Rick Ness’ Crew Faces Tensions as Foreman Buzz Falls Asleep on the Job
Rick Ness’ crew is pushing hard with four trucks running full speed to hit a gold bonanza at the bottom of the 210-foot deep Vegas Valley. Despite having a small crew, they are determined to work together tightly to reach their goal. Rick acknowledges that with four trucks in operation, it’s a lot busier now, but it’s essential to get to the pay and strike gold.
Buzz’s Frustrations and Sacrifices
Buzz, the foreman, is in a rock truck, and it’s clear he’s not happy about it. “I hate the rock truck,” he grumbles. Despite his frustrations, he understands the necessity of the role. The crew is stretched thin, and everybody has to be willing to sacrifice and pitch in wherever needed, even if it’s not something they want to do.
Buzz admits that he’d rather be working in an excavator or getting the plant ready to move. But for now, he’s stuck in a truck, hauling waste as part of the team’s plan to hit 1,500 ounces of gold. He knows that if no one is willing to operate the rock trucks, they won’t get anywhere.
The Challenges of Rough Roads and Exhaustion
The crew faces additional challenges with the rough road conditions. The road, which stretches for 2,000 feet, has become so rutted up that even Buzz’s phone can’t handle the vibrations and starts asking if he’s in an emergency. The trucks are taking a toll on both the crew and the equipment, and Buzz’s frustration is growing. “I just ripped a hole in my pants,” he says, reflecting just how rough the work environment has become.
Buzz is tasked with laying down coarse rocks to fix the uneven section of the road. However, his frustration with the situation is palpable, and it’s clear he’s not happy with his current duties.
Buzz Falls Asleep On The Job
Things take a turn when Rick notices that Buzz has fallen asleep during his shift. “He goes out to work at 4:30 in the morning every morning, so I guess it’s okay if he takes a nap during the middle of the day,” Rick says. But it becomes apparent that Buzz has been taking naps not just in the middle of the day, but even during the morning.
Rick becomes frustrated and addresses Buzz directly: “Why does he not know that he can’t sleep on the job?” It’s clear that Rick feels it’s unfair to the rest of the crew, who are working hard and pushing themselves to meet their goal.
Rick Confronts Buzz
Rick takes the opportunity to confront Buzz. “You’ve got to stop sleeping in the machine right in everybody’s face,” he tells him. “It’s not fair to everybody else, and it’s becoming a problem.” Rick acknowledges that Buzz hasn’t seemed as involved this season as he was last year and explains that if the crew is going to succeed, everyone needs to contribute.
Buzz defends himself, expressing that he doesn’t want to be in the truck and feels like he’s been unfairly sidelined. However, Rick makes it clear that the crew is small, and if Buzz doesn’t want to step up in the way that’s needed, he might have to leave.
Rick’s frustration is evident, but he also stresses the importance of communication. “We need to communicate better,” Rick insists. Buzz admits that he understands Rick’s perspective, and they agree to move forward.
Clearing the Air
The conversation ends with a more relaxed tone, as Rick and Buzz share a hug, signaling that the air has been cleared. Rick expresses his desire for Buzz to remain a key part of the team, as he’s a critical part of their success. However, Rick also makes it clear that the crew needs to work together as a unit. If Buzz continues to have problems with his role, it could cause issues for the team moving forward.
In the end, Rick seems hopeful that the confrontation has resolved the tension, though he remains cautious about any potential future problems. As the season continues, it remains to be seen if Buzz can get back on track and contribute fully to the team’s goal of hitting their gold target.
