Tantrum-A Twenty-Point Rampage

Tantrum ⑤: A Twenty-Point Rampage

[Part 1: Follow Me]

"Ben Rickert?"

You were doing community service in the neighborhood, wearing a little vest, when you heard a voice.

It was one of your coworkers—or rather, your fellow inmate—

—you were serving the same community, repairing houses, plastering walls, and cleaning up.

You were completely numb. You seemed to think you could accept this kind of life. Today was your last day of community service, and soon you'd be free again. With help from your probation officer, you'd find a job.

"Hey! Old man! Hey!"

The voice grew louder. You were resting by a bench. The fallen leaves littering the ground seemed impossible to sweep away completely. It was a meaningless ritual—as if your labor were worthless.

"Hey! Ben Rickert! That's your name, right? Interested in working for me?"

At last, you noticed the spirited young man beside you.

He had smooth black hair and looked Caucasian. His name was written on his badge.

"Fogus Doug?"

"That's right! Sharp eyes!" Fogus beamed as he crushed a can of Coca-Cola and tossed it onto the path.

You slowly walked over to pick up the conspicuous piece of litter and throw it in the trash.

Fogus kept chattering away behind you—

"—I've got a company! A company that makes big money!"

"How about working for me?"

"It's mostly telemarketing and retail. Are you religious? Christian?"

"If you can read a little scripture, like the Gospel of John or the Gospel of Matthew? Hey! Just recite a few verses! That'll definitely earn you points!"

"How'd you end up in here? Who helped you get off?"

You ignored Fogus's ingratiating chatter and sat back down on the bench.

You asked the kid about his past, trying to find some common ground, some empathy. After all,