‘You
don’t have enough Points, Sir.’
She
watched the hope fade and new emotions vied for dominance. Anger, despair,
frustration. Resignation. Fighting to keep her own expression blank, she risked
a quick glance around. No one was watching; the guy hadn’t made a fuss. He was
just slumped, trying to find the energy to head back to the Employment Office
where he would be assigned more work to earn Points to pay for his treatment.
She coughed and slid a hand across the desk. She slipped the paper to the man.
As soon as his grubby, chapped fingers touched the note she called out ‘NEXT!’
And
so the day continued.
