The office was like an ice freezer. It was extremely cold even when Maple was wearing a suit. The office was dimly lit, unlike other offices which are bright and have floor-to cieling windows. The room had minimalistic furnitures. However, there were stacks of papers, more like Eiffel towers, around the room. In the beginning, Maple assumed their was no one in the office and relaxed. But, suddenly she was tapped on her shoulder from behind. She turned and jumped back shrieking. Later, she realized it was Mr. Black. She took a deep breath, composed herself and said, "Good Morning Sir"
Mr. Black: Hmm...morning
Mr. Black in his stoic face: We don't have time for dilly dallying. Do you see that far right corner stack?
Maple: Yes, sir
Mr. Black: I would like you to go through those and familiarize yourself with the details of that project, and give me a 10 page summary. Since, its your first time working, I will give you a week. But, the work should be commendable with little to no errors.
Mr. Black: You can either settle tgeir in the corner or you can take that gigantic stack of papers to your new desk. Your wish.
Maple was dumb founded at the sight of this huge stack of papers. She was losing all her will. Maple began chanting her mantra, "One step at a time...one step at a time....I can do this.."
Maple carried the gigantic Burj Khalifa stack papers back to her desk. Atleast her desk was near the window, and had plenty
of light coming in unlike a dark room where monsters would gather.
She began going through the stack of papers. She learned about what type of project she will be assisting Mr. Black on. The project was about minimizing the packaging size of various food packages to shrink the amount of food that is put inside one particular packet. There were many advantages and disadvantages of this strategy to the company.
Advantages:
1. Cut back on labor costs.
2. Cut back on distribution costs.
3. Still able to keep company healthy.
4. Create a better image for our company since we are minimizing food wastage.
Disadvantages:
1. Can do it only so many times before consumers notice and lose faith.
2. Hard to accurately measure price changes or inflation.
3. Design restraints and tight deadlines that company workers have to meet without incentives might lead to labor shortage in the company.
Things to be cautious about for the project:
1. How much amount of food inside the paket should be cut down.
2. How far can we cut down on our packaging without gaining consumer distrust.
3. Would changing the design interfere with how much space it covers on the shelf, and thus making consumers suspicious.
Maple was diligently working through the stacks of paper, analyzing them, writing some key points that would be useful. Since it was first time working on such project, she also had some questions regarding it. So, she would just go on google and search related stuff to gain some insight and continue working. Although the speed was slow, she was trying her best. And just like that her 1st day came to an end. Her brother came to pick her up after she had called him.
Mango (Maple's brother): Yo sis! How was your first day?
Maple: Truly exhaustive. I never thought working could be hard. This is a new experience for me.
Mango: Ho..ho..my 'genius' sister is having trouble with something. This is the first.
Maple: Its not troubling. I just need a few days to get into the rhythem and then I would be able to conquer this challenge.
Mango: Ha!! Everything is just a challenge to you. Anyway...Are you up for a different and exciting challenge tonight?
Maple: I know what you are thinking. No way!
Mango: is my genius sister scared now??
Maple: How dare you say that even after losing so much money to me.
Mango: Don't worry...this time we will be on the same team. We will be competing against some great players. Plus the prize money is 50,000 yen. What do you say? Split 50-50?
Maple: My foot!! I will be the one doing all the hard work. The split should be 70-30. But, since you are my brother, I will give you special offer of 60-40. Deal?
Mango: Oh God! I am the one who goes scouting new competitions for you and register you under a fake avatar. I also make arrangements for you to keep your identity a secret.
Maple: Well, it is not wrong to participate in adult competitions even when you are young. It is also just a new experience. Plus mysteriousness just gains you more fans and job offers which ultimately makes your scouting job easier.
Mango: Fine...fine. I don't even know why I am arguing with a bull in first place.
Maple: What did you just call me?
Mango: Nothing. Just take some rest and close your eyes. You need to be in optimal condition to compete today. It will take around 4 hrs. to reach. Don't worry about mom and dad. I told them we both will be going to watch a game. They told me they were fine with it as long as you were not tired.
Maple: zzzz....zzzz
Mango mumbled: gosh! How tired was she to just go to sleep. I hope she performs well today though.
After 4 hrs... Mango parked the car and waked Maple up.
Mango: Maple wake up...wakie...wakie... we have arrived at our destination.
They both got out of the car and walked towards a big ovular stadium which looked alot like a cricket stadium from outside. But, make no mistake because the big words written on top, "Ching Ching racing track" made it clear to everyone that it was the most famous, dangerous, and popular car racing track.