It was like something out of that old movie about the chocolate factory, or the one about the factory run by monsters. A window in the elevator showed the expanse of offices as they descended further and further. Perhaps it was more like the Grand Canyon – something that words and photographs simply couldn’t do justice.
Redman could only imagine how many suburbs this massive building covered for matters relating to conveyancing and settlement, as well as buyer’s advocacy services. Conveyancing for Prahran homes would be a breeze with the resources this place had. Perhaps they really could get this New Adelaide thing off the ground.
“Where did you find all the staff for this?” Redman asked as the elevator continued to descend. “The amount of people in this building is surely greater than the entire population of New Melbourne.”
“Almost,” Jesse said with a short nod. “We had a special recruitment process, contacting the surviving conveyancers on the surface via radio. Lawyers from a conveyancing firm near Highett were the first to make it here, but we’ve had conveyancers from all across the globe make the journey. The deal was simple; help us establish a new, socialist city and in return, they have first dibs on the homes here.”
“It seems to have worked,” Redman said, impressed. “But what’s the point of conveyancers and all that if the homes are going to be free anyway?”
“We still need people to cover the legal side of home ownership. I think a better question would be why we need buyer’s agents without buyers.”
“Good point. Why do you need them, then?”
Jesse stepped up to the window and looked out at the passing floors of conveyancing offices. “Well, even if the homes are free, wouldn’t you still want to have the property of your dreams? And besides, the role has slightly changed. These agents will also be checking that applicants don’t already own a home – in New Adelaide, you can only have one.”