Striding through the wide streets of Rampart, Marcus Williams carried himself with a weary self confidence. The middle-aged man's battered suit fit him well, and gray hairs were the even of black on top of his head. His face, once handsome, was now wrinkled and covered in tumorous-looking growths. Squinting his eyes against the blowing winds, he walked towards one of the various outbuildings used as housing for the inhabitants of his town.

Various other figures waved at him, and he greeted them in turn. However, his mind was not focused on those around him. Instead he focused on the person he was about to meet with, a certain Amelia Cross. He had quick business with her, mostly something to pass the time until he had to teach his evening class. The woman was well known in the town as a plumber and electrician, and was Head of Utilities for the settlement. She also held one of the five seats in the City Council, representing the Trades Union, and was thus considered the most powerful woman in Rampart. She was also one of his former students; He recalled teaching her for several years fondly. Amelia Cross was a doer, and would accomplish anything her mind was set on.

Reaching the overhead door to her home and workshop, Williams knocked twice before stepping back to await her answering. Amelia responded moments later, pulling up on the garage door and revealing her seemingly trashed residence. The only hints of it being a home were the battered futon and hot plate in one corner, beside a small stack of jarred foods. Consuming the rest of the outbuilding were tables and workbenches covered in plumbing and electronics parts, old tools, and seemingly unrelated knick knacks. Nodding at each other, they both stepped inside, the younger woman leaving her door open. She wore a sweater and a pair of overalls, along with a pair of beaten up boots. Her auburn hair was flat and dry looking, but overall she was more attractive than almost any woman he'd seen since the the bombs had dropped. 

Marcus stood patiently while Amelia finished her work on a small electronic, soldering together a number of tiny components. At a glance the elder man couldn't tell what purpose it held, although it appeared to be simple in function. The woman finished quickly, before turning her attention to her former teacher. "How's it going old man? This visit for business, or is it personal?" She asked, turning again to busy herself with some small tasks.

"Well, to answer your first question, I've actually been doing rather well. I'm actually enjoying the weather, I can feel my fingers without having to wear gloves," he grinned, Amelia returning one as she busied herself. "However, this is a business visit, with perhaps some time for a personal visit afterward if you're free."

Amelia raised her eyebrow at Marcus, smirking. "Mister Williams, I always have time for a quick visit from you. After all, you gave me that small stepping stone I need to leap to greatness!" she exclaimed, twirling quickly before settling down to sit on one of her benches. "But if you've got to, we can settle any business we need to. Is it serious?"

"No, I wouldn't say serious," Williams began. "I just need you to have a look at some things. I've been receiving a few complaints about the electricity cutting in and out at the community library, to the point that it's interrupting some student's studies. There's also an issue with the plumbing at the hydro plant.."

Cross groaned, an exasperated look crossing her face. "The hydro plant's plumbing is such a bitch! It's always flooding whenever the river rises even an inch, and it always smells like stagnant water! Why can't you get another poor plumber to work on that damned thing?" she cried. Marcus could only roll his eyes and grin at her antics.

"Amelia, you know you're the only one qualified to deal with the hydro plant. It's the heart of our settlement, and I don't want to take any risks on this," he explained to her, although he knew the woman already knew that. "You're the best I have, you know that. I need both jobs done as soon as possible, preferably starting with the plant." He was met with another obnoxiously loud groan as the woman seemingly dragged herself off her bench.

"Well, I suppose it would be best to save the best for last. Looks like I have a lot of work to do now, I don't think I'll have time for that personal visit. Thanks a lot, boss," she deadpanned, as she began gathering certain tools into a bag and grabbed one of her larger boxes. Marcus could only continue to smile. Amelia truly was one of his star students; One of the few he could count on.

"Don't be a stranger, Cross. Visit more often, it gets boring always sitting in my study. Make sure everything gets done, and I'll see you tonight for the meeting," he called out as he began walking away. He smirked at the exclamation of 'Fuck, that's tonight!?' and continued on. He had to finish grading a number of his student's answers from the previous lesson, and also improve the lesson plans for next week. He would be busy until class time, and then immediately afterwards he had a Council Meeting. Sighing, he condemned himself to a day of paperwork and bureaucracy.