A new day began with employees rubbing their eyes as they clocked out after working all night.
They walked through the city's morning streets, which were gradually waking in the hazy dawn light. The coffee shop on the corner was already open, giving off an enticing aroma, and a few early risers were enjoying their first cup inside as they began a new day.
Of course, those who could leisurely sip coffee were ultimately a minority. Most were corporate dogs among corporate dogs, a rung above the ordinary ones, with plenty of time to rest. Unless something major affected their careers, they could leave it to the corporate dogs under them. All they had to do was savor their coffee and enjoy their bacon and fried eggs.
The employees who had worked all night trudged along, gazing enviously through the breakfast shop's windows as they passed. They had no outlet for their resentment, but the cool morning breeze brought a little relief. After some thought, they abandoned their fantasies of going in and taking several people down with them, choosing instead to return to their tiny nests, not even eight square meters in size.
Lowly employees like them did not even qualify as corporate dogs.
"Good morning, District 25! Last night was another quiet, peaceful night in District 25. There was only one armed gang clash. Looks like anyone who bet on nothing happening in District 25 last night in the Peace Lottery will be losing a hefty pile of credit points. But don't worry, buddy. Not having enough credit points is perfectly normal. Here in District 25, you aren't a real local unless you're in debt!"
Humor and reality intertwined in the morning broadcast. The announcer's voice came through the battered loudspeakers on street corners, lending a little life