The morning sun cast gentle rays through the windows of the Golden Hearth Inn as Elias and Selina prepared for their second day in Sun City. However, instead of immediately opening their shop, Elias had other plans in mind.
"Today, we will postpone opening the shop until later. We need to find some trustworthy people to hire."
He said to Selina as they finished their breakfast in the inn's common room.
Selina nodded, still amazed by their unexpected success on their first day. Soon, they headed out together.
With a thoughtful expression, Selina asked:
"But how do we find trustworthy workers? Most people would expect proper wages, and we're still establishing ourselves."
Elias smiled beneath his mask, which he had donned once again along with his distinctive black uniform and hooded cape.
"I have an idea. Those children from the slums need work, and we need help. It could be mutually beneficial, don't you think?"
He said as they navigated the bustling street.
Selina slowly nodded, realizing what he meant.
After making their way to the shop, Elias promptly crafted a simple wooden sign with careful lettering:
"NOW HIRING - All Backgrounds Welcome. Willingness to Work Required."
Satisfied with his craftsmanship, he hung it prominently on the shop's door, visible to any passerby.
It didn't take long for their first potential applicants to arrive. The slum children who had purchased pastries the previous day began returning, their meager coins clutched tightly in small hands. The homeless elderly man's generosity had given them enough for one more purchase before their funds ran out.
Nathan, the first boy who had entered their shop yesterday, approached cautiously. His eyes, sharp despite his malnourished frame, immediately caught sight of the hiring sign. The ten-year-old stopped in his tracks, reading the words over and over as if unable to believe what he was seeing.
A job? For someone like me?
The thought seemed impossible. In his short life, he had learned that people from the slums were barely considered human by most shopkeepers, let alone worthy of employment.
While Nathan stood frozen in disbelief, a young girl appeared beside him. Amanda, twelve years old but looking younger due to malnutrition, possessed the quick wit and determination that life in the slums demanded. Her eyes widened as she read the sign.
"They're hiring!"
She exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.
Unlike Nathan, Amanda didn't hesitate. She immediately moved toward the door, ready to seize this unexpected opportunity. Thinking about the possibility of receiving a pastry as payment, she couldn't help but skip toward the shop with glee. Her movement snapped Nathan from his reverie.
"Wait!"
He shouted, suddenly animated.
"I saw the sign first!"
He reasoned desperately.
But Amanda paid him no mind, pushing open the door and entering the shop with determined steps. Nathan hurried after her, not wanting to lose what might be his only chance at legitimate work.
Inside, Elias observed the two children with interest. Despite their ragged appearance and obvious hunger, he could see something in their eyes, a spark of determination that their poverty-stricken environment hadn't managed to extinguish.
"You wish to work here?" he asked, his voice muffled by the mask.
Both children nodded eagerly, like hungry birds pecking at feed, though Nathan shot Amanda a resentful glance for beating him inside. He didn't know how many people would be hired. For all he knew, the owner might only hire one person, meaning he would have to compete with Amanda. He regretted how his indecisiveness might cost him this opportunity.
"Yes, sir! I'm a hard worker. I won't disappoint you!"
Amanda said boldly.
Nathan, not to be outdone, quickly added:
"I'm strong for my age. I can carry heavy things, and I learn fast!"
Damn this girl!
Nathan cursed silently at Amanda as she had overtaken him again.
Elias studied them for a moment, then gestured to Selina.
"What do you think? Should we give them a chance?"
Selina, remembering her own desperate circumstances not long ago, smiled warmly at the children.
"Everyone deserves an opportunity."
"Very well."
Elias decided, addressing Nathan and Amanda.
"But first, you'll need to prove yourselves. Follow me."
He led them to the storage area at the back of the shop, where boxes of pastries were neatly stacked, the inventory he had prepared the night before, and only exchanged for when they arrived in the shop. The sweet aroma that filled the space made both children's stomachs growl audibly.
"Your first task is to help fill the display cases with these pastries. Handle them carefully; they're delicate. Show me you can follow instructions and work diligently."
Elias explained.
Nathan and Amanda exchanged glances, then set to work with enthusiasm, but not before Elias made them wash their hands with the disinfectant soap he provided. Earlier, Elias had asked Selina to sample the snacks from his inventory to ensure consistent quality, which had left some crumbs scattered on the storage room floor, an area they hadn't yet cleaned while focusing on other parts of the shop.
Nathan and Amanda noticed the crumbs on the floor, their survival instincts nearly taking over. In the slums, whenever food was spotted, it didn't matter if it was on the ground, they would still grab it to satiate their hunger. Despite their gnawing hunger and the tantalizing smell of the pastries, neither child attempted to sneak even a crumb. They worked methodically, following Selina's guidance on how to arrange the items for maximum appeal.
Elias watched approvingly. Their self-control in the face of such temptation spoke volumes about their character. Although he hadn't intended to test them in such a manner, he was pleased that they performed so well. If he had discovered they were greedy, impatient children, he would have retracted his offer and sent them away.
—He didn't need thieves in his establishment.
After they had successfully completed the task, Elias made his decision.
"You've done well. However, there's one more requirement before you can officially start working here."
The children's faces fell slightly, worried about what impossible demand might be coming.
"You need to be clean and presentable."
Elias continued, gesturing at their ragged clothes.
"Customers expect a certain standard of hygiene in a food establishment. We'll need to get you proper clothes and a chance to wash up."
Amanda and Nathan looked down at their dirty, tattered clothing with embarrassment. They had grown so accustomed to their appearance that they had almost forgotten how they must look to others.
"But sir, we don't have money for new clothes or a place to bathe..."
Nathan said hesitantly.
"That won't be a problem. I'll help you with that. Consider it an investment in our shop's future."
Elias assured them and said:
"Selina, we're going shopping."