The Better Future Facility

Ash was falling from the sky again. Evan absently brushed his hands through his salt and pepper hair, although he knew ash would continue to dust the city through his entire walk to work. This was a side effect of the new factory, the Better Future Facility. “This city’s new BFF,” Mayor Hurst had joked when he was sworn into office.

Besides the artificial snow, the city had never been cleaner since Mayor Hurst took the city by storm. This was one of his many promises; to clean the streets of Oren of any and all dirt and scum.

This included the freeloading beggars that had once littered the streets like lice on a scalp.

Evan let out an involuntary shiver. Poverty had gotten out of control since the previous mayor had set up homeless-friendly benches and parks. As a result, more and more people abandoned their jobs and homes to beg on the streets. Evan used to take a longer route to work just to avoid the puppy dog eyes various men and women would put on as an act in order to scrape up some free cash. Everyone knew they just used it on drugs and alcohol anyway. You should never give money to a homeless person.

It had been months since Evan had seen any hobos on the streets. Mayor Hurst had clearly stuck to his word and created more jobs and opportunities for these vagrants.

A flash of light caught Evan’s eye. To his right he could make out two figures exchanging hands down an alley. After another flash, Evan realized it was a shiny silver coin glinting in the sun.

Evan stumbled slightly, cringing as his bad knee sent a twinge of pain down to his ankle. Under the new initiative, it was cruel to give handouts to the homeless. It would only keep them on the streets begging for more. Evan watched as the taller figure, a large man in a brown overcoat, patted the small woman on the shoulder. Evan shook his head as he pulled out his cellular device. He clicked a button and brought it to his ear.

“Hello!” a high pitched voice lilted through the earpiece. “This is Maria, a volunteer with the Clean the Streets initiative under Mayor Hurst. How can I assist you?”

“There is a man giving money to a homeless woman,” Evan hissed into the phone. “I’m at the intersection of 1200 and 300 Street.”

“Thank you for informing us. We will send a team immediately.”

The line clicked, and Evan put away his phone. He glanced at his watch and grumbled to himself. If he stayed, he’d be late to work. But it was important to help this beggar reach her highest potential and stop all handouts from strangers.

“Excuse me!” Evan called out. His voice was shaky, from age or nerves, he wasn’t sure. He cleared his throat and squared his shoulders. The two figures were wide eyed as Evan limped toward them, cursing his bad knee under his breath. The man was bald and had large, raccoon eyes that contrasted with his milky white skin. The homeless woman, on the other hand, had stringy blonde hair and eyes sunk deep into her skull. Her skin was covered in a layer of grime. She appeared malnourished, but everyone knew these beggars were talented con artists.

“I couldn’t help but notice you gave money to this woman,” Evan said. “It is a huge disservice to her. She will never learn to take care of herself if she is constantly relying on others.”

A small, black dog peered out from under her, and Evan did everything he could not to roll his eyes. A dog? Really?

“She just needs a little help to get back on her feet,” Racoon man said in a deep, baritone voice. “It was a small act of kindness. It won’t harm anyone.”

“No, sir,” Evan continued. “The act of kindness would be to let her suffer short term so that she can learn to be self sufficient.”

Evan leaned down and pried the coin out of the woman’s grasp, trying not to gag at her clammy hands. She whimpered slightly; a mouse disappointed that the cheese didn’t come for free.

The Raccoon man balled his hands into fists. “How could you possibly think that is an act of kindness?”

“I am only motivating her to seek out a better life,” Evan sniffed. “Mayor Hurst has plenty of jobs available to help her rise up in society.”

“I have two broken ankles,” the woman whispered. “I have been turned down by every job I’ve applied to.”

Evan frowned. “Then you must be applying to the wrong jobs. As you can see,” Evan raised his arms, gesturing around him, “you are the only homeless person around. Clearly there is a job for everyone.”

A loud siren pierced the air around them. Racoon man looked up in a panic, while the wilting woman began shaking like a leaf on a cool autumn day. She pulled the black dog to her chest.

“You called the authorities?” Racoon man accused.

“Of course I did! You should know better than to put this woman at a disadvantage.”

A black, windowless van turned the corner and blocked off the entrance to the alley. Two officers in bright orange rompers jumped out and crept towards the homeless woman, arms up like they were placating a stray animal. One man had a big, bushy mustache and the other had skin dark as night.

“Ma’am, we are here to help. Come in the van and we will take you to the Better Future Facility.”

Ah, yes, Evan thought. The facility seems to be in constant use. I’m sure there are plenty of jobs available there.

Evan watched as the woman was pulled to her feet. The two men dragged her to the van since her ankles were truly broken. Tears streaked down her grimy face while the black dog barked at the officers’ feet. The mustached man kicked the dog to the side where it hunched into itself like an elderly man that no longer had the will to live.

Once the woman was secured in the van, the officer with the ebony skin addressed Raccoon man. “And you, sir… will you accompany her to her new job?”

Racoon man’s face was a light shade of green, similar to the sewer water that ran through the city. “No. I would like to return to my job now.”

The officer clicked his tongue. “It wasn’t really a question. You will be coming with us.”

Racoon man started to run toward the alley entrance, but the officers were faster. They tackled him to the ground and cuffed his arms behind his back.

“No, I have a wife and children,” Racoon man begged as he strained against the restraints. “They need me.”

“There’s no need to panic,” the mustached officer consoled. “No one wants for anything in our beautiful city of Oren.”

Racoon man was shoved into the van, and the officers saluted Evan as they drove away to the Better Future Facility. Despite the acts of violence it took to shove those two in the car, Evan felt his heart swell at the thought that Racoon man and the woman would have a better life soon. It took one small act of kindness to change one’s mood.

Evan passed the factory on his way to work. There were lines of previously homeless men and women lined up outside of the brick building like ants on their way to a picnic. He paused to watch them enter through the thick metal doors. They were starting a new life full of hard work and possibilities. Their new BFF.

Once everyone was inside the Better Future Facility, ash started to fall from the sky again.