The Job Fair is bustling as always. People are delighted at the thought of leaving their shitty jobs for a shiny new one - never really connecting the dots that the new job is gonna be just as shitty. But then again, they can apply for a new one in another month, so why not take a chance? Society is ultimately designed to be fair during this trying time, and eventually everyone finds a place they can fit in.
Custodial Corps is in their usual corner, with booths set up for several different designations. TRD (Tunnel Repair Division) is the loneliest as usual, so Jestin T-043 decides to talk to them. No one wanting anything to do with the job means less scrutiny overall, which presents more opportunities to get away with shit. It's also a means of gaining respect; while those currently serving are looked down upon as dirty and crass, those who serve the full 30 years are revered with honor.
A choice between either working oneself to death for nothing, or working oneself to death something.
The recruiter's eyes gleam as Jestin-T043* walks up and looks at the paperwork. They don't wait, but launch into a spiel about benefits. Jestin hardly has a chance to think or say anything, and just like that their name ends up on the appropriate papers. As a token of gratitude, Jestin is handed container of fried mangelwurtzel & mushrooms – oily and filling and delicious. While Jestin T-043 are grateful to receive it... it also feels rather hollow a gift in exchange for signing away one's life. But then what is life worth here? What prospects are there? All Jestin T-043 is interested in, honestly, is just getting a bit more freedom before they expire, however short a time that may be.
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The days go by quickly then. The usual duties Jestin-T043* has to complete are replaced with preparations & exercise routines. They need to have specialty gear fitted that will protect them from radiation, poisonous gasses, and that creeping ooze that takes over unattended cracks. Everyone speaks brusquely to them; there is no 'hero's welcome' for new members of TDR; and why should there be? Life expectancy is going to be low; and it's a job just to get them to do what all they need to without complaint. It's one thing to sign up all bright eyed and hopeful, but the reality of the job is dark and grimy and unpleasant.
Jestin-T043* knows this because of MeicCai-U98. They met MeicCai-R027 by chance one Friday Fri-Yay years ago; both had snuck away to a corner to enjoy their bounty alone, but it was honestly too crowded to manage that. MeicCai-R027 carefully asked Jestin-T043* if it were alright to join them, and surprisingly Jestin-T043* said 'yes.' They don't know why they said yes. Social norms? An automatic reaction? More pleasantly, Jestin-T043* likes to think they noticed something special about MeicCai-R027, which led them to be more open to having company. It turned out that both shared terrible parents, and both similarly struggled with all the duties and expectations. MeicCai-R027
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MyccoHaccers: Prep for NaNoWriMo 2022
ActionAll the post-prep writing for MyccoHaccers from NaNoWriMo 2022 will go here. Please see the prep story for background info and earlier outlines/drafts/worldbuilding/etc.
