death of hope

Chapter 35 "Flying Windfall" (35) Fog

After driving around all day for immigration procedures, Roy felt like he was being kicked around by various bureaucracies like a rubber ball.

The reason why the originally simple procedure has been delayed for so long is because the corrupt and incompetent officials of the Terra Federation government deliberately made things difficult, just to force the person who handles the matter into a hurry, and then demand a favor fee from him.

It was already late when the work was done, and Roy was tired and slumped in the driver's seat like a puddle of mud. He didn't want to go to the bar anymore, so he went home and rested.

There was a small truck following him, and Roy was so frightened that he couldn't sleep in an instant. Looking in the rearview mirror, the driver behind him was a fat lady wearing a peaked cap, chewing bubble gum and constantly blowing pink bubbles. Bubble.

He didn't dare to go home, so he drove on the overpass and circled. The truck didn't keep up and drove into another fork road. Roy began to suspect that the other party was following someone else. Drive yourself crazy.

Finally, he was the only car left on the dark road, and the rearview mirror was empty. Roy heaved a sigh of relief, turned around at an intersection, and drove towards home.

Outside the building, two drunk men were fighting by the collar, swearing obscene words, and several children watched the fun with their footballs in their arms.

(My kids can't grow up in this environment, it will ruin them...)
Thinking of this, Roy walked into the building bypassing the two people who were fighting. Several tents were set up in the corridor. Recently, many homeless people moved in. One of them was driven out and another three were sneaked in. The security had to give up. Work hard, go back to the security room to rest.

The elevator, which had been in disrepair, shook violently as it went up, and the loose parts made dangerous clanking sounds.

Go home and lock the door, open the window, and the dirty air floods into the room.

The sounds of sirens, gunshots, and ambulances can be heard endlessly. The public security situation in York City is rapidly deteriorating at a speed that can be discerned by the naked eye. Many people who are dissatisfied with the status quo wear masks and take up guns to enforce the law on the streets, becoming illegal masked vigilantes.

Rich people are crazy about hiring bodyguards, arming their mansions into military fortresses, arms stores are crowded with customers, large security companies and military contractors are making a lot of money, and politicians are also taking this opportunity to publicize and win votes for themselves .

After smoking a cigarette, Roy closed the window and turned on the TV. All the TV stations were broadcasting the news of workers' riots during the day.

Press the remote control to tune to channel 524, which is the Fox TV news channel he often watches. The hostess is very beautiful, she looks a bit like Anna:

"Today was another bloody day when business executives rejected the protesters' demands and peaceful demonstrations turned bloody with bullets flying and killing innocent bystanders.

21 people were killed and 340 were injured. The York City police were unable to control the situation. The shield wall composed of explosion-proof shields was broken by angry crowds. The National Guard dispatched tanks and armored vehicles to calm the situation.

The streets are filled with blood and the stench is overwhelming. As of press time, three anti-riot police officers have died. The mobs took advantage of the chaos to loot shops along the street. The windows of residential buildings were smashed. People feel insecure. When will this kind of day end? ..."

The news reports came to an abrupt end, and an advertisement for an immigration agency suddenly inserted:

"Fresh air, pollution-free food, better job opportunities, complete supporting facilities, good security environment, what are you waiting for, buy a boat ticket and immigrate to Alpha Centauri! A new life is beckoning to you !"

Changed the channel, and it was still an advertisement. A man who was too fat to walk stood under the banner of the federal government and read a manuscript:

"The date of the next mayoral election in York City is getting closer and closer. I am the No. 1 candidate, Jon White. If I am elected, civilians will get more adequate social security, and entrepreneurs will also get more preferential treatment. Policy Support.

Wake up, everyone, look at the current security environment, it is a mess, if it were me, I would definitely send the National Guard to implement strict control!
Citizens of York City, please cast your sacred votes for me, I will replace the incompetent and corrupt city officials and replace them with clean and passionate officers!Give me four years to make York City great again! "

"Hmph, politicians supported by giant corporations, a group of hypocritical liars, are just business."

Roy muttered, turned off the TV, and was just about to brush his teeth and go to bed when the communicator rang, and it was the old worker Bart;

"Hello, Brother Bart, what do you want from me?"

"Hey, Roy, I'm in the phone booth, I have something to ask you, do you want to join the union?"

"I'm looking for this in the middle of the night? Of course I don't want to join. I resigned and I'm going to immigrate and leave."

"Oh, look at my brain, I forgot, the phone bill is really unjust."

"What's the matter, it's so urgent?"

"Now our trade union is short of manpower, and everyone is recruiting relatives and friends to join in. It's not appropriate for me not to work hard. Excuse me, Roy."

"Don't hang up the phone yet, Brother Bart, why does a good trade union act like a pyramid scheme to attract people everywhere? Wait...you have already joined the trade union?"

"Yes, I joined Mr. Jimmy Brown's UAW."

"Damn it! What's going on, haven't you always despised that guy as a liar?"

"It can't be helped, Roy, you resigned and don't understand the situation,
Now the dissatisfaction in the factory is soaring, too much overtime, corporate executives are riding shit on the workers, they want to replace half of the manual production line with automated equipment, and cooperate with the human resources company to make a big conspiracy!
Last month's salary has not been entered into the account until now. They want to force us to resign voluntarily to avoid paying dismissal compensation. "

"God, these bloody... bastards!"

"What a bunch of beasts, isn't it? The profit in the factory is so good, but they lie that it is difficult to lose money, eat big meals by themselves, drive luxury cars and wear gold watches, but refuse to share some porridge for our workers to live on!

That damned Spike, the dog-raised capitalist!Instructing his henchmen, those corporate fighters in uniform, to beat us with sticks!

Many people in our production line have joined the union, and they want to fight for their rights by force. Oh, of course, these bad things have nothing to do with you. "

"Calm down, Brother Bart, if you've read the news, you should know what's going on!"

A desperate gasp came from the other end of the phone:
"Roy, you haven't got a family yet, you don't understand, I still have a big family to feed, if I don't get paid, I will starve, I have no choice, the worst is to die with those bastards! Good luck to us Come on, bye!"

There was a beeping sound from the receiver, and the other party had hung up the phone, but Roy raised his arms in a daze for a long time.

He sat on the edge of the bed, trying to touch the soft long hair, but he couldn't touch it anyway,

The lover is not by my side, and there is no place in my heart. Since I have no sleepiness, I just get up and light another cigarette.

(Brother Bart, I’m really worried about him. What kind of injustice can actually drive a hard-working and honest man to the point of desperation? This is a damned, human-eating world.)
Just as he was in a daze, the screen of the communicator turned on, and the notification sounded:
"You have an unread message."

It's from Fat Donny;

"Roy, something happened. There are a few guys with fluorescent tattoos walking around outside the bar. They are probably gang members. I think it has something to do with the money."

Roy was so shocked that he was covered in cold sweat, and quickly replied to the message:
"Did you call the police?"

"Reported, but it's useless. The police station is understaffed. It has given up policing the poor neighborhoods and focused on protecting the rich neighborhoods. We have to deal with it on our own. Susan, Ferguson and the old man are here, and the neighbors are also helping .”

"Understood, I'll come!"

After sending the message, Roy hurriedly put on his clothes, grabbed the car keys and rushed out.

(End of this chapter)