Chapter 12: Interview

Although the nameless town also has a dock, most of them only accommodate small cargo steamers. The dock where crab fishing boats depart is on the south side of the town; the other, more bustling and larger-scale dock is in the town itself.

The two towns certainly do not exist in a state of total isolation. So when Henry wanted to join a crab fishing boat, the elders in town helped contact a more experienced captain.

Old John even drove personally to take Henry there.

The front passenger seat was occupied by the town elder who had contacted the captain; everyone called him the Polish Guy. Henry sat in the rear truck bed, wrapped in a heavy coat, leisurely soaking up the October sun.

Although October in low-latitude regions is merely autumn, Alaska was already cold enough to pierce the bones. Henry, who could not squeeze into the cab and had to reluctantly sit in the rear truck bed, actually found this spot where he could soak up the sun to be a blessing he could not refuse.

Although he suspected he might be a Kryptonian, Henry did not run off to soak up the sun every time he had the chance. Because doing so would be too attached to appearances.

Besides, his current power level was already sufficient to handle daily life. Even if he sunbathed himself to the point of moving mountains and filling seas, where would there be mountains to move or seas to fill?

The Purple Sweet Potato Sorcerer snapping his fingers was something that would happen roughly thirty years later. It was only 1990 now; there was no need to worry about troubles so far in the future.

But whenever there was an opportunity, Henry would still enjoy soaking up the sun, just like now.

Moreover, according to what Old John said, when he was found lying on the beach, it was this very vehicle that brought him back. At that time, he was thrown into the rear truck bed; this time felt like reliving old dreams.

As for the southern town they spoke of as being very close, Old John drove at a speed of seventy or eighty kilometers per hour, racing for over three full hours before finally reaching the destination.

This also made Henry understand just how close Alaskans meant when they said "very close." It was roughly the kind of "very close" that only the neural reflex arc of a long-necked dragon could comprehend.

The Alaska crab fishing season is every October and November; this period is also when the king crab is at its fattest and most delicious.

Every year, hundreds of crab fishing boats depart from various regions of Alasijiazhou to catch king crab in the Bai Linghai during early winter.

As a delicacy on the dining table, the king crab, with only a two-month fishing season, generates a value of nearly five hundred million US dollars.

This not only belongs to the pillar industry of Alaska, but many enterprises and communities are also related to it, especially the crab fishermen.

There are many people who, by earning money in just these two months, can spend the remaining ten months living in leisure.

But because the working environment is too harsh and the process is quite dangerous, fishermen or fishing boats fail to return every year. Captains and boat owners are recruiting manpower every single year; there is not a single year where they are not short of people.

Despite this, certain boats led by experienced captains are not ones that just anyone can join.

People who make a living here all know which individuals have better skills and which ones, besides bluffing outsiders, can only be hired by offering higher wages to locals.

Truly, no captain dares to be cheap and load a boat full of rookies who know nothing into crab fishing.

Unless they plan for the entire boat not to return and intend to defraud the insurance company. Usually, if such a situation is discovered by the insurance company, no compensation is paid.

Moreover, boats with too many novices are indeed less efficient in fishing operations compared to those boats crowded with veterans.

In order not to have money to earn but no life to spend it, most people still choose crab fishing boats led by steady captains and with many veterans.

What Old John and the others arranged for Henry was exactly such a boat.

Annie Two-One, the boat owner is also the captain, George Jefferson the Third. Those who do not know might think two former US presidents had merged into one.

Old George is a traditional crab fisherman who took over his father's and grandfather's fishing boats and business, fighting on the front lines of this industry since childhood. So he is not only familiar with the trade, but also very good at leading people.

If any family has a child who wants to take this path, they should come run a voyage with Old George. As long as this old captain gives the nod, the rookie will immediately transform into a veteran, and any boat will welcome them.

If any family's child wants to make quick money and only run one or two voyages, they should also board Old George's boat. At the very least, returning safely and intact is no problem.

However, do not think that just anyone can board Old George's boat. Unlike other boats facing recruitment difficulties where anyone with hands can get on, Old George's boat is so popular that he, as the captain, has the qualification to pick and choose.

So Old John and the others brought Henry over before the crab fishing season even started, so that Old George could interview him. If it does not work out, they will find another old captain's boat.

Because the crab fishing season is approaching, many people on the crab fishing boats at the dock are busy. They are performing maintenance and repairs on the vessels, or replenishing supplies needed for going out to sea.

Old George stayed on his own boat, leading people to personally inspect every piece of equipment on board.

The Polish Guy, who brought Old John and Henry, was once a member of the Annie Two-One and served as a crab fisherman for a time. So upon seeing the boat, he skillfully stepped onto the deck and found Old George, who was inside the cabin performing repairs.

"Hey, old thing, I told you to bring a young man over; you haven't forgotten, have you?"

"Let me see, you Polish Guy." Old George, stepping out of the cabin, wiped the grease from his hands and embraced the newcomer, appearing very close to him.

The shirtless old captain had a very muscular build. Although not as defined in muscle lines as those Mr. Bodybuilders, he was not the type with loose, flabby fat and a beer belly.

His balding Mediterranean hair and the stubble on his face were both white, showing that the old captain was also of a certain age and not some young lad.

Seeing Old John following behind, he stepped forward to shake hands and greet him: "Hey, old thing, there is no bar on my boat. You might as well go back and wait for me to come over for a drink; only then will you have a chance to earn my money. Otherwise, no way."

"The Polish Guy didn't tell me that you poor thing had gone blind and couldn't see the living person beside me. Or is it that besides crabs, your eyes cannot see anything else? In that case, I might have to visit your wife tonight."

"Haha, old thing, your mouth is still as foul as ever. There is a reason your bar is about to go under."

"It looked like that dead thing thirty years ago, and it will be the same thirty years from now," Old John replied again.

Old George raised his hands and stepped back in a gesture of surrender, only then noticing the only young person present. "Little Green, what is your name?"

"Henry, Mr."

"Henry what?"

"Just Henry; I haven't thought about what surname I want to use yet."

"Ha." Old George laughed and did not pursue the details further.

He circled around Henry once, then heavily patted his shoulder. As expected, Henry did not move an inch. It gave the feeling of hitting a stone.

"Not bad, Little Green," Old George praised.

He then said to the two elders: "I agree to let him board the boat."

He also said to Henry: "But the work on a crab fishing boat is very hard; you had better be fully mentally prepared. Once the boat leaves port, there is no room for you to regret."

Old John, however, said from the side: "I also have to warn you; this kid eats particularly a lot. Don't let it get to the point where, in the end, you have to tell him to cook the crabs on the boat himself to eat."

"Ha, as long as you don't get seasick and vomit after eating, I guarantee you will be stuffed twenty-four hours a day."

New book seeking continued reading, favorites, and recommendations; thank you~~

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(End of this chapter)