benjamin
Benjamin 2
bigbutadorable(.)bl0gsp0t(.)c0m
He doesn't put much expectation when leaving the house but arriving at the agency's office, he unexpectedly gets a really good offer.
"I was worried because of your incredibly low education, but I recommended you in person since you look so desperate. It's to clean a hotel. It won't be that hard."
"Thank you! I'll do my best."
"They said they needed a well-groomed employee who could write and read. If you pay a little more attention to your attire, you'll be perfect. Have a good interview."
"Thank you very much. Thank you, thank you, thank you, sir."
Benjamin thanks the middle-aged man a bunch of times. On his way home, he even takes a time to look at the big city behind him with a nervous yet excited face.
God, a job in the main city.
Beyond his rundown flat, beyond the hills and all the destruction, there is a place where the upper classes of the world live. Railroads still running, three-story houses, hotels for sightseers, parks...and of course, a place too hard to find a job.
Green City always does super thorough background checks and body searches to filter junkies and criminals. Even Benjamin, who lives right next to Green City can't go in and out as he likes. He has heard that people there drive cars and each household used fairly modern machines. Everyone looks good in their skin, wears colorful clothes, and speaks with refined accents. While at night, the light from high-rises would shine like twinkling stars, far brighter than this junk of a city.
Benjamin opens the window of his flat, staring outside as he bites his nails nervously. He has to go to the interview soon, it makes him worry about what is going to happen next. He needs to get a haircut, a bath, and buy new clothes too. But...he can't do any of that, of course. He somehow has to manage to look his best on the interview day with zero budget.
The next day, Benjamin heads to the station with a letter of introduction in hand. To get into Green City, where the rich lives, he has to take a ferry and then board a train.
At the checkpoint, everyone who works there has to show ID and go through a metal detector with a couple of scary armed soldiers. Now, the line is filled with people who come to work the night shift. When it comes to Benjamin's turn, he tries his best to look straight ahead so as not to appear nervous. He still has no official ID but is approved after showing his former citizenship and a very elaborate letter of introduction.
"Go ahead."
Benjamin quickly grabs his citizenship paper back and tucks it into the pants (guarding it to death against a pickpocket), and hurries past the platform. Even as they line up to board the shuttle bus, soldiers looking like a big death machine are scattered everywhere.
From the bus, each time someone passes the checkpoint, Benjamin can't stop to gape mesmerized seeing how the entrance door would shine with an intense turquoise blue light.
"Is this your first time here?"
Woah, even a complete stranger is easy to notice Benjamin's pitiful situation only by giving him a single glance. Benjamin blushes.
"Yes...today is my first."
"There might be terrorists so, be very careful. The same thing is going to happen when you get back so keep everything. Money, jewelry, put them in your underpants and keep them tight."
"Thank you..."
"Once you get off, you'll be watched more than you are now so..."
"I understand."
Starting from here, it becomes clear at how distinct someone like Benjamin and those at Green City are.
"So, could you write down the numbers and words I have here?"
The interviewer gives Benjamin a paper and pencil to do what he just told to. Fortunately, nothing is difficult. Benjamin can do it fast and well the interviewer is amazed. He opens his eyes wide.
"Wow...you know a lot of words used in hotels."
They are actually common words used in Benjamin's junk city. But of course, people here think the poor don't know them: shampoo and conditioner, soap, towels. It makes Benjamin a bit uncomfortable so he feels the need to explain.
"Yes, I know those words. I used to work in packaging and warehouses so I was asked to write a lot there too."
"Uh-huh, they told me you worked with a subcontractor."
Factories around Ground Zero often make things for the Green City so the interviewer immediately nods understanding what he just explained.
"That's lucky―can you work from today?"
"Yes. If you let me, I'll work hard."
Benjamin responds enthusiastically. The interviewer likes him.
Benjamin is soon sent to start the job with another employee. Unlike the interviewer (who turns out to be the manager), with a suit and hair full of gel, the employee has simple work clothes. Benjamin thinks it makes him look younger, like someone in his mid-twenties.
Apparently, since item checking is an everyday thing, they need all the staff to be able to write and read like a recent college graduate.
Benjamin listens to his fellow employee all carefully and lets out a sigh of relief knowing that the job isn't difficult. All he has to do is move around the hotel, carry the necessary things, and diligently clean the hallways and windows. Arranging rooms, stocking up on supplies, and organizing the linens are the maids' duties.
"You're doing fine. You'll get used to it soon," says the fellow employee to Benjamin. This is his first day, so he is only following his demonstration.
"Thank you. I'll work very hard."
"You're lively, I like that. If you keep doing that and get the manager's attention, you may get a green pass."
A green pass is an identification card that allows you to go in and out of the Green City on a V.I.P. wagon. Not only that, you can even live in New Town, just outside of Green City. And of course, getting a good education and a house will be easier. That is what Benjamin desperately wants. More than anything.
"I hope you can live in the city. Of course, it's not that great either, but it's better than Old City."
"Ah...yes. That would be nice."
"Haha, is that too grandiose a thing to say from day one?"
"Not at all, it's motivation."
The fellow employee smiles and pats Benjamin on the shoulder hearing the excited yet firm response. He knows how difficult it is for Old City dwellers to work in Green City. Even a decade of dedication can be considered fast. He adds that Benjamin should go slowly and not burden himself too much.
Benjamin nods.
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