Merriman is Troy’s predecessor, whose handover advice stresses restraint in using the deep freeze and caution in dealing with other silos.
At the end of his shift, Merriman hands his post over to Troy. He says early mechanical troubles were resolved and recommends Jones as an unusually versatile repairman. He also reports more fracturing in some silos than expected, asking Troy to investigate with Victor, and advises him to listen and say little when other silos ask questions.
Merriman says some workers were put into the Deep Freeze because they could not cope with another shift. Regretting his own early visit there, he urges Troy to use it only when workers truly cannot manage. Troy subsequently reviews Merriman’s notes, and the warning about authorizing deep-freeze waivers remains part of that inherited guidance.
He is the outgoing post holder whose notes and advice guide Troy’s shift.