Providence

Right to Food, Clothing and Medical care

Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of themselves and of their family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond their control.

--- UN General Assembly, 1948, Universal declaration of human rights (217 [III] A). Paris. Art. 25.1

As the three girls climb higher and higher, the stairs become more cramped, and the ceiling becomes lower. Erin has to tilt her head to not grace the randomly spaced lanterns. The windows become sparser, but the view outside of each window is breathtaking.

After walking for another hour, the cramped hallway suddenly gives way to a landing, that is tens of meters wide. The floors are made from brass, like everything in this city, and the walls are detailed with similar engravings as the ground floor. The ceiling is definitely over four meters high. Erin finally feels like she can breathe again, after being in the cramped stairwell for too long.

The room is mostly empty, except for a large market stall, standing in the centre. Unlike the rest of the city, the market stall is made from a grey metal, probably iron. Behind the stall sits a human-sized robot. The robot is the same colour as the stall and made from a giant mismatch of bolts and gears. Its glass eyes glow brightly red like flames. It has a giant square jaw adorned with metal teeth. Behind the jaw, where the mouth should be, there is a gaping opening leading to a bunch of gears and blades. It reminds Erin of the opening of a paper shredder. Or maybe a meat grinder.

It speaks in a strange, robotic voice. "Welcome Pilgrims. Welcome to the first trial."

Erin and Gwen look at each other. What the hell is that thing? Sadie seems unfazed and eagerly walks to the stall.

"We are honoured to meet a creation of the angels," Sadie says. "And we look forward to proving our devotion. Can you explain what the trial is?"

Gears start to turn on the robot's head. It slowly turns his head, so the bright red eyes stare directly at Sadie. This whole process takes over a minute. It gives Erin the shivers. When the head finished turning. The gears stop, and the robot speaks again with its strange robotic voice.

The Robot starts to explain. "Right before the angels landed on Tartaros, the people went hungry. Their crops failed, and their food reserves were destroyed. The angels supplied the population with the Photosynth generator. Since then the population has had plenty of food. Today, we want you to show us that the food you receive is more than plentiful. Please donate one or multiple pieces of food, and deposit them into the robot's mouth."

The voice sounds crackling and mechanical as if it is prerecorded. A strange clicking sound comes from the robot during it.

"You are completely free to choose what food you donate, and how much. But do keep in mind that the more food you donate, the more the angels will love you."

"We ..." stutters Erin. "We cannot."

"If you already have eaten all of your food, you need to get creative," the robot tells. The same click sounds at the beginning and end of each message. It freaks Erin out.

"No, we didn't eat all the food," Sadie yells at the Robot. "Someone," she glares at Erin, "gave all of our food away. To a heretic."

Erin rolls her eyes. "I would do it again,"

Sadie shakes her head. "I knew the angels would be disappointed in us."

Erin slaps her hand on the table of the market stall. "Hey, Robot, you state this whole trial is about giving away food to show it is plentiful. We just gave away three bags full of food to the less privileged. We already fulfilled the spirit of your trial."