Book2:KigdomIteDreams (第193/246页)

deverythingontothetwoemptytruckstohaulthemawaytothedumpsite.Brandnewdesign,braylinganddecorationweresuretnewlifetotheoldbuildingandgiveitaface-liftthatwouldamazeandastonishallbeholders.Sevetopnotchartisanswerehardatwork.Someweretakingmeasurementsofeverythingfromcurtains,walls,ceiling,windowsandfloors.Electriswereexaminingtheaelectricalwireswhichhadbeeninusefordecadesandwouldoberepced.Plumbersbroughtinshiningcrystalbathfixtures,eboratelycarvedached.Thedesignerwaomaketheapartmentintoaworldofcrystal,sothebathtubs,basinsahetoiletsweremadeofthatmaterial.

    Atthreeo’clocksharpwhenworkatthebakerywasjustwindingdown,Mr.Kaffee,Big-O,RichardandJamazarrived.TheolddwarfMickyofcoursealsotaggedalongashewouldneverwillinglymissainggathering.Dimitriledeveryoheyarddoorandtoldthemofhispn.Mr.KaffeebroughtoverachairforDimitriandthenheandBigOstoodbehindthechair.Theolddwarffoundalowstoolsomewhere,putitrightoDimitri’schairandsatdowohim.Dimitribentdowntothedwarfandasked,

    “Yousaidwehaveknowneachotherfes.youtellmeyourname?”

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    “TheycallmeolddwarfMicky.Ilikethename.YoucallmeDwarfMicky,butdon’tadd‘old’toit.Ihatethewordold.”

    “Good!DwarfMickyitisthen.FromnowonIwillcallyouDwarfMicky.”

    “Ilikethatname!”ughedthedwarf.“Ireallylovethatname.Ireally,reallylovethatnamevery,very,verymuch!”hetedwhileghishands,stampinghisfeetandnoddinghisheadincessantly.HisearandicalexpressionsauresandirrationallyemotionaloutburstscausedDimitriandhisfriendstoburstintoughter.DwarfMicky’sbrighteyesrolledaroundeverywhereandshowedgreatiintheworkoftheseveskilledworkmen.Richardknewquiteabitaboutelectricityandwassoondrawntothecrewrewiringthehouse.Hetalkedshopwiththemingustoandevenjoiheirwork.Jamazhowever,wasnotagoodhandyman,sohewenttohelpcarrythematerials.Verymuchimpressedwiththeirexpertise,DwarfMickytookoutawadofhundreddolrbillsandwalkedintothehousesaying,

    “Heyguys!Gooodwork!”Hewentaboutgivingoutcash,pressinghundreddolrbillsintothehandsofeveryworkerintheroomsaying,

    “Gobuysomewine.”WhenhecametoIke,thedesigner,hestillhadhalfthewadofcashleft.Heweohimandsaid,

    “Areyoutheheadmanhere?Yoodmanandgood-looking,too.OnlyIdon’tknowwhetheryouareamanorawoman.Butitdoesn’tmatter.Takeallthis.It’sallyours.”Ikewastakenabaddidn’tknowwhethertoacceptthemoneyornot.

    “It’sOK.Takeit”saidDwarfMicky.“It’sabonusfromtheboss”pointingtothebackyard.IkelookedoutandsawDimitrisittingintheyardwearingoldclothes,anolive-coloredsafarihatandholdingawhiteeinhishand,evidentlyablindman.

    “Couldhebetheboss/”hewondered.AnoldermanaroundsixtyyearsoldinagreysuitwhostoodbehindDimitrismiledathimandnoddedhishead,indigitwasalrighttotakethemohatmanlookedlikeabigshot.IkeputthemoneyinhispocketandtookastepforwardintendingtogooverandthankDimitri.Buttheoldermanshookhisheadasiftosay,“Don’teover.It’snotnecessary.”Ikestopped.Mr.KaffeebentdownandsaidtoDimitri.

    “ThatdesignerIkewaoeoverandthankyou.Isignaledhimnottodoso.”Dimitriimutedbythegenerosityoftheirboss,theworkersworkedonevenmoreeically.Justhen,Richardcamedow