Danny, the young man who put up posters in Portland had gotten a new job, since the posters were no longer needed. He was delivering pizzas. He was making bank because delivery drivers for pizza places and other fast food restaurants were practically non-existent now. Oh there were still uber drivers, but their services were quite a bit more expensive for the ones who used them than the companies who had their own drivers.
This was Danny’s day off, although his boss had tried to get him to work today, as well, because their pizza place was one of the few left in the Portland area who delivered. He had reluctantly said no because the money was almost too good to pass on, but decided he needed a break worse than the money. He was taking a walk downtown out of curiosity to see first hand what changes had occurred as a result of the homeless solution.
He thought how being told about changes was not the same as seeing it with your own eyes. He walked past the area where there had been 200 people gathered and drug dealing rampant and saw a beautiful block with neatly trimmed grass growing and flowers draped over the edges of huge pots. He had to look at the neighboring shops to get his bearings and to reassure himself that he was in the same place!
Many of the shops that the homeless had worked in before had ‘help wanted’ signs hanging in the windows and most of the fast food places were closed down altogether. This was a surprise to Danny, as he had thought most of the homeless were beggars. He had to admit the city looked a hundred times better and it looked like tourists were coming back.
He wandered over to the warehouse where Beth and her pet mouse had been living. To his surprise, the building had been completely cleared away. He wondered what had happened to Beth and Stretch. He walked over to the mission where many of the homeless had gone every day to eat. It was all boarded up, not being needed anymore. After Danny had his curiosity satisfied, he returned home.
James and Mason got together at a city council meeting to talk about the progress of the homeless solution. James addressed the council meeting, telling them about the recent increase in property values, the complete elimination of the homeless and the increase in tourist trade. “We should be very proud of ourselves, being the first city to eliminate the homeless!” he said. Mason said, “I would like to bring up a little problem that has come up as a direct result of the homeless solution. Many of our fast food places have closed as a result and it is almost impossible to get a pizza or a chicken sandwich delivered at home any more. I hadn’t realized so many of the homeless worked and that it would impact us in this way. With the tourist trade increasing, we will need to figure something out because they do depend on fast food for the most part. What can we do?”
Lenny Parson said, “I have an idea. What if we brought back the homeless who are on the cruise ship out in the harbor and had them staff the restaurants? That would save us a ton of money, taking care of them.”
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Jenny Atkins asked, “Where would they stay? Would they just go back to being homeless?”
Lenny said, “Heaven forbid! We just got over all of that. With the money we save paying the crew on the ship and all of the supplies we get for them, we can build several apartment buildings that are designated for them and simply keep the rent and utilities reasonable enough so that it is affordable for them.”
Jenny said, “I get it. They will have to go along with our plan because they couldn’t afford to move anywhere else!”
“Exactly!” said Lenny
Meanwhile in LA, Sarah was busier than ever preparing homeless people for the cruise ship. As she checked the showers, she thought, “I haven’t heard anything else about preparing the elderly for the resort. I wonder if that is off the table and if so, what will happen to all of these older people?” She checked the food line next and the supply of food to make sure there was plenty for the day. Sarah decided to take a break and eat since this was probably the slowest the food line would get for now.
Sarah walked over to one of the picnic tables and asked the young lady with red hair if she could sit with her. The lady smiled and nodded. Sarah sat down and sighed. It felt so good to be off of her feet. The young lady spoke to her as she took a sip of her pepsi. “I have been watching you and you haven’t stopped for a moment all morning, until now. Do you work this hard every day?”
Sarah said, “It’s a pretty busy place, but it gives me a sense of fulfillment, working here.”
The young lady said, “My name is Miranda, what is yours?”
Sarah introduced herself and said, “Miranda, there are showers, if you need them and there is plenty of food. Please help yourself!”
Miranda said, “No, actually I was waiting for a chance to talk with you.” When Sarah looked up from eating , surprised, Miranda said, “What do you think the people find when they go out on the cruise ships? And up to the resort?”
Sarah asked, “What do you mean?”
Miranda asked, “Do you know what happened to the people in Portland?”
Sarah said, “I did this same work in Portland.”
“But do you know what happened to the elderly and the addicts? Do you have any clue?” Miranda persisted.
Sarah looked her in the eyes and said, “Yes.”
“How do you feel about it?” Miranda asked.
“I feel like it is no better than what Hitler did to my people.” Sarah said emphatically!
“Then why don’t you do something about it?” Miranda asked.
“I am only one person; what can I do?” Sarah asked. “I’m sorry Miranda; I would like to continue this conversation, but I’m needed. Can you write down your phone number and bring it to me, please?”