As Silk As a Day's Work

[Seize The Day]

C l e m e n t i n e
T h e o d o r a

Bio

Narration

Dialogue

Thoughts

Hearing

It was bitter cold. Everything that I had worked for in the past seemed like a small deal now. What I needed to work for now is the present. I know that if I do not do that, then my child or myself will not make it through the winter. I will not, and cannot, let that happen. It seemed as if everything was on the weight of my shoulders now, and whether I worked to the point of death or worked to the point of reward would be up to the weather and the business.

I stood against the machinery, zoning out as I looked at the long, pink silk that was laid out in front of me. I snapped out of it as I shivered from the cold. The factories were rarely heated this time of day, as they usually saved it for the night shift when it got horribly cold. I kept sewing the cloth, sitting in a cold metal chair that was given to all the workers who sewed. I was on the front lines, and I looked back at everyone else. A mixture of men and women, old and young, were spread out among the room. They seemed to be focused on their work, as I seemed to be focused on mine until I zoned out. I gave a small smile and kept sewing. Putting a smile on my face was always a need, because if I didn't, I would be fired. And if I was fired, my child would be thrown out onto the streets. The thought of that gave me another shiver, or maybe it was just the cold. I couldn't tell anymore.

"Ten minute break!" The foreman, Mr. Haisty, said. He was the one I paid to take care of my child, and he kept his mouth shut just as I did. I nodded towards him and got up, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. I walked passed the foreman, and he eyed my face, studied it. He then grabbed my arm and I smiled, as we were instructed to do no matter what. "Eighteen years old and a lazy worker. Better get faster, or that child of yours will be thrown out," he whispered as he threatened me. He gave me these threats daily, and now, I was done believing what he had to say. Unfortunately, I didn't have a choice in whether I believed him or not, because I knew he would throw her out. "Yes sir, of course," I gave a small nod and a smile. He let go of my arm and sent me into the cafeteria. It was dinner time, and my shift ended in an hour because of my other job, so I just had to bare another hour with the foreman and the people I worked with. I grabbed some broth and a piece of stale bread and sat down at the table by myself, as I usually did. I ate slowly, not knowing that somewhere, you were here. Maybe you were a worker, who hated the job as much as I did. Or a simple wonderer, hanging around your mother or father as they worked as well. But maybe you were the boss of this dreadful place, who looked over everyone closely and watched our every move and sound. Whoever you were, I didn't acknowledge you, nor did I ever acknowledge anyone. I couldn't, because connections were something I didn't do. I was learned not to make a connection with anyone, and that was that.

I ate the food slowly. I thought about tonight, thinking if there was going to be any customers in the cold or it would be empty. The winters were the most harsh on us, because men's wages were cut lower because of the cold, and therefore,didn't come as often in the summer. But I hoped there would be at least one tonight, because if there wasn't, this would be the third day in a row that someone hasn't come.

Hurry up time, I thought as I stared at the clock. It was ticking slowly, and I felt as if I looked at it closer that it would change. I sighed and drank the rest of my soup. I tied my faded pink dress a bit tighter in the back, hoping that the more I sit up still, the less tired I would be.[/color