Not my usual department

This business of the camps opening up again has rather thrown my usual routine into chaos. We are processing large amounts of data, because camp censuses have changed so much that the reports must be prepared anew. We've had to do a great deal of scrambling to manage the reassignment of labour, due to the distressing inroads in our workforce from the epidemic. There have been a number of unfortunate incidents, due to the unrest caused by Black's paralysis, but the Enforcers have been extremely prompt in their response, I'm happy to say. They are most efficient whenever some fools think to try making a disturbance. The few scuffles have been quite minor, fortunately, but as the Lord Protector is determined to keep the peace, even in the face of Black's outrageous provocations, each incident requires an analytical write up for the MLE's files.

So I was there today to turn in the incident report for a contretemps last week in Teinbridge. I was quite impressed with Mr Barty Crouch, Jr's new assistant, Ned Pennifold. For someone in his first weeks of a new assignment, Mr Pennifold has certainly mastered the essentials quite quickly. I know that Warrington was disappointed not to be able to keep his services over in Purity Control.

I was thinking about that today as I watched the MLE people walking at a brisk clip here and there between their offices. Even the Enforcer parchment memos seemed to flit about more rapidly. Isn't it curious how each department takes on its own particular corporate culture, and certain types will over time find their way there? You know the stereotypes, that the gregarious ones end up in Communications, that those that love poring over data and spreadsheets end up in the administrative end of Purity Control. That is not to say, of course, that Purity Control doesn't value efficiency. But I have a hunch that Mr Pennifold will be happier working over at MLE.

Let's see, what else...the food situation is excellent. We have come through the winter extremely well, with no shortages to speak of, other than the portion of the wheat crop which was hit by the powdery mildew blight last year. Rye, barley and potatoes have been plentiful enough to make up the difference, and the spring planting is going well as far as the weather is concerned, although we haven't as much crop in the ground as I would like, due to the labour shortages.

Molly, I'm afraid I'll be late tonight. I have a set of reports to finish up before I can come home.