Fusion of labour
There are not many specialists in Fort Nelson. Most people dabble in at least one side job, often completely unrelated to their professions, and a number of businesses house operations that would be considered mutually exclusive in a bigger town. Even the doctors are family/emergency physicians with a dash of minor surgery and a hint of veterinary practise. Adam Smith would throw a fit. What, for example, would he think of a paramedic and substitute teacher who moonlights as a barista? Or a laundromat/’love boutique’ that also provides hot showers, commercial coffee brewers and buffalo meat? Need a fiddle lesson? Just head down to the camera shop and they’ll set you up. One of the town’s couriers is also the carpet guy. At least the van from which he operates gives something like unity to his business. At the DHL, on the other hand, the packages share the space behind the counter with a thriving pet groomery. “No, you should have that assignment by now… unless… nah…”