Mr. Wayne Goes to the Welfare Office
He stood in line shuffling in his pennyloafers. Wearing his cheapest business casual attire and keeping his face low, inconspicuous, averting any attention that might come his way. Loosened collar and untucked shirttails. He looked tired.
Next!, she shouted.
He took a step forward. Hello, he said quietly.
What's the name?
Uh, Bruce. Wayne.
Her head turned upward, glasses on her nose. Bruce Wayne? The Bruce Wayne?
He sighed. I'm afraid so.
A skeptical eye narrowed. ...Nah, can't be. You just look like him.
I wish that were true. His smile betrayed his embarrassment, his attrition.
What is this some kinda joke?
He was almost hurt. Crestfallen like a little boy. No. It isn't.
Is this the kind of stuff you rich pricks do for fun?
No ma'am.
Coming down here to make fun of people in need. That's right, isn't it?
His face hardened towards her and his voice took on a deep baritone. Absolutely not.
She paused, swallowed in her mouth. What are you here for.
...Unemployment.
Why?
Because I'm unemployed.
And how did that come about?
Do you really have to know?
I'm the one who gives you permission to fill out these papers, so yes.
My company made some bad investments, the market crashed, and I was let go.
But you own the company.
No, the board owns the company. And they voted me out.
But you said it was your company.
He sighed, softening again. Well... it does have my name on it.
She checked something behind her desk and answered a phone call. Just a moment.
He stood with his hands in his pockets, guarded against any that might notice him.
She returned, adjusting the glasses on her nose. So, Mister... Wayne. In what manner do you plan on using unemployment benefits?
He looked around, behind him. Ma'am, there are a lot of people in line behind me.
I see that.
For their sake can we speed this up?
No.
Ma'am...
Listen here, Mister Chairman of the Board. Even if you are broke you still have more money than anyone here will ever see in their lifetime. Do you understand that?
Yes.
And given what I know about you I'm not inclined to think you'll be very responsible with these benefits. You have a history of extravagant spending, do you not?
I do. When I was a younger man I wasn't as... sensible with what I had, suppose you could say. But I've used much of it since for charity and the welfare of this city. Too much of it, as it's turned out.
So I take it you'll be doing the same with this.
It will be for a good cause, I can promise you.
Then tell me what it is. Be specific, now.
He breathed in deeply. I can't do that.
She leaned back in her chair. I'll give it to you straight, Wayne. Give me the details or you don't get it.
He ran a series of emotions through subtle inflection across his weathered, furrowed, and still handsome face. Resentment, regret, settling finally on some kind of acceptance. He nodded his head and turned to leave. I'm sorry to have wasted your time.
Wait!, she shouted.
He looked back. Ma'am?
She handed him the form. Here.
He took it, bewildered.
I'm taking a chance here, Wayne. Against my better judgment I'm trusting you.
I... thank you.
Do us all a favor and don't let me down. Okay?
I won't, he said. It was sincere, resolute.
She attended to the next person in line as he walked to a vacant seat and filled out his information. They did not speak again, but her eye was never far from him, nor was his from her. Somehow equals, despite the chasms that were between them. An opponent who almost had him beaten. But there was no animosity, only respect. Mutual respect. He relaxed and straightened his posture and did not turn away any sycophantic face, not their autographs or their selfies. She saw him. There at the meeting ground for the downtrodden of the city they both loved and the people they both served.
Next!, she shouted.
He took a step forward. Hello, he said quietly.
What's the name?
Uh, Bruce. Wayne.
Her head turned upward, glasses on her nose. Bruce Wayne? The Bruce Wayne?
He sighed. I'm afraid so.
A skeptical eye narrowed. ...Nah, can't be. You just look like him.
I wish that were true. His smile betrayed his embarrassment, his attrition.
What is this some kinda joke?
He was almost hurt. Crestfallen like a little boy. No. It isn't.
Is this the kind of stuff you rich pricks do for fun?
No ma'am.
Coming down here to make fun of people in need. That's right, isn't it?
His face hardened towards her and his voice took on a deep baritone. Absolutely not.
She paused, swallowed in her mouth. What are you here for.
...Unemployment.
Why?
Because I'm unemployed.
And how did that come about?
Do you really have to know?
I'm the one who gives you permission to fill out these papers, so yes.
My company made some bad investments, the market crashed, and I was let go.
But you own the company.
No, the board owns the company. And they voted me out.
But you said it was your company.
He sighed, softening again. Well... it does have my name on it.
She checked something behind her desk and answered a phone call. Just a moment.
He stood with his hands in his pockets, guarded against any that might notice him.
She returned, adjusting the glasses on her nose. So, Mister... Wayne. In what manner do you plan on using unemployment benefits?
He looked around, behind him. Ma'am, there are a lot of people in line behind me.
I see that.
For their sake can we speed this up?
No.
Ma'am...
Listen here, Mister Chairman of the Board. Even if you are broke you still have more money than anyone here will ever see in their lifetime. Do you understand that?
Yes.
And given what I know about you I'm not inclined to think you'll be very responsible with these benefits. You have a history of extravagant spending, do you not?
I do. When I was a younger man I wasn't as... sensible with what I had, suppose you could say. But I've used much of it since for charity and the welfare of this city. Too much of it, as it's turned out.
So I take it you'll be doing the same with this.
It will be for a good cause, I can promise you.
Then tell me what it is. Be specific, now.
He breathed in deeply. I can't do that.
She leaned back in her chair. I'll give it to you straight, Wayne. Give me the details or you don't get it.
He ran a series of emotions through subtle inflection across his weathered, furrowed, and still handsome face. Resentment, regret, settling finally on some kind of acceptance. He nodded his head and turned to leave. I'm sorry to have wasted your time.
Wait!, she shouted.
He looked back. Ma'am?
She handed him the form. Here.
He took it, bewildered.
I'm taking a chance here, Wayne. Against my better judgment I'm trusting you.
I... thank you.
Do us all a favor and don't let me down. Okay?
I won't, he said. It was sincere, resolute.
She attended to the next person in line as he walked to a vacant seat and filled out his information. They did not speak again, but her eye was never far from him, nor was his from her. Somehow equals, despite the chasms that were between them. An opponent who almost had him beaten. But there was no animosity, only respect. Mutual respect. He relaxed and straightened his posture and did not turn away any sycophantic face, not their autographs or their selfies. She saw him. There at the meeting ground for the downtrodden of the city they both loved and the people they both served.
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