Hard Enough-Chapter 25: Shoring up the Gym

I was, all told, a huge fan of being lazy where possible. When I was hiring people there was a simple way to stick to this ideal.

I enlisted a local employment agency that managed most of my needs. Id used them in the past and gotten a number of good candidates. I actually found Dennis from them and most of the job seekers that use them were serious about their applications.

Most people were content with posting something on community notice boards and letting things take time. But I was from a time and place where you had access to things at your fingertips. So I had a local Job Agency recruited to help speed things along. I had to pay for the privilege of browsing resumes and getting access to the better candidates that were around.

But that just made them more professional in my mind. Plus, in all honesty, it wasnt all that much in terms of cost. but something about the Media Consultant role seemed to inspire people to act out. To be seen and heard.

Their resumes were all different fonts, colours and styles. They screamed personality-or lack thereof-to the reader, and after the third one, I had a rapidly developing headache.

Each persons information was screened before I received it. I only had some loose qualifications, which I hoped would simplify the process. I preferably wanted someone that had been local for at least a few years and, if not, I needed someone that had experience with modern facilities. While my gym was old in terms of how long it existed, it was new in facilities and with me at the helm.

I cut through a number of resumes. Some seemed to have been very pigeonholed with their experiences. People with experience in governments had bland, no-nonsense resumes that spoke of getting a message across and just that. They had a formula that could only be described as calculated when they wrote their resumes. I read one and then found I had for all intents and purposes read the next five available to me.

Their resumes all had a feel of being what was considered tried and true. They stuck with the conventions. Their resumes were stark with barren blank spaces to read and I almost found myself falling asleep a few times.

On the other end of the spectrum, younger consultants went overboard with colours and fonts, making a confusing mismatch of stimulus that occasionally made me wonder what I was reading.

Only one truly caught my eye and kept it.

A young girl with a range of different roles working in traditional media for Celadon Radio as a host. Until she had gotten in front of the camera. Now she was something that she referred to as a Social Pokenet Specialist.

Her resume had each segment alongside a photo of her working in the role with a diagonally cut picture of her. It almost read more like a life story than it did a resume except that each milestone was one of employment and development. In each picture she had herself smiling hugely.

I read and found myself watching a girl become a teenager, then into a young confident woman. I liked the way she had pictures of people in parts of her resume with a descriptor mentioning them by name if they were willing to be her reference.

It was heartwarming to see. It wasnt cold or formulaic but personal. By the end of the resume, I wanted to be part of her life story and possibly see pictures of myself among these others. She was certainly good at marketing herself.

When I asked about her to the employment agency though, they were baffled. They were still rather traditional in their methods and didnt see the appeal of her style or skills. For all that the world was easily on par or, in some areas, better than my previous life, they didnt have developed online media platforms yet.

They had Battlenet for pokemon battle videos, and a streaming website that was pretty much entirely cute pokemon, but they didnt have anything like Twitter, or Facebook. Hell, they didnt even have an MSN messenger equivalent.

But people did have Pokenet pages where they posted information and thoughts. The world was becoming more linked together. There was not yet a connection to Hoenn, and there might not be one for a number of years, but there were talks of Orange and Sevii being linked up soon.

This girl, therefore, was something of a revolutionary. I think Ill give her a call, I said to the employment agencys guide. I clicked a link on her webpage and was drawn into a gallery of photos of her posing with various pokemon and their trainers. She had a good eye for detail, and a rather expansive collection to display. She also had some nice landscape photos of Mt. Moon and the surrounding mountain ranges. She even had pictures of the Rota Kingdom.

I stared at those for a long time. I really wanted to go there. For so, so many reasons. Sadly my life had never, after my journey ended, allowed for me to spend the month it would take to have a dedicated pokemon acquisition trip up to Rota. As a Gym Leader, there would probably be a lot of scrutiny on me as well. I doubted Id just get to waltz up to them and walk around the Tree of Beginning, if I could even find it. It was somewhere in the forest in Rota but that wasnt as easy as finding Sunburst island or Grampa Canyon.

Oh! Well, thank you for your time Brock! Your account will be billed as per normal rates! Is there anything else we can do for you? The agent over the phone asked, jerking me back to the moment.

Oh! Sorry, got lost in one of her photos. I coughed, having gotten drawn into dreaming about all the pokemon that I could catch thatd be amazing for the Gym in Rota. I shook myself to return to what I was supposed to be doing. Namely, interviewing this woman. No, or Yes actually, put out an advertisement for a few weeks time. I think I might be expanding the Gym. Do up one for trainers looking for a berth for at least a year. I will have more to expand on later.

The results of your victory, hmmm? hummed the woman. I could hear her pen scratching away. Alright! Ill get a generic trainer ad set out like we used last time. Youll handle interviews?

Yup. If thats all? I asked. When they said it was, I gave my goodbye and hung up.

I dialled the number and a young womans voice answered. Hello, Rachel Raul here?

Hey, Rachel. Its Brock from the Pewter City Gym. Im in the market for a Media aide or well, a Public Relations Manager for the gym. Are you still interested in taking on an interview?

There was silence on the other end. I waited for a bit before coughing. Hello? Did the line cut out?

Brock? she asked, Brock from the Pewter gym?

Yes, I said back. I wanted to say a number of clever quips but decided to keep my mouth shut and remain professional.

This isnt a joke? You're calling me for a job?

An interview really. Id like to meet you and see what you could offer, and if youd be a good fit. Standard contract if you did take the job. Youd have a period to test things out but youd be paid for your time.

Oh, that would be wonderful She swallowed loudly enough it carried over the line. Uhm when would be good?

Whens good for you Now?! Nows great! I didnt even get the chance to finish as she blurted an answer at me.

I chuckled.

Im so sorry!

No, no, it's fine. Youre eager. Tell you what, its three now. Let me make up some snacks for my family then come around the back at five. I considered something. You are in Pewter right now, right?

Yeah! No worries, I can be there at five!

Awesome, Ill see you then.

I ended up opening the door and inviting her in when she arrived at four-thirty.

She had marched up well before even that. For a while I had only a vague awareness of someone walking around the front entrance. And then, a woman roughly twenty years of age hustled up along the hedge before peeking at the front door. Then she hustled back before starting to walk circles up and down the path. She had a folder in her hands which she continually flipped through as she walked.

I stopped cleaning up in the kitchen after my familys afternoon snack and watched her on my tiny projected transceiver screen. It wasnt obvious, but I did have cameras along the hedged path. When someone walked up I typically got an alert. Most of the time it was trainers, or my own family running up and down the front garden. I usually ignored it most of the time.

I watched her for a little while before stepping out the front door. I timed it well enough that I met her on the way back.

She continued to flip through her folder while muttering under her breath. If hes looking for

I decided to cut her off. Rachel, I presume?

Rachel snapped her head up. Her pink hair bobbed at the violent action and my eyes were drawn to the tips that were coloured like a rainbow. She hadnt had those in the last picture in her resume. Oh my gosh! Im sorryIm not crazy, I swear!

I merely snorted. No, I get it. Its an interview. Did you want to come inside and sit down? If you want we can start early I eyed her thick folder. Or you can continue to review your notes for another thirty minutes?

No! Let's do it right now! She said, like a man marching into the ring for a match with a Machamp. She seemed determined to move before her mind could catch up with any actions she had already committed to.

I decided to lead her into the kitchen. Thankfully there were only a few plates still dirty so it didnt look too sloppy. Rachel turned her head and looked over the room. Not in a critical way, but rather with an air of interest. She lingered on the hung-up finger paintings and the markings of height that featured near the pantry.

She relaxed slightly, and a smile formed on her face. She looked much better like this instead of manically working through her notes. When she noticed me watching her, she sat upright.

Sorry! I was just curious to see how a Gym Leader lived.

Not to worry. Its pretty much like everyone else. My home just has a lot more people than most I think. Her eyes flicked towards the family photo. She tilted her head after a moment as I saw a question form in her mind about the missing parental figures. That was rather telling. Youre not someone that grew up in Pewter, I take it?

She shook her head. Is that an issue? I moved here roughly two years ago.

Thinking of sticking around?

Well I was thinking of hanging on for a bit longer, but Pewter doesnt have the big businesses that need promoting. She waved her hand about. Its not a sleepy place, but its very relaxed I was hoping to find work here with maybe the museum, or with the local radio station? She waved her hand about, But they werent hiring so I took on some other jobs.

I nodded, glancing around for her resume that I had left somewhere. I remember reading that you were currently working as a waitress A resume was offered. I smiled, pleased that she had a spare ready to go.

The rest of the interview progressed from there. She was an interesting girl, and I made sure to express my interest in growing the Gyms Pokenet presence, which had her perking up. When I asked her to outline potential improvements for the perception of the Gym, she got a huge smile before reaching into her folder.

I remember when I had graduated from my degree I had issues with demonstrating how smart I was by saying everything and everything that was therenecessary or not. It was an issue of how Id been taught at university. You had to give a deluge of information; more was always better in the university setting was how Id been taught; especially for verbal questions. Sadly, in the medical setting that was very much the wrong thing to do to a client.

When Rachel began motor-mouthing how I could increase exposure and highlight all the wonderful facilities to get more local interest with battle clubs, hiring out the outside fields, having dedicated days for markets, or Come and Ceet events for the Gym, she spoke her words like she was a racer that had just seen an open track with a fueled car waiting for them.

She had other ideas as well, and I sat back allowing her to talk at me, instead of to me. She obviously had a lot to say, so I let her get it out of her system while jotting the ideas down as she spoke. I made a note to myself that Id probably have to ride herd on her if this sort of behaviour continued beyond her first few weeks. Still, as she spoke I noted the fire in her eyes. It wasnt a bad thing to have someone that was so passionate in the team. Most of us in the Gym right now were generally laid back in our approach. I could do with a firebrand go-getter to push us.

I held up both hands which saw her lurching as if she was crashing out. Alright, there are some good ideas I like here. I tapped the notepad. The starting salary is thirty thousand pokedollars. Thats if you require board and keep. Without, well give another ten, but you may still use the amenities whenever you need to.

Does does this mean you want to give me the job?

Of course, but youll need to pick out which office you Then she leapt across the kitchen bench and hugged me.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Oh! This is going to be amazing! I have so many ideas! She gushed into me.

I patted her on the back gently. Yeah, I sort of noticed. Well workshop some of those ideas, but for now, I think I better show you around.

I lead her toward the single-room apartments available to her with her contract. She looked it over before shaking her head. Apparently, she already had a fairly nice rental that she shared with a friend. She gaped at the facilities that were at the back of the gym, and got giddy when I showed her what amounted to a rather basic office that was still unfurnished.

Youll be right next to the Tauros pen, which is where most of the trainers complete reports for things like patrols, matches, pokemon training plans, and such. I pointed to a meticulous desk. Dennis sits there, I then pointed towards a much morerelaxed desk. That one is Rockos. If you have questions and cant find me youll need to talk to either of them as theyre senior trainers.

This is so awesome! She gushed before coughing into her fist and standing up primly. So! Is there anything that youre looking for me to focus on, specifically?

I chewed my lip. As I mentioned earlier, I mostly want you to help push a positive public image and keep it that way. Ive been noticing some channels being much more critical of our Gym. I thought I should get someone to help me handle media appearances.

Cool, want to get on a talk show? Thats a good way to get your voice out there and can stop things from being negative or too fantastical.

Not really? I said, not enjoying the idea of parading about while understanding that it was probably the best option. I just didnt enjoy that, at all.

You may as well capitalize on your fame Brock. She grasped the air in front of her, then exploded it outwards, Youre the hot topic and I think it would be a good idea to get out and talk about your experiences. You hired a Public Relations Manager with me! And Im going to make sure people love you! She wiggled a little as she said it.

I couldnt help but chuckle at how she had, in the space of a few hours, gotten over her nerves. She was certainly pitching ideas with gusto.

So, my advice is to get on some radio and a talk show and discuss whats happening, and maybe even what this will mean for the Gym! She tilted her head. What are you going to do with the money, if its alright to ask?

I rubbed my chin. Well I was thinking of developing the stable area, and hiring on another trainer to handle pokemon raising so that more locals can get affordable stabling options for their journey.

Do you not like the larger corporate stables?

I prefer having the smaller, more intimate ones that grow naturally. I typically add in time with myself and advise trainers that rent stables from the Gym.

What are your current caps for trainers that rent stables with you? How many pokemon can they each have on their team before you wont take them on?

Currently I have eight stable slots free for the next circuit but I want to grow that to fifteen by the time the circuit comes around. Each trainer has a capacity to store twelve pokemon with us for a team of eighteen in total unless they can earn an increased carry limit.

Rachel snorted at that and I nodded, agreeing with her. I only got the increased limit due to being a Gym Leader. Anything else new for the Gym? She asked as she wrote down notes on the stable expansion. She underlined a fifteen before glancing up.

More pokemon for the gym. Right now we dont have any pokemon to stabilize injuries that occur. I clenched my jaw, remembering a match that had gone wrong in all the worst ways last year.

I now had a small plot in the local cemetery for my pokemon.

I want to fix that by buying a Chansey the next time they come up for auction. Rachel whistled at that. I nodded tightly. With the League supplying all pokecentres with the pokemon there was always a set price that Chansey would never dip below. Sometimes hospitals looked to add them to their own rosters as ready-to-go nurses and support staff.

You needed to be ready to drop a few million if you wanted a Chansey.

Im also going to put out a bounty for Corsola, and Relicanth.

Corsola are little rockfish pokemon, yes? Rachel asked. I nodded. What about Relicanth?

Theyre actually pokemon that have survived since ancient times, and they still swim the oceans. So it is possible to find them all over the world, like Wailord and Sharpedo, but Well, they typically only swim around in extremely deep water, which makes them much harder to find. Id like to get one for the gym, but Im expecting that one to take a while. I hummed in thought. Id also like some Bonsly.

Rachel flicked through her folder with a frown. Dont you already have a Sudowoodo?

I do but Id like to have Bonsly for more options in the lower-tier fights. My Sudowoodo is great in my four badges or higher brackets, I want to have more diversity with lower-tier pokemon instead of Geodude, Rhyhorn, Onix, and the rare Aron making up my challenges.

Oh wow, didnt know it could get that strong.

Most pokemon can get that strong, I said, which made her flick her gaze up.

She stared at me long and hard. When she spoke she did so with a tone of faint surprise. Huh, you really believe that?

I think it depends more on the training methods and the trainer. Any pokemon, or person, can rise. It's one of the best things about the world we live in. I glanced ahead as I said that remembering how far Id come since my initial arrival.

Rachel stayed silent for a while as we continued our tour of the gym. Eventually, she spoke up and resumed the conversation where we had left it. Huh, well I might use that for something later with regards to you.

Hmmm? I asked, not understanding the non-sequitur.

Never mind. Instead, how about I write up a press release for the Gyms website to announce whats coming up soon? It would be better to hear all of this from your own mouth! Can I tentatively feel out some talk shows for you to appear on?

Sure.

Cool, people will love to hear about you getting pokemon like these!

Ah, I had two others I was also going to acquire. She perked up. Im going to order an Eevee for my family and a Scyther I feigned a sheepish look. For myself.

Are you secretly a bug lover? she said in amusement before shaking her head to show that the question was rhetorical. Boys and their Scythers. That pokemon has to be the most popular around, I swear. She grinned. Definitely tell people about that, cause there are tons of kids and adults that would love to hear about you having a cool pokemon like that.

I smiled at her innocently, like butter wouldnt melt in my mouth.

Scyther had always been a pokemon that Id wanted on my team.

But, I had another reason. Scyther, it turned out, had a rock-type evolution available to it. Id sat down and put words on paper about potential pokemon that could be complimentary for my future candidacy as Pewter City Gym Leader before my journey. I hadnt been able to acquire one during my journey, and I hadnt been able to justify buying one before this. Now I could pass it off as a whim. Something chunni even.

Once I had it, I just needed some Black Augurite. Then itd all come together.

Before she left I held up a hand. You wont be expected to fight but do you own any pokemon? Part of being an employee of the Gym is that you have a full team roster allowance and the pokemon can receive care and food from us.

Rachel perked up. I hadnt known that! I can get my Growlithe and Magnemite sent over from my mothers house! I chuckled at her enthusiasm to have her pokemon returned to her.

What do you have these days?

Just my Persian.

Alright, well from now on always keep at least two pokemon on you in case people try to hassle you when you come in or out of the Gym, alright?

She shot me two thumbs up. Got it! Oh! I cant wait to post about this! People reading my blog are going to be so impressed! This is great! Rachel trotted off after that, her documents signed and ready to start in the next few days.

Trouble, it turned out, came in twos. The morning after I had hired Rachel I received another knock on my door just after breakfast.

This time when I opened it, I found a man I could only describe as a bespectacled accountant. He wore a plain white shirt with a pen and calculator in his top pocket. To his side, a black briefcase sat at his feet. The tie around his neck was played with once before he moved his hand upward to adjust his spectacles.

Good morning Gym Leader Brock! I am from the Inspection agency!

I noticed the lack of a given name. For some reason, I didnt doubt his words. This man seemed to enjoy acting as a faceless number. Merely one in a crowd that you wouldnt think of any more than a second if you passed him in the street. This man was more of a minion. Or perhaps he was more like a wheel in the machine?

I was already audited by NuAgent Joy less than a week ago. I pointed out reasonably.

The man chuckled and patted the briefcase by his side. Im afraid this is rather different from Agent Joys audit. This is an audit of your financial credibility. I am here to look over your books! As they say? He said the last with a little tilt of his head and a smile as if to soften the blow of my stomach plummeting through the floor.

I was no crook but this man was dangerous.

My mind instantly leapt to a plausible excuse. Dont I have to see a written warrant first?

It was a shot in the dark. A statement that was so flimsy anyone would scoff at it surely. It was only a technicality. Anyone would see that I clearly had no idea what I was talking about. Id read through Flints old notes, and hed never mentioned anything about having his accounts looked through!

To anyone else, the tissue-thin paper excuse would have been ignored.

This man paused, and inspected the words that were spoken. He blinked in surprise before nodding. Ah! You didnt receive a weeks notice? Well, that is a problem. Hmmm. He readjusted his spectacles in an idle gesture as he considered this issue.

Ah! I know! I shall reschedule for next week! Thereby giving you the weeks notice. He checked his watch and nodded to himself. Very well then! It is nine am, Tuesday. I shall return in seven days. Please accept this as verbal notice that you are being audited. He handed me a business card. If you wish to reschedule for an earlier time you may contact me on this number!

Can I reschedule for never? I said before I could really stop the words escaping my mouth.

The man blinked at me before bursting out into laughter like the very idea was ludicrous. Like Id just said a marvellous joke. He waggled a finger at me. Oh! That was very good, yes! I shall return in seven days! he bobbed on the spot, collected his briefcase and strolled off.

I stared after him, gobsmacked at what had just happened. Then I mechanically shut the door.

I stared at it for a long minute before turning and sprinting into my office.

No running! called Yolanda before realizing it was me. Brock? Whats wrong?

I turned on my computer and began to scroll through my accounting software. Yolanda! Were getting audited!

Uhm? You already did bro?

No! This is worse! This auditor is a Bureaucrat!

That doesn't sound that scary? Yolanda gave me a look that conveyed just how little she knew of the world and the monsters that lurked within it. I gave her a forlorn little shake of the head.

Oh, youre so young Yolanda. She looked perplexed. I shook a finger at her. When you get the chance to, ask the Mayor or any adult about dealing with bureaucrats! You watch what they say! Okay? Just trust me, theyll understand!

Alright? she said, her tone laced with dubiousness. She watched me for a bit as I sighed in relief before I turned away from the computer to rifle through a filing cabinet. Can I help in some way?

I had no remorse as I pulled another stack of files and slammed them onto the table. Go through that and pull out anything that even vaguely mentions Mt. Moon! I dont want that place getting skimmed over at all!

Yolanda nodded, suddenly serious. Forrest might have been the last of my siblings to go with me to Mt. Moon, but Yolanda had been there first and returned with me the most out of all my siblings. Id known shed love seeing the Clefairy. She understood that secret, but also understood that it wasnt something to be simply given out. Thankfully I had only vaguely mentioned one other secret in my personal logs.

Now I just needed to find them. When I had gone through two sections of the filing cabinet I stopped for a break. Yolanda got me a cup of tea but I couldnt relax. I needed to work through this issue instead.

I opened a pad.

This was a new method of attacking the Gym. I didnt have to wait for a third strike on my interests to lock in the persons actions as enemy action. Id need to review a few of my other interests just in case something else was quietly being pulled out from under my nose. This new avenue was rather telling though. I jotted down my thoughts. Using bureaucratic actions meant that they had some pull.

I liked to think that this ruled out any of the Elite Four. As trainers, surely they wouldnt try this method to damage me? I chewed my lip while my eyes swept over another document.

My understanding of Bruno ruled him out as a straightforward person but then again how much did I really know about him? He could be using a persona for the media. It was unlikely, but still possible.

Lorelei was a straight-laced trainer. An Ice-type user.

That was all I had on her. I jotted Not enough information under her name as well.

Agatha had reached out to me to seemingly recruit me but was that part of this? I remembered her being shady in the manga but not how bad it was. She was an enemy to the main cast in some form, wasnt she? Wasnt Lance as well? Shed bear watching. I had a potential avenue to gain more information on her through her recruitment pitch.

I suddenly had a lot of unease over the offer.

I pushed the thought away for later examination.

There wasnt currently a fourth active Elite four member as when Lance had ascended to challenge for the champion position there had been an older Johto trainer by the name of Shafner. He had been a trainer that specialised in flying-type pokemon.

Lance had beaten him with one pokemon in his Charizard alone. Shafner had announced his retirement directly after the loss. I remember watching that and being surprised before feeling sad for the older man. His devastating loss had only sped up Lances ascension to Champion.

Shafner had retired entirely from the public, announcing that he felt he no longer had what was needed to meet the new challenges.

He hadnt been seen since, and Lance still had to fill the spot.

Lance. Lance, I wanted to dismiss.

I felt I had a good read from him after fighting him. He was a straightforward sort of guy that had loads of power in his hands with his team. That was actually likely to grow after I had defeated him with a more robust roster becoming available. That would only grow as more regions became accessible. I could count a few that would soon appear such as Salamence, Flygon, and Aerodactyl. I made another note to reach out to Lance before considering that. Did I want to empower him if I had been wrong in my assessment? I rubbed my forehead in annoyance.

I was forgetting someone who Blaine. Blaine had been one of the Elite Four prior to Shafner. Hed been there since the union of Kanto and Johto to form the Indigo League. Now only Agatha remained. I had a vague understanding of the man but I knew he was a researcher, known for his work on Cinnabar island along with his aggressive battling styles. I didnt think I had done anything to draw his ire.

He had been at my match with Lance.

As had Giovanni which instantly made me think of his attachments.

I frowned as I recalled seeing both of them there at the start of the match only for them not to be there at the halfway mark or the end. That had seemed so insignificant at the time Was I jumping at shadows though?

Perhaps it was true what they said. You shouldnt succeed unless you are willing to deal with the issues that come with success. I certainly hadnt been expecting this as a result. The money and increased fame? Yes, those I had prepared for. somewhat.

The sudden acts against me from the League though?

Never even entered my mind. Id been expecting acts or raids from

I jotted another note down. I needed to be more active with Team Rocket. Id have to set some serious time aside into considering what I could do about them. They also potentially had the reach into the League necessary to instigate this. I was well travelled and read enough to know that you didnt become a major criminal organization without setting people into power that looked out for your interests.

Brock, arent you supposed to be looking through these files as well or did you want me to do your job for you? Yolanda said, cutting through my thoughts.

I glanced at her work and was impressed with her work ethic. Shed already gone through several stacks and cleared them of anything with Mt. Moon in them. I added those to my pile and got back to work.

In the end, I had a few small documents that reference my ownership of a very specific section of land. Yolanda eyed the deed. Whats there? Is that where the Clefiary meet up?

No, that's protected land. The Rangers made sure of that years ago.

Oh, Yolanda said, sad that the secret wasnt something limited to just our family. I patted her on the back before she looked at me. What is that deed of land for then?

Its a surprise, I said, bopping her on the nose. She grumbled at me before gesturing at the documents.

So are you hiding these away?

I shook my head. I think I need to speak to my lawyer first.

You have a lawyer? she asked.

Yeah, I do. Got one after well, Dad, you know? She nodded, her face falling into shadow. I continued. Well anyway, I need one now, cause I had no idea I could get the man to go away by saying I hadnt been notified beforehand.

Weird, Yolanda said. I nodded, still unsure how things had gotten to the stage that someone had sent the pokemon world equivalent of an IRS agent after me Or was it that I needed to talk to a lawyer for help?

Life was weird.

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