Labor V Elite

Sheep, sheep everywhere.

Sheep following along to pasture work.

Sheep finding mates.

Sheep producing offspring who will then

Follow along to pasture work.

*

John took the elevator to the 8th floor as he did six days a week. He worked his morning, sitting in front of a computer, answering and making phone calls and emails. He had 30 minutes for lunch to eat his processed meat sandwich, an apple, and room temperature tap water. He completed the rest of his 10-hour day, descended the elevator and started walking home along with hundreds of others.

On this particular day, he delayed stepping off the curb to walk across the street by mere seconds. An Elite driving a luxury car struck him full-on.

John woke up the next day in a bed with extremely soft sheets in a room with soft lighting and soothing music playing. His was the only bed in the room. He asked the nurse at his side, "Where am I?"

She said, "You are at the ECU, Elite Care Unit. It's normally reserved for The Elite only, but since your accident involved an Elite, you are privileged with the best care money can buy. I'm your personal nurse for the day. My name is Susan."

"Susan, may I have some water, please?"

"Sparkling? Ice? Lemon?"

"Just plain water... no wait...add a bit of ice, if it's not too much trouble."

She used a machine in the room and handed him an actual glass cup with round ice cubes. Before he could thank her, she said, "Oh, here's your breakfast."

She adjusted the bed to help him sit up while the tray was placed in front of him. Susan lifted the warmer lid. It was real meat and vegetables! Chicken with a sauce of some kind, with carrots and peas served on gold leaf dishware. John couldn't believe his eyes.

He savored every bite. He wanted to lick the plate but decided that would be unseemly.

Then Susan asked, "Would you like someone to rub your back?"

John said, "I couldn't possibly..."

"It's all part of Elite care."

John thought about the hospital he went to when he broke his arm as a kid. Long lines, long waits. community rooms everywhere, food not fit for a junkyard dog, served on plastic dishes.

He had virtually no pain, but John decided to let himself be pampered, just this once. His day was nothing like he had ever experienced. They washed and massaged every inch of him. They brought him snacks. Susan adjusted his pillows and helped him select music to his liking. He received physical therapy and was offered pain medication.

He knew The Elite were privileged, but he had no idea just how different their lives were. He and all the people he knew worked so hard for so little. He was beginning to wonder if The Elite even worked at all. He wondered how he could find out. The injustice was just too much. He had to spread the word.

Then, as if on cue, he was presented with a paper to sign. The lawyer who brought it, told him, "This a non-disclosure document. This means that you agree to not say anything about this place or anything that happened here to anyone. You further agree not to pursuit any charges against The Elite, especially the man driving the car."

"What happens if I don't sign?"

"If you think you have it bad now, just remember that things can always get worse. Don't be tempted. The last person who started something with The Elite disappeared. Frankly, I don't know where she is, but I'm sure it's nowhere you want to be. Do you understand?"

John gulped and nodded. He didn't love his life, but he certainly didn't want it to get worse. He signed the document.

He was given a ride home in a luxury car.

The next day, he got up and walked to work.

He felt like one of the

Sheep, sheep everywhere.

Sheep following along to pasture work.