to Graciela.”
Julio sat down and the computer screen came to life. Bienvenido, Julio Camino —scrolled across the screen. “The chip in your hand sends a signal to the computer and it knows who you are as soon as you sit down,” explained Isak. He held up a pair of small black headphones. “All you have to do now is put these on and follow the instructions.”
Isak tapped Graciela on the shoulder again. When she pulled off her headphones, he asked, “Graciela, have you completed your assignments for today?”
“Yes, sir. I’m just exploring free play.”
“Would you mind helping Julio get started? He’s new to Caritas.”
Graciela looked at Julio and forced a smile. “Of course.”
Isak turned back to Julio. “Well, Julio, feel free to stop by my office before you leave today if you have any questions. I think you will find the computer indoctrination very thorough.” He extended his hand. “Once again, welcome to Caritas.”
Julio stood and shook Isak’s hand. “Thank you for the opportunity.” Isak gave a gracious nod and slipped through the back door.
Julio could feel his left hand already beginning to throb when he sat down at the computer and put on the headphones, but it was minor and he ignored the discomfort. He didn’t have a lot of experience with computers, but the indoctrination began automatically and was intuitive enough that he followed along easily. The presentation began with an overview of the program and its purpose. Next, Julio endured a lecture on the importance of good hygiene and proper diet. He only halfway listened. All he wanted to know about was how to access the money.
Finally, a smooth feminine voice began to explain, “The money on your chip will be available as follows. As a new member, you immediately have two hundred euros to spend on clothing and other personal items. That money will be available for the first two weeks. After that you will have ten euros a day for food, clothing, and transportation. You may choose to bank up to fifty euros of unused money, but the balance will top out at fifty euros. You are never allowed to withdraw cash. Additionally, if you fail to report to the Caritas facility, or don’t complete your homework assignments for more than five days, the chip will be rendered inactive until you report to our facility and catch up on your assignments.”
The presentation continued, explaining how to use the chip and which stores would accept chip payments, but Julio was lost in thoughts of spending the money. He stopped the presentation and tapped Graciela in the shoulder.
She pulled one of the oversized earpieces away from her ear but kept her eyes on the screen. “Yes?”
“Excuse me . . . Graciela?”
“That’s me. What do you need?”
“Um, I hate to bother you, but how many soles in a euro?”
“One euro is about five soles.” She slipped the earpiece back over her ear.
Julio did the math in his head. Fifty soles a day would be enough to feed both him and Raúl, if he ate lunch at Caritas every day. They wouldn’t be rich, but it would be more than enough to survive. Then he remembered the initial amount of two hundred euros, and began to think about all the things he wanted to buy. He was so excited with his newfound wealth that he barely paid any attention to the presentation on the computer. When it ended, he pulled off the headphones, grabbed his backpack, and started for the door.
“Your chip won’t work yet,” said Graciela before he could get out of his chair.
“No? Why not?”
“Because you didn’t follow instructions. If you want to spend the money without problems, you have to pay attention.” She slid her headphones down around her neck and pointed at his screen. “You have to complete the segment on budgeting before the money is available. It can be very embarrassing when you go to checkout and the chip doesn’t work.” She looked at him and smiled. “Trust me. I know.” She slipped her
Julio sat down and the computer screen came to life. Bienvenido, Julio Camino —scrolled across the screen. “The chip in your hand sends a signal to the computer and it knows who you are as soon as you sit down,” explained Isak. He held up a pair of small black headphones. “All you have to do now is put these on and follow the instructions.”
Isak tapped Graciela on the shoulder again. When she pulled off her headphones, he asked, “Graciela, have you completed your assignments for today?”
“Yes, sir. I’m just exploring free play.”
“Would you mind helping Julio get started? He’s new to Caritas.”
Graciela looked at Julio and forced a smile. “Of course.”
Isak turned back to Julio. “Well, Julio, feel free to stop by my office before you leave today if you have any questions. I think you will find the computer indoctrination very thorough.” He extended his hand. “Once again, welcome to Caritas.”
Julio stood and shook Isak’s hand. “Thank you for the opportunity.” Isak gave a gracious nod and slipped through the back door.
Julio could feel his left hand already beginning to throb when he sat down at the computer and put on the headphones, but it was minor and he ignored the discomfort. He didn’t have a lot of experience with computers, but the indoctrination began automatically and was intuitive enough that he followed along easily. The presentation began with an overview of the program and its purpose. Next, Julio endured a lecture on the importance of good hygiene and proper diet. He only halfway listened. All he wanted to know about was how to access the money.
Finally, a smooth feminine voice began to explain, “The money on your chip will be available as follows. As a new member, you immediately have two hundred euros to spend on clothing and other personal items. That money will be available for the first two weeks. After that you will have ten euros a day for food, clothing, and transportation. You may choose to bank up to fifty euros of unused money, but the balance will top out at fifty euros. You are never allowed to withdraw cash. Additionally, if you fail to report to the Caritas facility, or don’t complete your homework assignments for more than five days, the chip will be rendered inactive until you report to our facility and catch up on your assignments.”
The presentation continued, explaining how to use the chip and which stores would accept chip payments, but Julio was lost in thoughts of spending the money. He stopped the presentation and tapped Graciela in the shoulder.
She pulled one of the oversized earpieces away from her ear but kept her eyes on the screen. “Yes?”
“Excuse me . . . Graciela?”
“That’s me. What do you need?”
“Um, I hate to bother you, but how many soles in a euro?”
“One euro is about five soles.” She slipped the earpiece back over her ear.
Julio did the math in his head. Fifty soles a day would be enough to feed both him and Raúl, if he ate lunch at Caritas every day. They wouldn’t be rich, but it would be more than enough to survive. Then he remembered the initial amount of two hundred euros, and began to think about all the things he wanted to buy. He was so excited with his newfound wealth that he barely paid any attention to the presentation on the computer. When it ended, he pulled off the headphones, grabbed his backpack, and started for the door.
“Your chip won’t work yet,” said Graciela before he could get out of his chair.
“No? Why not?”
“Because you didn’t follow instructions. If you want to spend the money without problems, you have to pay attention.” She slid her headphones down around her neck and pointed at his screen. “You have to complete the segment on budgeting before the money is available. It can be very embarrassing when you go to checkout and the chip doesn’t work.” She looked at him and smiled. “Trust me. I know.” She slipped her
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