Dusty: Are you Penny?
Penny: Depends who wants to know.
Dusty: Dusty Laine – I heard you might have a job going.
Penny: I assume you’ll be putting a real name on your written application?
Dusty: It’s Darren.
Penny: Well, the advert’s going in next Thursday’s Echo – all the details will be in there.
Dusty: Adverts in papers are expensive, you could just interview me now, then you wouldn’t have to pay for the advert if you decided to give me the job.
Penny: Well – that’s true, but maybe someone better suited might want to apply! What makes you think you’d be the best candidate?
Dusty: I really need a job, I’d work hard and I wouldn’t let you down. I like working outdoors, and I’ll be happy to do all the crappy jobs that no-one else will want to do. I promise you wouldn’t ever regret it.
Penny: Hmm…I was hoping for a big strong lad to do some of the heavy stuff. You don’t look very robust, if you don’t mind me saying.
Dusty: If you gave me the job, I could afford to eat better, then I’d look healthier.
Penny: I’m not sure that’s really swaying me! Do you know anything about gardening? I’d like someone who knows their auricula from their elbow.
Dusty: I did half a degree course in horticulture at Kingston Maurward. Look, I’ll give you a free trial! Well, nearly free – a day’s work in return for a sandwich from your coffee shop.
Penny: For a day’s work, I could let you have a bowl of soup as well! Why half a degree course? Couldn’t you stick it out?
Dusty: I was in a bad accident. I’ll be honest, I’ve been drifting round a bit since then. But now I’ve got a really good reason to sort myself out. I need a steady job and I want to stay in the village for the foreseeable future.
Penny: Well…I don’t know why, but I’m going to say yes, you can have a trial run. But I’ll pay you properly for it. You want to start right away?
Dusty: That would be great! What do you want me to do?
Penny: I’m shifting the stuff from this corner, it’s turned into a bit of a dumping ground and I want to put some stands in. You can help me with that.
Dusty: No problem – ah – why are you looking at me like that?
Penny: Just looking at that health and safety hazard you’ve got on your head – don’t want to see that getting caught in the hedge trimmers…
