Construction

Progress was slow. Frequent breaks kept the crew's morale up.

What gave hope :
Realizing progress toward an indistinct highest and lowest elevation.

What did NOT help :
Seeing unrealized promise of mechanical assistance.

Oriann has improper shoes for digging the pool basin. That look could kill, but I doubt shoes are the cause.

Jim Tarvid explains strategy for levelling the pool basin while Bobby listens. The strategy included that impressive tiller in the foreground which, unfortunately, refused to cooperate before human-powered assaults achieved the goal. Oriann, almost hidden behind Bobby, rarely listens and this rare moment of basin leveling is preserved for the unbelieving to see.

Woody and Bobby Nichols set about intimidating Earth to hold the Tarvid pool. Before placing the pool, this gentle slope had to become flat. Thousands of surgical strikes were necessary; all told, a man-week of primitive manual labor was required for the 10-meter radius foundation.