Jane shoves her backpack under the desk and snatches up the envelope waiting on her keyboard.
Payday. Her first payday, after how long?
She tears the flap open, eager to see how far she has come, how far she can go now that she’s among the working again, and her face falls in dismay as she reads the number. Even two of these a month will not cover rent on the lowest listings she’s seen, and what about all those other luxuries, like food, electricity, toilet paper?
That she hates this place merely adds insult to…well, insult.
Every week, Ivy at Uncharted hosts the Six Sentence Stories flash fiction linkup. This week’s cue was “point.” More fun Sixes from other writers are here. Join us!
99 Monkeys 
Poor Jane didn’t she realise what she was to be paid after all the usual deductions or sadly has she spent more than she should already. Now the truth sinks in!
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A harsh truth!
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No point in carrying on with that job then! Nice one.
Click to read my tale
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Thank you!
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I can feel her pain. Sometimes we work so hard, there are so many expenses, we ask, what’s the point? Some employers take your blood and offer a pittance in return. Hope keeps us going, and Jane as well, I think.
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The rat race, for sure!
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This is a sad reality for many in the working class now. A month’s pay cannot begin to cover basic expenses, much less insurance, medical needs, clothing, etc. It’s a tragedy and my heart goes out to your character, not much motivation to work hard on a job that won’t support you!
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Times are tough, and many don’t realize how expensive it is to be poor.
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It’s a common story among the young people, they work so hard for a pittance and have to get roommates to share expenses. Then if one roomie loses a job or gets ill and can’t work, the house of cards collapses.
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Exactly!
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damn those deductions! especially the aggravated security! it’s the biggest of the bunch!
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Yes, it is! “Aggravated security.” I like it. 🙂
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Oh gosh…been there, horrible–but great story.
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Thank you!
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Most welcome 🙂
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