Inequalities #4

Imagine you are applying for a new job, how does the interview go, and how much money are you likely to earn?

Saturday. A free day to help out poor people. I wonder if there’s a volunteer job to help them out. I ask my chauffeur to take me into town. Driving along the streets, I see a sign. On the front is written in big bold blue letters: ‘Help the poor!! Hiring today*!!’ On the bottom, in smaller letters, it says: ‘*As this is volunteer work, you will not get paid. You will only be provided with money to help the poor.’ I request my chauffeur to pull over on the side of the road. “I’ll call you when I need to be picked up,” I advise him. “ In the meantime, you can have some free time. Use this.” I say as I hand him a wad of cash. “Have fun.” “Uh- Thank you?” He stammers. “You deserve to have some fun after driving me around all week.” I declare. “Bye”. As I get out he waves kindly and smiles. “You have fun too”.

Walking into the building, I realise how nervous I am. I can feel butterflies fluttering inside me. I go up to the front desk and ask if I can volunteer. “You might be too young sweetheart, but I can ask the boss.” The lady says kindly. As she leaves to ask the boss I presume, I take in my surroundings. Plush grey couches line the room, a grey carpet is in the middle. This may seem like a dull room with all the grey but they’ve brightened it up with other things. Such as teal cushions on the couches. Bright paintings of trees and waterfalls on the walls. An elegant light hangs in the middle of the room, shaped like a rose, rose gold and white. It illuminates the room. Finally, the lady comes back. “He’ll see honey. You can go in soon after that old grouch is finished.” “Thank you” I reply. “You may have a seat on the sofas if you like.” “Sofas??” I question, not knowing the word. “The seats over there. Have you never had a sofa before?” “Sorry, I call them couches.” She chuckles,“Oh, that’s okay honey, you may have a seat if you like.” She gestures toward the couches. “Thank you,” I respond. I sit. Indulging in the soft, plush fabric, I feel as if I could fall asleep right here right now. As I start to doze, I hear a creaky door open. I look to see who it is. An old man comes out of a room in the corner. A room I didn’t even notice. That must be the grouchy old man that the lady was talking about. He looks grouchy to me. Now I see what the lady was talking about. “‘Ello, how ‘ya doin’ missy?” He asks. “Well, thank you,” I answer. I start to realise that he may look grouchy but underneath he’s actually polite and kind. “How are you?” I question. “I’m good thanks” He replies in his soft, low voice. “See ya around”. “Bye,” I answer as he leaves the building.

Eventually, I get called in by a man. Tall, dressed in a wrinkled suit, a stubbly beard covers his chin and jaw. “Good morning how are you today?” He queries. “Well, thank you. How about you?” I respond in the most polite, professional voice I can muster. “A little bit stressed but aside from that I’m also well.” He sighs. “Not many people are willing to volunteer you know. So, Why do you want to volunteer?” “I’ve been going downtown lately, and I’ve been seeing how little the people there have; so I’ve decided I want to help. I’ve already helped a little bit.” “Oh? Is that so?” Yes, sir, I’ve bought some school supplies and furniture for the school. I also helped them get clean water and medical bills.” “Well, that’s very kind of you. I’m assuming you have school so you can’t help out during the week?” I can help in the afternoons after school which is about 3:00.” “Oh, okay, that’s good. Do you think you can help us buy some things for them and help deliver it?” “Yes, I think so.” “I’ll see you at quarter past three on Monday then eh?” Yes sir, Have a good rest of the day.” “I will thank you, You too,” I say as he escorts me out. I get my phone out and call my chauffeur-Dave- and ask him to pick me up when he’s ready. While I wait, I think of my new job. I sigh, pleased as I sit down on a bench.