Episode 281: Bad for Business

Terrastina is stopped at a red light in the city. On the sidewalk beside her a woman holds a cardboard sign with words written in pink marker: Out of work. Need food. Anything will help. Bless you. Terrastina pulls a twenty from her wallet and holds it out the window. I hope this helps, she says. The woman takes the money. She says thank you many times. The light turns green. Cars begin honking. Terrastina wants to hold her hand, but the woman steps back. You better go now, she says. They don’t like when you make them wait.