Chapter 26: Joy in the Rain, Part 3

The wanderer guy continues...

"The masses don't like it. Making things worse is the excessive injustice they experience on a daily basis from their employers and masters... With all the crap they are enduring, they will find every chance they can get to get back at the 'educated goody-two-shoes classes who always think they know better' – and one of those chances is the elections. The great equalizer.

"The reason may be petty. Their vote is no longer hinged on a 'better future', and they have a learned helplessness where they already decided not to cast their futures on any politician. Maybe… just maybe... this is what the masses are currently thinking outside of our bubbles.

"If we are to grow as a society, we have to learn and adapt to this reality. We should not pick a fight and belittle anyone, because they will drift away and will not listen to you."

I simply reply…

"So… You are instigating a class war?"

"A class war? That is so 20th century, you know. Violence is no longer a solution to everything. We must take action without someone getting hurt."

"Have you ever tried talking to those elitist bosses?"

"I've tried that earlier, bro. Seems not to work here. They're fanatics in denial.

"They're… they're just… I dunno what to call them without calling them names. Why are they denying that they're toxic? If you don't believe me yet, I'll let you read those random discussions. Here."

He then shows us three some samples of random conversations that show how the employers are treating the employees badly.

I can see clips of employers calling the employees names, treating them like house-help for just a cup of coffee even though they are perfectly capable of making one themselves, and there's even a boss who is a pig – both in terms of his body mass and his chauvinist attitude.

That reminds me of an anime series featuring an office lady trying to endure those things and more at her workplace… by singing death metal at the karaoke.

"See? With those clips alone, you'll know the answer. They really look down on us; and in recent days, what they're saying to us is much, much worse. Oh well, it's the natural consequence of being at the top: You feel lonely."

He then has us listen to some audio clips of the bosses delivering those he claims to be worse insults.

"I wish your place will be run over by a hurricane! I won't help you ever."

"I wish those who vote for him will lose their jobs for good."

"If you're being ravaged by a natural disaster, I won't donate. I will watch you suffer."

Leigh just sighs as she hears the insults.

"My gosh. Why do they have to stir up drama? For drama's sake, perhaps? Or maybe they're just lacking sleep."

The wanderer guy finalizes...

"See? First, negative campaigning; and now, they're propagating negative thinking. It's obviously they're so up in their ivory towers that they don't want to hear what the employees really want. Close-minded to a fault. They belittle the likes of us, acting like crabs in a bucket, dragging everyone else down. Darn disappointing."

The drizzle continues.

I simply tell the wanderer guy…

"Well then… good luck to you and your plans. Who know, your actions will have a ripple effect on society."

"I understand. A little encouragement is better than nothing, anyway. So then… I have to go now."

"Keep us updated on your endeavor, OK?"

"Of course, of course! I can be found on all known social media networks. Remember the name… Dokito the 17th!"

"Alright. See you later, then."

He then speeds off on his bike.

We all check the time.

It's 4:05 pm.

Still a bit early to go home.

And then…

Aurora smells something tarty; and the smell itself, combined with the scent of the rain, makes it even more alluring.

She then tugs our shoulders and points us towards the direction of a fruits and vegetables store.

Leigh and I read the sign.

"Unity Fresh Produce Shop".

Hmm… this seems to be a newly-opened shop, huh? Judging from the new paint job and all.

OK, Aurora, we'll lead you towards the shop. We're almost fresh out of fresh fruits in our kitchen, anyway.

Unity Fresh Produce Shop.

It's a nice little shop with an ambiance that is light and airy.

The fruits and vegetables are cleanly organized and labeled for easy identification.

There are enough refrigeration units to preserve the freshness of the produce and prolong their shelf life, due to the seasonal nature of the produce themselves.

One store employee is giving out free samples of fresh strawberries, and that's where the tarty smell comes from.

I take a look at the label, and…

"Organic Strawberry Mk. 326"?

What a weird name.

But no matter. Aurora smelled its alluring essence, so that at least cancels the weird naming scheme out.

We don't hesitate in trying out the berries themselves.

Hmm… they do indeed have the tarty taste, but there's a hint of sweetness thanks to the fructose that is naturally contained within them.

And without hesitation, we buy the strawberries right away, at just $1.50 for a quarter of a kilogram.

Before one asks, the entire store supports small-time farmers, so at least we're helping them earn their rightful money.

We're also sure to make an awesome parfait with these that all of us can enjoy.

Before we depart from the store, the cashier gives us a calling card.

Alright, we're sure to relay this useful info to Felicia the head cook.

We're finally out of the store, and the rain finally stops.

It's now 5 pm.

We need to get back to the apartment and rest for a bit before we get off to work again!

Evening then falls.

We're all back at Mushy Baby's Drift, Leigh and I are performing as Brave Ad 65 once more, and Aurora is the VIP once more.

Right before our show, we flashed the calling card of Unity Fresh Produce Shop to Felicia, and she's none the happier about it.

"Thank you, you three! I knew you would be as dependable as ever."

Leigh cuts in, "But please give credit to Aurora here. If it weren't for her and her extraordinary sense of smell, we wouldn't have found the store itself."

Of course, our third-wheel girl is so flustered by this.

The joy in the rain we've experienced can and will wash away whatever ails us.

And sometimes lead us to wonderful things.