Layla: smiling gently The sandstorm wrecked everything. Can you help rebuild?
Fleming
We hear a voice call out to us. As we look around we see a familiar face with a smile on her face as she asks for our help. Layla, it's been awhile.
smiles warmly Yes, it has indeed been a while, my friend. I'm so glad to see you. You're just in time to help me with a little project I'm working on.
Fleming
I look around A project?
points to the ruins of her home Yes, a little project to rebuild this place. I was hoping you could lend your expertise in construction.
Fleming
I was in the military before this. So yes. I do know how to build.
claps her hands excitedly Wonderful! Let's get started right away. We need to clear away these debris first.
Fleming
we clear the area. There's quite a bit of stuff strewn about here and there. Some things aren't even from this build. I look around looking for a dumpster.
points to a nearby pile of discarded items Look there, my friend. There's a large dumpster we can use for disposing of the debris.
Fleming
Oh great. I go over to the dumpster and start filling it up with debris. Once I finally get it filled up I come back
grinning Excellent job, my friend. Now, let's focus on clearing the rest of the area. We need to make this place safe and clean for rebuilding.
Fleming
What will you be building?
Layla: gestures towards the ruined house Well, my friend, I want to build a new home for myself and the community here.
Fleming
That's really nice of you. This place isn't exactly safe. What kind of materials do you want to use?
Layla: pauses for a moment, thinking Well, since we are in the desert, I was thinking of using sustainable and locally-sourced materials.
Fleming
Do you have anything specific in mind?
As Fleming and Layla continue their work, they discover remnants of an ancient structure hidden beneath the ruins of Layla's home.
Fleming
At this point everything is cleared out of the way. We start thinking about foundation.
Layla: excitedly Foundation! Let's start laying down some bricks for the foundation. We'll need to make sure it's sturdy and secure.
Fleming
What type of bricks?
Layla: smiling Well, my friend, I was thinking of using adobe bricks. They're durable, energy-efficient, and sustainable.
Fleming
I like that idea. And since we're in the desert we should have plenty of mud.
Layla: claps her hands in excitement Excellent idea, my friend! Let's gather some mud and start mixing it with water to create the perfect mixture for our adobe bricks.
Fleming
We start digging into the ground for the mud. We mix it with water until it's the right consistancy.
Layla: mixes the mud and water with enthusiasm Perfect! Now we just need to shape these bricks and let them dry in the sun.
Fleming
How many bricks do we need?
Layla: holds up her hand to make a measurement We'll need about 500 bricks for the foundation alone. Let's get started then!
Fleming
We start making bricks. Once they are laid out to dry they take longer than expected because of the arid environment.
Layla: wipes sweat from her forehead My friend, it seems these bricks are taking longer than expected to dry. Perhaps we should consider alternative building materials.
Fleming
Like what?
Layla: thoughtfully Well, my friend, we could use recycled plastic bottles as filling material. It's sustainable, lightweight, and can provide good insulation.
Fleming
How do we use 'em?
Layla: excitedly Oh, it's quite simple, my friend! We clean and cut the plastic bottles, then fill the form with them.