[hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=steelblue]Ash Holloway[/color][/b][/i][/h1] [img]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a203/D__S/michael%20biehn/american%20dragons/tonyluca3.png[/img][/center] [hr][center][b]Location:[/b] Building [b]2[/b] (Mess Hall) -> Building [b]4[/b] Parking Lot (The Hordebuster) [/center][hr][hr] The interview process is a fairly short affair, individually. Each of the newcomers are asked their names and led to a room outside of the main area that served as a church office at one point in time. Instead of sitting in front of a desk, speaking with an established company man with suit and tie, the interviewees are given the option of where they wish to sit first and are eased into discussion with a few disarming queries as put forward by a strained military man in worn class Bs and a certified backwoods blackneck in overalls and cowboy hat. Much of this initial discussion dances around what they did before the outbreak. What their lives were like before the world imploded. It is apparent that some of the questions were scripted, understandably basic questions; ones reminiscent of job interviews from days past. Others are a bit more telling, leading the individual down a path of potential occupation inside the confines of Newnan. Still more questions take on the expectation of narrative, as the two of them (Ash mostly) ask that the new people tell them a story, interrupted only by the occasional follow-up question or interjecting comment. The goal was not so much to find the truth to their statements, so much as judge attitude of the story in general and, perhaps more importantly, find out what they [i]weren't[/i] saying. What a person doesn't want to talk about oftentimes was as important as what they did. There were occasions where Ash began to overreach in the conversation. The somewhat older, more easygoing James stepped in to lead the discussion in a mildly different tangent. At first, Ash assumed a look of annoyance when this would happen, but gradually settled into the fact that this was the exact reason he asked the man along in the first place. A times, the Captain steepled his fingers in front of him and leaned back slightly, letting the agriculturalist take over questioning. He was novice, but much more personable. Ash made observations, took mental notes, and did his best to appear reserved. [hr] [color=steelblue]"I'd like to thank you for cooperating with us. A point of good news: Sally will be giving you room assignments. They are spartan, but they are as safe as Newnan can provide. I would ask that you stay within the inner wall for the time being - your safety as well as ours - and to not wander around without escort. In case of an emergency, you know where the Infirmary is. If you want to leave in the morning, you are welcome to do so. Otherwise, I will let you know my decision then."[/color] [color=steelblue]"In the meantime, it's been a rough day. If anyone needs me or you three have any questions, I'll be in the back of the heavily modified dump truck out that way. Can't miss it."[/color] Ashton gestured to the members of the security detail still present, waving them off. Leaving the newcomers, they would take position elsewhere in the settlement proper or simply drop off of shift to pursue personal endeavors. James smiled and, as a counterpoint to Ash's impersonal demeanor, offered a casual [color=firebrick]"Evenin', ladies. Don't be strangers."[/color] With that, Ash and James left the Mess Hall, crossed the street, and climbed up the loading ramp leading into the body of the Hordebuster. Ash lit a hurricane lantern, its shaky, white-orange illumination spilling out the back of the vehicle. He noted the [i]box[/i] of liquors set inside, and made comment to James. [color=steelblue]"I should have been more specific about the booze, huh? Don't think I can run through a whole case."[/color] [color=firebrick]"Shit, I'll help!"[/color] quipped James, finding a comfortable place to settle on one of the couches nearby. Ash cracked a rare smile. [color=steelblue]"I'm sure you will."[/color] It had become a tradition of sorts - after a particularly taxing day, be it of good outcome or, like today, monumentally and arbitrarily tragic, Ash would climb into the back of his secondary home and crack open a bottle of something flammable and of decent quality. Either a celebration or a wake. Today was a wake, obviously. An optimist would mention that a wake was a [i]type[/i] of celebration, but James was the only optimist in sight and he knew better than to say anything just yet. Ash poured a small amount of his family's handiwork into two jelly jars and passed one to James. James took it gladly, offering a toast. [color=firebrick]"Absent friends?"[/color] It seemed to be the standard toast with which these things were kicked off, not to mention a simple toast of great military antiquity. [color=steelblue]"Absent friends."[/color] He wondered who would be showing up to this installment of "Inside The Hordebuster", as if it were a post-apocalyptic talk show centered around survivors and their personal idiosyncrasies while they discussed current affairs. [color=steelblue]"Well, let's get new business out of the way before unannounced guests arrive. Good?"[/color] [color=firebrick]"Cool."[/color] responded James, holding out his recently emptied jelly jar.