The Chrysalis Project - Chapter 20

“Here is fine, Tony,” I instructed as he pulled the car to the side of the busy street filled with both cars and pedestrians and parallel parked at the next available spot.

“How much time will you be, miss?”

“A couple of hours tops, we can have Hayden call you when we are done if you like,”

“That would be perfect, thank you,” Tony politely said, “have a grand time.”

“Thank you,” Hayden and I both said as we got out of the car.

Luckily, we came prepared for the chilly night, Hayden had called Tony prior to leaving Marin’s building with jackets for the both of us. The coats both looked relatively cozy and fitting for the weather; I can only imagine they were made of extremely pricey wool of some kind. I was given a long tan duffle coat and Hayden a grey peacoat. Immediately after I had buttoned up my jacket, I had been nicely insulated by the stylish yet functional apparel that was handed to me.

“Wow, this is really warm,” I announced.

“Both are made of alpaca wool I think,” Hayden responded.

“Well, thank you for providing such nice jackets.”

“You’re welcome, you can keep everything that is given to you unless I tell you to return it by the way,” he explained.

“A perk for working for the Whitehalls, I assume,” I said impressed.

“Not everyone working for my family gets perks like this, it’s just me you know,” he laughed slightly.

“Right, but enough talking about our comfy jackets and let me show you the city around, peasant style,” I smiled back as I proceeded to walk down the busy street.

Despite tomorrow being a workday, people still continue to bustle around the city. It’s to be expected from such a big metropolitan city such as Orion after all, it was the biggest city in the country and one of the largest economic hubs internationally. People of all backgrounds and statuses live and thrive in Orion to achieve their dreams and goals.

In Orion, nothing is really impossible, at least for those who are well off. Those that are less fortunate have to work ten times, maybe even hundreds of times harder to make ends meet. The reality in Orion can appear grim to some, but it is still a city filled with hope, love, and compassion.

Hayden and I walked by a couple of homeless people who appeared to be either sleeping or sitting around a busy intersection asking for change for passersby. I had noticed that he was observing them closely as he walked by with caution, after walking one whole block and arriving in front of a large park next to giant digital billboards, he couldn’t help but stop in his tracks and open his mouth.

“There’s more than five of them in one street,” he sighed, “I don’t really notice when I’m in the car, but walking on a busy street with homeless people everywhere is really uncomfortable.”

“How so?” I asked as I found an empty bench and sat, Hayden, followed suit.

“Not uncomfortable as in I am scared or I detest them, I just find it slightly unsettling that there are so many of them.”

“Well, we are in the downtown core of Orion, a lot of tourists and residents come here so it’s a good place to get spare change, I’m sure they are fine.”

“I guess,” he sighed again, “I feel bad but I know I shouldn’t because it’s kind of hypocritical of me to say that having most things handed to me since I was born.”

“I don’t really think it’s that hypocritical,” I admitted, “I don’t really give change out to them either, so I’m no saint. I notice they exist and are there, but I don’t feel much for them.”

“Don’t feel much for them? That’s kind of heartless don’t you think?” Hayden said slightly in disbelief.

“Think about it this way,” I said as I stared directly at him, “even someone as rich as you, even with all the pocket change you have, can you honestly say you will go up to every homeless person and give them your change?”

“No,” he admitted.

“And even say if you did, how much do you give them? How much is enough to keep them fed and warm for the night? How much will it take you so they are happy?”

“I don’t know,” Hayden said again as he stared back at me.

“Right, so when I say I don’t feel much, I’m saying that no individual is going to solve homelessness,” I announced.

“Yeah, the system has to change to make the situation better I guess,” Hayden said as he looked down, finally understanding my point.

“I’m glad I’m able to talk some sense into you, Hayden Whitehall,” I gently smiled and tapped his shoulder, “just look around you, look at the people of all races, classes, religion, and culture around you and embrace it.”

“Like that gold painted robot performer over there?” Hayden asked as he pointed at the man who has been performing his robot dance on the sidewalk, he had a small crowd gathered and cheering for him as he did his dance break.

“Yeah, look how little he is wearing and how many dance moves he’s busting to make chump change,” I said as I cheered from afar.

“That’s his entire livelihood,” Hayden said, slightly gasping at the robot performer’s fantastic dance moves.

“But despite how small his livelihood can seem, he’s still smiling because he loves it, and I think that’s beautiful. It’s people like this that make this city beautiful.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Hayden grinned.

“You know, we all might be sheep if you will, and your family or other elite families may be the shepherds that control and rule the city,” I casually described, “but no shepherd is truly a shepherd without his sheep, and it’s the sheep that run the city.”

Hayden gently scoffed, “nice simile.”

“I’m glad you can tell the difference, I was totally laying a trap for you to call it a metaphor so I can roast you,” I laughed.

“Wow,” Hayden laughed, “sorry to disappoint.”

“Anyway, are you having fun so far?” I asked, “I kind of just brought you to a touristy place with a lot of people.”

“Yeah, it’s been fun so far,” he smiled casually, “even though we were just talking about some serious topic and you kind of opened my eyes a bit.”

“Good, because to be honest, I’m still kind of hungry,” I admitted as I touched my stomach.

“I forgot to bring the desserts so they’re still in our car,” Hayden said, slightly panicking.

“Ah, it’s not a problem, I brought my wallet,” I said as I stood up, looking around for a nearby food stand, “I’m gonna go and get something really quick so just wait here.”

There must be some kind of food truck or food stall stand around here, I thought to myself. And not to my surprise, there was indeed a hot dog stand to the right side of the park. I smiled and marched quickly to the stand, an older man smiled as I approached.

“What can I get for you miss?”

“One hot dog please,” I politely said, my face turned to Hayden, who had been looking around and patiently waiting.

“One? Coming right up,” the man responded.

“Actually, I changed my mind, let’s make that two hot dogs please,” I looked at Hayden’s way, smiled, and turned to the hot dog vendor to give him the money.

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