Part 7: Coverage of Employees

I walked back through the garage for the last time. It seemed like a long time ago that I first came through. I looked around just to make sure nothing else was here, but the coast was clear.

As soon as I reached the main part of the parking area, I headed straight for my car. Lucky for me, this area seemed completely untouched, and my car was sitting exactly as I left it. After placing my report securely in the trunk, I quickly got in the front and drove back through the ramp.



All of the crates were still in the way, and the gate was still broken. I remembered how severe I thought of these hazards when I first found them. If only I'd known what they signified beyond.

At last, I pulled out of the ramp, and came around the mountain for one final look.



Ah, Black Mesa. The next time I see you will be too soon.

As I drove towards Albuquerque, I thought about everything I'd seen. I would file a complaint at the capitol, and hopefully they would forward it to whichever jurisdiction was responsible for approval. Then, once code enforcement received my complaint, I would head back to Washington and file my report, making sure Black Mesa received a citation for their gross violations of Regulation 1910.

I began thinking pretty deeply, but the sound of a police siren suddenly brought me back. I must not have been watching my speed!

I pulled over on the side of the road, and a white van pulled up behind me. I noticed that the van didn't have any siren on top. It must be a squad car.



This shouldn't be too bad. All I needed to do was explain to the officer that I was a Compliant Safety and Health inspector who needed to file a report quickly for a major violation. The police would let a government employee go, right?

The officer opened the door to the van and stepped outside. Suddenly, I realized that this person wasn't the police at all! I recognized their suit and briefcase, even from several yards away.



It was my supervisor!

He slowly walked up to my car, gazing at me with a familiar look I knew very well. Perhaps things could turn out better than I expected! With my supervisor here, some real action could happen fast.



Greetings. I trust everything went… according to plan?

Sorry, I wasn't expecting you to be here. You have NO idea what I went through. I found NUMEROUS violations of regulation 1910 subparts D, E, H, and S. Furthermore, the structure of Black Mesa is highly unstable and needs to be condemned. I've detailed all of this in my written report.

Ah yes… well done. The report is complete, then?

Almost. I just need to mark a few more things, especially about the structure. I'm actually on my way to New Mexico code enforcement right now to file a complaint.

Jussssst give me the report, and all will be… taken care of.

You're willing to file it for me?

I can assure you that… everything will take care of itself.

I went back to the trunk to get the report. I though it odd that my supervisor would travel all the way out here from Washington. Normally I take care of filing the paperwork, although I'd never dealt with something this severe before. I needed all the help I could get.

I got out the report and handed it to my supervisor. The moment the report touched his hand, everything went dark.



I soon found myself and my supervisor standing in an elevator of some kind. But we weren't in New Mexico, or even Washington. In fact, I had no idea where we were at all.

I'm afraid I… haven't been entirely truthful with you. You see, for the past few years, you say you've worked with… the Office of Compliant Safety and Health, correct?

Yes I have. What are you trying to say?

Well, while our employers are quite impresssssed with the work you've done and… the level of your eagerness for the job, we are not the Department of Labor. So, you are not really an Occupational Safety Hazard Administration officer at all.

WHAT?

Don't worry, I've… taken the trouble to ensure that no harm can come as a result of your actions.

I stood there, in the corner of the elevator not knowing what to do. How could I not be an OSHA investigator? This had to be some sort of mistake.

My supervisor (or was he my supervisor?) quickly skimmed through a few pages of the report and put it in his briefcase.

Ah, yes… very well done. I will personally ensure that this report does not fall into… the wrong hands. If given to the wrong person, this report could create some rather unfortunate circumstances. As for you, my employers have decided to convey you here until your time comes… round again.