Rick left before the sun rose.
Walked down the highway to the temporary agency and curled up in front of the door.
Work there is first come first serve so he makes sure he is first in line.
It’s been raining for a week straight, so the kind of work he usually gets assigned is not available.
He needs money today.
Room rent is due.
Having to pay day by day is not where he thought he would be, especially since he served his country. Veterans should be taken care of better than this.
Thinking about what should have been or could have been isn't going to feed him.
He needs some work today.
Few workers are called out.
Each time the name isn’t his Rick worries.
Doesn’t want his dog to have to sleep outside.
Office closes at noon for lunch.
Rick walks around aimlessly until the office reopens.
Finally, a moving job.
If the client tips he just might be able to make rent.
The end client has given his son $500 to tip the movers.
He hands the driver $300.
$200 will be going up his nose.
The driver gives the temps a hundred dollar bill to split.
He will be paying for company tonight.
Rick is happy.
Another day of being warm and dry.
Danni can't remember when shit got this bad.
When stuffing stolen items into a girdle became her daily routine. Selling the ill begotten gains outside of the factories in order to feed her kids.
She’s not a drug addict or a terrible person, she’s a mother.
Record is peppered with shoplifting charges knows that each time she “goes to work” she’s taking “Penitentiary chances”
Her babies have to eat.
She also has to make sure that Deacon, her boyfriend is okay.
Deacon is named after the religious occupation.
That is where his religious leanings stop.
The only male of six children.
To say he is spoiled is an understatement.
Hangs out with some more good for nothings at the bus terminal.
He sells “jail broke” fire sticks.
Winds up bringing in about $100 a day.
It could be more, if he spent less time drinking and smoking and more time selling.
Deacon has no problem eating food that Danni steals or buys with her children’s food stamps.
While his woman is being wrestled to the floor of Burlington Coat Factory© he’s passed out on the benches at the transfer center.
When he gets to the extended stay hotel the 11 year old has fed the younger kids but Danni is not home.
The next day Deacon is gone.
It’s a week before CPS is notified.
The kids are placed in foster care 2 days before Danni gets out of jail.
