Chapter 11 "Windfall" (11) Forbearance

"I have the impression that this Jimmy Brown is a ruthless character who lives on the streets."

"Yes, five years ago, this kid was still a gangster leader who organized workers' gangs to cause trouble, kidnapping and extorting everywhere with steel bars and crowbars. Then somehow, he suddenly became big.

Once a street gangster, Jimmy Brown transformed into the leader of York City's largest union.

Today, he is the darling of the media, a guest of the rich and famous, a respectable public figure, and a frequent guest on the covers of magazines and newspapers."

"I suspect he has connections within the federal government. There are seventy or eighty unions in York City, large and small, and they are all shady violent radical organizations. Only Jimmy's union is recognized by the city hall and has legal assembly.

and the right to march.”

"It has something to do with it, of course. The way things are in today's world, power is in the hands of a bunch of bastards. Even if you have real skills, it's hard to get ahead without any connections."

"Just look at his virtues. He has oily hair and a pink face. He wears a silk shirt and shiny pointed leather shoes. He looks like a successful villain. He also keeps saying that he is an ally of the working class. Only a ghost would believe it!"

"You don't believe it, but most people do.

Many people in our factory have joined Jimmy's union, paying their membership dues on time every month, subscribing to union journals, and participating in large-scale gatherings."

"Hmph, I think these people are all fucking stupid. They use their hard-earned money to support a hypocrite who drives a luxury car and lives in a villa, and they still believe that he can save themselves from suffering! How stupid! How ridiculous!"

"Humans... are all fragile and emotional animals. They need some hope to survive. Even if it is a false hope, it doesn't matter. As long as you can calm down and feel safe, this is especially true for those at the bottom of society. We are easily taken advantage of."

"Yeah, it's so damn hard to live these days!

Before, they were regular workers, so it was better to be covered by insurance, but now they are dispatched workers from a human resources company. Not only are their insurances gone, but their wages have to be slashed by the agency.

There is not enough savings to deal with illness and accidents, and no bank is willing to lend money to the poor. Encountering even a little setback means a complete failure in life.

The saying in the movie makes sense, it only takes one bad day for a low-income person to commit suicide or become a criminal."

Once the two of us start chatting, time flies very fast, especially with like-minded friends.

During lunch, Roy went to the vending machine and bought a piece of chocolate filled with cocoa butter for 0.25 yuan, and put it in front of Anna when he came back.

The chocolate red wrapping paper is printed with a cute image of the cartoon character VEX.

Anna liked it so much that she couldn't bear to throw it away. She kept the wrapping paper as a bookmark and listened carefully to the wonderful metallic sound when the aluminum foil was peeled off.

After one bite, the sweetness on the tip of her tongue spread to the entire mouth and penetrated into her heart. Even though she was so happy, she still frowned and said:

"You also said in the morning that you need to save money, but now you have forgotten about it?"

Roy spread his hands: "This is for you, my dear. Every time you pass by the vending machine, you will take a longing look inside."

"Oh, you are really thoughtful, but...how do you know which product I am interested in?"

Roy put down his knife and fork, took Anna's hand, and said in a funny tone:

"York City Channel 19, children's satellite channel, remember?"

Something indescribable touched the most sensitive nerve in Anna's memory, as if her DNA was touched, and her blue eyes became moist:

"Of course... of course you remember... the children's TV channel, how could you forget... Piglet VEX and his friends, shown on time at 6:30 every day."

"I remember that time when you took my hand and ran to the window of Uncle Ham's house,

The two of us stood on a small bench and peeked at other people's TV programs through the glass. It was a premium channel and we had to pay 1 yuan to the cable TV company every month. Our parents were reluctant to buy it and could only watch other people's TV programs.

of."

"Oh my God...you still remember this...that's why you bought Piggy VEX chocolates for me!"

Anna was so moved that she whimpered and plunged her head into Roy's chest, her thick golden hair trembling slightly.

Roy gently stroked his lover's long hair like a kitten:

"Okay, crybaby, how old are you? Get up quickly so you don't get laughed at."

Anna rubbed her red and swollen eyes: "Although I am very touched, I still think snacks are too luxurious. Thank you, but don't buy them again in the future."

"We will eat this kind of cheap stuff every day from now on. Don't worry about it for now. I have good news."

"What?"

"A collector in the XC area took a fancy to my paintings and was willing to pay for them."

Anna clasped her hands together: "Oh my God! That's great!"

"Don't be too happy yet. My painting skills still need to be polished. The collector just thinks I have artistic talent and is willing to pay some small money to help me grow."

"Thank you sir, every penny is precious to both of us."

"Do you still remember my street scene sketch? It was the one I drew for fun last month."

"Remember...I'm sorry, Roy...I still used that painting to place the plate."

"The painting you put on the plate sold for 200 yuan."

"200 yuan!?" Anna covered her mouth in surprise: "I wonder why you suddenly bought a new set of clothes..."

"The collector will continue to fund my creations. This is just the beginning. When I paint a work that satisfies him, the remuneration will be increased by several zeros."

Anna covered her forehead: "Merciful God...I...isn't this a dream?"

"My dear, I said that one day, I will take you out of this ghost place and immigrate to a rich planet to start a new life.

At that time, I will kneel down on one knee in front of you and solemnly propose to you with a gemstone ring.

We will have a romantic interstellar honeymoon trip, and then live in a spacious big house.

Just think about it, no more crowded low-rent housing, no more noisy neighbors, no more annoying property management companies, no more dirty air to breathe, I swear it will happen."

Anna lay on Roy's lap and looked at the ceiling:

"Please let me lie down for a while, I'm a little dizzy, this... is like a dream,

Just now, I thought a piece of chocolate was too luxurious and expensive, but now...god...Roy, we really hope to have our own home."

(Not a hope, but a reality, we have a box full of money.)

Roy was intoxicated with a huge sense of satisfaction, compared with which the guilt caused by lying seemed insignificant.

The harsh electronic ringtone interrupted the couple's beautiful thoughts, and the lunch break was over.

Bad news came over the radio;

In order to increase profits, Mr. Spike ordered the production line's operating speed to be increased by 25%.

The chips on the conveyor belt came too fast, and the already arduous work turned into cruel torture. The workers complained, but they could only accept it all.

After all, on this dying human mother planet, all resources are in short supply, and the only thing that is not in short supply is people.

There are many homeless people lining up outside the factory, waiting for work. If you want to keep your job, you have to keep your mouth shut and work hard.

(You have to endure it, it’s going to be soon... it’s going to be quick... it’s going to get over...)

Roy thought, picked up the parts on the conveyor belt and assembled them...
Chapter completed!