered truck and return to the building supplies store. We will need a lot of houses and a few important buildings created, so we will definitely need the wood,” Oliver says.

So, we made plans and headed out. Oliver took the lead this time and once we got to the store, immediately requested for someone who deals in bulk buying. He explained it away as he planned to build a bunch of houses on a plot of land he had bought for his friends. And wanted to know how big of an order he could make with all the supplies involved. The manager just about squealed, and you could practically see the dollar signs in his eyes. Oliver essentially set up the order for 45 houses that were 6 bedrooms each, 4 bathrooms, a 3-door garage, 3,500 sq ft (about the area of a tennis court). Basically, a bigger home that could potentially house a lot of people if we need to. Oliver paid the total running in the 8-digit range. We set it up that supplies would start arriving on Thursday and would be dropped off in the area behind my house.

With that settled, we decided to go back to Stellar’s and stock up again. We decided to get multiple carts and explain it as the family reunion had been extended for two weeks now, and we had a lot more yes answers than we had been expecting. We stuck to the basic bulk items for the first set of shopping carts; the second cart was more for the miscellaneous small items. We stocked up on 12 carts, and I paid this time, which wiped me out of a good chunk of change. $7,639 for this shopping trip. We then head to the covered truck and while loading the truck, I loaded up the trunk with the cold stuff so it wouldn’t get damaged or spoiled on the way home.

We get home, and Lydia suggests packing up the non-essential stuff of our house into the trunk. That way, it will be easier to officially move in when we need to and don’t need to worry about the trivial things. I agree, so we start packing up everything that wasn’t major furniture, like the beds, couches in the living room and the items absolutely necessary for day-to-day living. Once done, we have a quick dinner of spaghetti and cheesy bread, then go to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a terribly busy day.