Hard hat area

"Do I need to wear a hard hat," I asked as I hiked over a pile of copper wiring and piping strewn across the dirt.

"No," he said. "At least, I don't think so."

He seemed unsure. And he was wearing a hard hat himself. But he sauntered past, pointing at the hundreds of holes in the ground, explaining the environmentally friendly construction plans.

My mind was more focused on not tripping in the ten-foot hole to my right and avoiding the trucks on my left.

At last, the project manager stopped in front a crumbling brick wall. He started explaining the unique aspects of the construction, how it’s environmentally friendly and progressive and a step forward in the “green” building movement.

Then, it rained.

My cheap, blue-ink pen seeped all over my notebook, as I subtly hinted that we should move under some cover so we could keep discussing the project.

“I’m sorry, what were you saying about the geo-thermal systems?” I said, my mind snapping back to attention.

“Well…” he spoke, but I missed it again. I just stared when he popped an umbrella that was in his briefcase and held it above his head, which was already protected by a hard hat.

Partway into his speech about recycled floor tiles, he noticed the architect standing with the foremen across the yard. He led me through the obstacle course again, though this time, in dodging some wood planks, my right foot squished in mud.

“Oops,” the project manager said. “I should have warned you about that.”