Every day at six am Brodie Johnston passed the same spot on his way to work. He was a creature of habit, and routine gave him a sense of security, so he liked that between 6.24 and 6.30 he'd be passing that guy and his sign. A great big cardboard notice made out of cut down boxes badly pasted together and painted.

'Move on, You Won't Like This Anyway.'

It had a big arrow pointing towards the small shanty town that was steadily growing bigger underneath the state bridge that leads into the city. He was pretty sure the sign was right, it looked pretty dismal, but the guy was always there smiling.



Brodie wasn't in a particularly good mood today. It was hot and his car ventilation was broken so he had the windows down but the doors centrally locked. It didn't really help much, just circulated hot air even this time of the morning, but the draft was nice. The radio was a bore, and he usually just listened to the local traffic news to give him a heads up on congestion. Today was supposed to be a scorcher and he had a meeting with important clients he couldn't be late for. He didn't feel well prepared for it and that was upsetting to him. He liked to be in control.



Brodie was in his early thirties and successful he supposed, but you could always do better. He wanted to be recognised, to move up the corporate ladder, to achieve something in life before he settled down and started a family. He wasn't ready for that yet, he was focussing all his energy and time in getting the basics built for a comfortable future. But as he approached where that guy was the traffic started backing up and slowing to a crawl. 'Shit,' the thought, 'I'm gonna be late,' and he switched the traffic news back on despite his stress headache.



Dheeshan wasn't feeling his best but he loved watching the early commute. These guys were all about the speed and places to be, the people they gotta see, things they gotta do. He didn't have any place to be, and if he did it certainly wouldn't be living here by choice. None of them really chose to live in the shanty town, but it was sheltered and away from the crime of the city. Well, mostly. Recently certain gangs were making it their business to hassle even these poor wretches for money, goods or sex. It seems extortion and vice has no real clientele other than the weak or needy. Rich or poor everyone wants something for a bargain, and the exchange rate is just what you feel it's worth. Ask around, and someone's always desperate enough to make the trade, and if not some now threaten with violence and take it anyway. The police don't come this far out of town, so you had to defend you and yours best you could.



Dheeshan was smiling as he knew the power of a good smile. People melt, feel at ease and more at liberty to smile back. He also knew appearance was important. He only had two changes of clothes, but he kept them clean as he could. It was hard with no services out here, but he found a way. Generally he walked five miles to the toilets of a popular gas station and washed up in there. Never taking too long lest they get annoyed with him abusing their facilities. Today he'd had a bad night being roughed up by thugs who wanted his mobile. He wasn't giving that up no way. He'd kept the mobile but received a black eye in the process. It was a hard night, but luckily he donned a pair of shades and hid his injuries behind them.



Traffic was creeping along and that guy would be in view any minute. Just lately the guy waved a greeting and Brodie liked that he was there like clockwork. He appreciated the distraction usually and what could it hurt? But now the guy was coming into view and he wasn't riding past at like 60mph. He started to feel nervous and a bit awkward. 'Oh please God let him not be there.' The traffic stopped and Brodie pulled up slamming the breaks on and just short of the bumper in front. Damn! His temper was rising, he couldn't be late, this might mean promotion for him.



Though Dheeshan had very little, he kept the old phone purely for calls from his family. He charged it from the shaver point in the local cafe in the city he went to that allowed refills and didn't move you on so long as you stay outside in case you smelled. He didn't think he had too bad an aroma, and usually he'd have a spritz from the local stores of various...