1st Stanza Audio UN:Marsh

[gristle]

[The voice you hear is a teenage girl, and she sounds a little disgusted. Whether or not this post was an accident is up for debate. But she'll respond either way.]

What the fuck kind of place is this? I thought the adults were supposed to care. Sure doesn't look like it.

I need a cigarette.

Comments

[gristle]

[For a minute, Bev doesn't know what to say, and she just frowns.]

Are you like another caseworker then? Cause I met mine and she gave me my money.

[Which Bev promptly blew on cigarettes and candy.]

[enveloped]

I'm not a caseworker. I'm a public representative. That means I talk to people, and listen to their questions and concerns so I can direct the government to provide resources and support to where the community needs it most.

Your caseworker should do more than provide you with money, they should assist you in school placement, ensure you're safe, never go hungry, and always have a roof over your head.

Can you tell me what your current living situation is like?

[gristle]

I live in a room in the public housing thing. It's private. I don't want anywhere else.

[No strange houses with strange people, thanks. Stan could do it, but Bev wasn't Stan. So, she was going to focus on something more important.]

Can you get me a bike?

[enveloped]

Are you healthy? Happy? Going to school?

[A pause.]

I could, but I'm a public representative. Not Santa Claus.

I'll get you a bike if you answer my questions.

[gristle]

Are you sure you're not a social worker? Because that's what she asks.

[A beat.]

I'm fine. And I'm going to school.

[No she's not. She's been staying home.]

[enveloped]

I am very sure I am not a social worker.

You don't sound fine. You sound upset, and stressed out. I don't blame you.

[gristle]

I just got here.

[And now this. Because honestly what the fuck. She may have been spending too much time with Richie lately. Well, before she got here.]

[enveloped]

I cried when I first got here.

[gristle]

I didn't cry. I got angry.

[Much easier to deal with.]

[enveloped]

I threw things later.

What kind of bike do you want?

[gristle]

What did you throw?

And just a normal bike, I guess. What other kinds are there?