[Rank Dispatches, with Brother 3000]
From time to time, we cab drivers fulfill requests that are clearly beyond the call of duty, becoming flower deliverers, posties, shoppers, midwives... Not even the esteemed Sterling Heights Institute of Taxi Etiquette can cover all the bases.
The day had started off fine but an ugly pall of grey had devoured the sun by lunchtime. A call came over the radio for a pick-up at a block of villa units, and I was on to it. The second unit looked just like the others, which all looked hideous in an acceptable, suburban kind of way.
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At least 30 seconds elapsed before a second knock on the door proved more fruitful and when it opened I saw a girl of around 20 standing in front of me but not really there. Her attempt at a smile was betrayed by a serious looking black-eye which looked like a piece of coal had been super-glued to it. She explained that her dole form was due but she couldn't attend in the state she was in, so offered me $15 to present it on her behalf. She said she'd 'fallen down the stairs'. I acquiesced but came away from her single-storey abode feeling a little numb. |
The Centrelink office is shocking for parking as they think the unemployed don't have cars, but I managed to find an oblique space marked 'Case Manager'.
Inside, the pungent air of defeat filled the charcoal and pink interior while a sizeable queue foiled my plans for a quick getaway. A familiar feeling of dread hit me like a punch in the face. Trapped within were the usual suspects: the disaffected youth, the 57-year-old middle managers and everyone else in between. They numbered about twelve. I thought I saw a poster which said: 'UNEMPLOYMENT JUST ISN'T WORKING', and another: 'd + o + o + m spells DOOM', while a life-size hologram of the Grim Reaper waited patiently in the corner. |
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Finally reaching the only open window after 25 minutes, I handed over the form explaining the situation. The surly, spotty clerk looked skeptical but I didn't care, I just wanted to get out. I turned towards the door and had to quicken my pace when I noticed Death trying to ankle-tap me with his scythe.
Bursting outside, I paused to take a deep breath and pondered the fate of the girl who, despite everything, had a reprieve for at least another fortnight.