Nobody's Perfect
by
Gary L. Clark
Reprint from the 1999 Winter Roundup
I have the greatest respect, love, and admiration for David South, inventor of the Monolithic Dome. These short stories should in no way reflect any ill on his character. However, even the best men have bad days.
Welder
Stomping When Monolithic Domes were still in their infancy, David
would often be seen on the job site, moving his child along and deeply
involved in the actual construction of the buildings. Not only did this
show his great desire to push the idea ahead, it also proved to be very
satisfying. Only a dome builder can understand the satisfaction of finishing
a project despite any problems.
But, it is the problems - especially the small ones - that drive you crazy
during construction.
During construction of the Price City complex in Price, Utah, there were
a fair share of delays, breakdowns, and other troubles. Thank goodness
David was there to help resolve these situations so progress could be
made.
Over time, it became apparent that many problems could be prevented if
only the crew would pay more attention. Many little details on a job site
help the project, not only move ahead faster, without problems, but also
helps the job-site look better.
One day, while working on the company backhoe, David observed the employees
as they moved about their labors. The crew seemed to care little about
caring for the tools and their workplace. After a while he could watch
no longer. He had had enough.
Stopping his backhoe by the group of employees, David did a quick dismount.
The gathering then received an exquisite speech from the boss. Included
in this speech were details on how to care for tools, how personal character
was shown by actions on the job, how we all needed to help each other
help the company grow by caring for tools and the job in general.
He especially pointed out the need to stop doing silly, stupid things
that cost the company time and money. To think about what we were doing.
In short, to look before we leaped.
David had finally emptied his bucket. No one said anything. No one dared
to.
Especially when David got back on the backhoe and immediately drove over
the company welding machine.
He completely destroyed it.
Use The Right Door <@body text:>
It was a freight door for loading and unloading semitrailers. The door
is set four feet above the ground so a fork lift operator can drive directly
into the trailer and back into the building.
David arrived one morning with two guests in tow. These gentlemen were
from Italy - the real honest to goodness, Italian speaking, pizza loving,
Italy. Their interest in domes brought them to Texas to see our facilities
first hand.
As I remember, it was a nice day. We had both of the doors wide open to
allow air flow and sunlight into the building. When David and the guests
arrived, he just drove up the inclined ramp and parked his car inside
the warehouse. The tour lasted for more that an hour.
The brake lights came on just as the front wheels dropped over the edge.
I don't know what was more shocking to our Italian guests, the free fall
of the car, the sudden stop when the front tires hit the ground, or the
airbag that exploded into David's face.
All three, stunned from the ordeal, staggered out of the car. The rear
wheels were still on the dock and the front wheels on the ground outside.
I think David was more embarrassed than anything. Thank goodness, no one
was really hurt.
The two gentlemen from Italy flew home and we haven't heard from them
again. The car is still in use and doing great.
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