On the second day, 216 people were transported to the ship and 82 drug users were transported to the clinic. The young man who was checking people into the clinic commented to the girl who was assigned to answer the phones, “This place is almost filled to capacity. They are going to have to get some of these people sober and moving out to the cruise ships before we can accept new arrivals.”

The girl smiled at him and said, “I think they have it under control. We actually have new vacancies on the second floor, besides the 100 rooms that haven’t been used yet. I see, according to the paperwork, only 82 people showed up today, so there is plenty of room.”

The young man scratched his head and said, “Those doctors must have some kind of miracle cure to be able to help get drug users cured in only one day!” He went on doing his job, shaking his head.

Clark, the head of the planning commission, had a meeting to address the committee about the progress on the homeless pilot program. He had conflicted feelings about the clinic. It was being handled differently than he had originally thought it would be. “I called you all together today to share the progress of the first two days of our pilot program for the homeless solution. At this point, 416 people have been transported to the first ship and have been incorporated into jobs to keep the ship operating as efficiently as possible. 232 people have been transported to the clinic. By our best calculations, the first ship should be nearly full within a week, if we leave 200 vacancies for any more families that we will probably find, so that one week from now, we will be filling up the second boat. We will mainly have families on the ship, Paradise Found so that we only need schools on one of the three ships. The other two, Tropical Cabana and Heavenly Home will be adult only ships. We will continue to keep a close watch on everything having to do with this project and will reconvene in one week, if that works for you all.

There was a din of noise as everyone present began to discuss the progress among themselves. James walked up to Clark and asked, “How are things going at the clinic? What I really want to know is, when will you be ready for the elderly and the disabled?”

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Clark answered, “Not for another couple of weeks. Keep in touch with me and I will let you know . Oh hello, Susan. You did a beautiful job with the catering, here. Thank you! We will plan on having you cater the next event if you are available. See you then!”

Danny walked toward the warehouse where he had met Darlene. As he entered, Officer Walter was just leaving. He carried two large trash bags to dispose of. “Hello Officer!” Danny said. Do you happen to know if Darlene is still here or if she already left for the cruise ship?”

The officer answered, “Yes, she is here. She is trying to convince the others to try living on the ship, before she goes. She has a real mother’s heart.” He had to get going so he could cover his beat.

Danny spied Darlene and walked over to her. She seemed distracted. They greeted each other and Danny looked over in the direction Darlene kept looking in. He saw a lady laying down on her bedroll, holding out a bread crust. She said, “Come here, Stretch. I have your favorite here. Officer Walter brought us some cheesy bread.” She was looking under the table, where a little mouse was watching her and everything going on in the room. He stretched himself out to where he looked like a limousine because he was so long. He didn’t seem scared, just cautious.

Darlene took him over to meet the lady. “Danny, this is Beth and Beth this is Danny.” They both said ‘hello’ and Beth turned back to calling Stretch. She changed her mind and got up slowly, walking halfway to where Stretch was waiting and put his cheesy bread down slowly, before walking back to her bedroll. Stretch watched all of this and glanced around the room before taking a cautious stroll to the food. He sniffed it and then started eating it. Beth smiled at his acceptance of her gift.

Darlene and Danny walked back to the makeshift kitchen and she explained to Danny that she was very worried about Beth. “I am trying to hold out going to the ship in hopes that Beth will go. She is so attached to that mouse that I don’t think she will leave him behind. I’m afraid she has some mental problems, Danny. Is there some way you or someone you know can help her?”