hibisc

What is it this time, Hibiscus? I've humored you and gotten the checkup. You do what you do with the other workers.

It's not about the physical screening! You have to be here today, Mr. Gali!

Stop pulling my sleeve, I've got to fill the boss's orders...

Hey! Gimme back my keys!

I finally found an expert who can come in and help find out why everyone in the workshop's conditions have been flaring up with no rhyme or reason!

I'm not giving you back your keys unless you cooperate!

Hey, stop it, you brat!

Take it easy, Hibiscus... What's the matter, Gali? Have you eaten yet?

Wallen? Stop her!

There's no use hiding behind him!

Yeah, you can't hide now that I've gotten skinnier!

Remember to watch what you eat so you don't regain all that excess body fat!

I know, I know.

What happened to the guy who used to complain about the annoying new doctor? Still can't believe Hibiscus managed to win your stubborn ass over.

You askin' for a fist to the face? Hibiscus, I caught him drinking beer last night, all those empty cans...

Hey now! Don't listen to him!

Well, I've been monitoring everyone's vitals... Once should be fine, I guess, but don't do it again!

...You sure are patient. The doctors from the last hospital couldn't wait to get away from here once they saw a bunch of Infected.

No wonder the patient records were full of errors. We should continue to work together, Mr. Gali. Rhodes Island treats the Infected with care and attention!

Fine, fine, I'll think about it. Just gimme back my car keys.

Huh? That's a completely different matter! The expert still hasn't...

I know, I know, it's your first mission, you want to look good. Don't worry, I'll put in a good word with your supervisor.

That's not the problem, Mr. Gali! I really do suspect that—

Well, look at that, a personal welcome from the boss?

What are you doing here in the middle of the day, dressed like <i>that</i>? Do all government employees have this much free time?

I guess the rumors of you mellowing out have been greatly exaggerated. I'm not here to argue.

Then... Hey, what's that equipment on your back? It's not time for the annual inspection yet! Besides, you're not who handles our inspections—

Forgot to take your meds or something? You think I'd have come on my own without being asked?

Are you Mr. Edgar?

Wait, don't tell me <i>this</i> guy is the expert you were talking about?

Mr. Gali! Mr. Gali! I...

One second.

Yes, I'll take care of the rest... Bye.

The results are in. The safety equipment is really worn-out, with lots of cracks in the isolation shell. No wonder the workers keep getting sick.

Folks from the Engineering Department tell me this part is out of production, and that it'd be cheaper to just buy a new machine.

A new machine, eh?

I know it's not cheap, but the workers will never get better in this environment.

Alright, we'll get it replaced.

...Really?

If a few quid is all it takes. We're all old neighbors from the slums.

Thank you! But it might take more than a few quid... here's the catalogue.

...You could buy half my workshop with that kind of cash!

Well, there's also this.

An industrial equipment subsidy... did you get that from Edgar?

I understand that you might have some history with him, but these are all official documents, and I added comments where the legalese gets confusing.

I can even fill out the form for you, if you're busy. All you'll need to do is review it before signing.

I see... Oh, Hibiscus, your office just called. They want you to go back.

Huh? Why would they call you?

I was so busy I didn't even realize that the contract expired half a month ago. I'll work out your pay...

No need for that, Mr. Gali! I'm here as a volunteer!

No, but...

It's okay, really! I was planning to stay a little longer anyway. I'll talk to the head office.

Cleaning up the workshop, installing the new equipment, plus the necessary safety training... All that will take at least a month. You'll be short-handed.

Once the new equipment is ready, I'll also need to follow-up with everyone, to make sure there's no rebound—

It's okay, Hibiscus. You've done enough.

Do you have a lot of stuff? I can take the car out.

...Are you having problems, Mr. Gali?

If money is the issue, I can help you apply for a medication subsidy that all factories that employ Infected are eligible for.

Don't try to take on everything alone! It's okay to accept help from others once in a while. And I could introduce you to—

For heaven's sake, could you just stop?! Has it never occurred to you that you're my biggest problem?

What do you...?

Do you know how much delay your checkups have caused? My phone's been ringing for two days straight with all the people demanding to know when their orders will be ready!

I... I'm sorry, Mr. Gali, I didn't know the factory was so backlogged. But I've adjusted the treatment plan...

Enough. I know you want to look good, to feel like you've accomplished something on your first mission.

But first you called Edgar here, and now you want to me stop working and replace my equipment? Everyone could be out on the streets starving by tomorrow!

...Are you that concerned that you won't be able to deliver on time? Don't worry, I've looked it up!

Work delays due to equipment repair and replacement are eligible for city subsidies, legal relief, and health subsidies... for up to a month.

Mr. Edgar said that the facility is eligible for an equipment subsidy that will cut the out-of-pocket expense for new machines in half!

Enough! Edgar this, Edgar that! Do you even know who he is? Do you know which noble holds the leash on his collar?

Little factories like us can't afford to miss a deadline. Health subsidies? They'll just end up in somebody else's pocket!

I-I'll get it cleared up, make sure everything is actually in order...

Get back here! Do you still not get it?

Every time you do any of this shit, someone learns about it, and those nobles take another bloody cut out of my pocket!

No wonder there were new inspection stamps on the aging machines... No wonder the supervisor at the city council looked confused when I brought him the files...

Your factory isn't licensed, is it? It's a private sweatshop employed by nobles.

Yes! Do you finally get it? The best thing you can do for me is pack your stuff and get your ass back to that Rhodes Island!

Okay, I'll go, but there's one last thing I want to check first.

Are the results from the previous hospital's checkups accurate, or were they fudged?

Because I don't see how such mild symptoms could deteriorate so much in just a year.

It's not a problem with the data, is it? It's the work... you made them trade their lives for money, didn't you?!

So what if I did? Their lives would be worth even less if I didn't get them these jobs! Where do you think we are, Londinium?

How many boots do you think I had to lick just to hire the Infected? All so I could take on orders the uninfected workers wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole!

You...

Are you guys arguing?

No, just talking... About work.

Whatever. Edgar came back and went around the workshop measuring stuff. And something about taking half a month off?

Would those big companies even agree to that when we haven't finished their orders? ...Hey, why aren't you guys saying anything? What's going on, Gali?

Just get back to work, Wallen. I'll take care of it.

You'll take care of it... Kid, we're sick, not dying. Don't try to take everything on yourself.

If the factory's having trouble... you can always take on more orders. We can handle it.

Wallen...

Don't worry, I'll let you know if I ever really need help.

Alright, then come and get your grub when you're done here. We saved plenty of meat for you.

...They knew?

They're Infected, not stupid. The only way they can live a better life is to make the most of their already-infected bodies.

But that's only because they don't have a choice. It doesn't mean they have to just sit and take it. It doesn't mean they can't have hope for the future!

Hope? You kidding me?

Do you expect the fat bastards above us to suddenly grow a conscience and start handing out money? Or the workers to eat your bland-ass food every day until they're sick to death of it?

When you don't have long to live, might as well use that time to earn some cash and make life better <i>now</i>.

...Do you really think that's what they want?