Poverty Challenge: Fairchild 1.1

Dec 23, 2008 01:44







A few days after my arrival, I decided to work on my tan. My skin is so pale that I'm likely to turn into a human lobster if I'm not careful.



That night I went exploring to the places nearby. They were pretty shabby but they had food and shelter, and that was good enough for me.





Gone were the pearl earrings...and instead I had some food. I was so hungry, I would have eaten anything. Hot dogs never tasted so good.



When I got home I began the search for the treasure. I dug in the cold sand for what seemed like hours. Of course, all I had found was a few shells that I could sell for a few bucks. Not the treasure I had heard about, but it was a start.



The next day, I found a job as a stand up comedian. They wanted me to start immediately---which was fine with me---I needed the money! They didn't pay much but it was better than nothing.



Of course it left me exhausted at the end of the day. I never had a job before in my life so it was a different feeling. I wasn't sure I liked it.



But it got me enough for a few things. Essentials like a toilet, shower and a fridge. Sometimes I miss being poor, but then I'd look into the mirror at the constant reminder of what was.



Besides, I didn't mind too much--during the day. When it was hot and sunny---instead of the cool nights that sent shivers down my spine. It was cold and lonely. It wasn't the life I had envisioned when I ran away that fateful night.



I also went swimming in the ocean the first time during those first few days. I was surprised how smelly it truly was---and how bitter the salty water tasted on my lips.



But I had found the treasure. I actually sort of ran into it on the shore when I was dragging myself out of the water. Some big mystery. I sold it and bought myself a few things---like a couch!



But it didn't last long. I guess the buyers talked about my small fortune and thought they'd get a piece of it. The robber came while I was searching for more riches in the sand.



I saw a shadow out of the corner of my eye and ran to catch them myself but they were already gone.



Of course, the police department is underfunded on this side of the tracks so I knew I'd never get my belongings back.



Days passed, but it felt like weeks. I was getting used to my living---when I got my first infestation of sandmites. Little bugs that crawl all over the sand. They're like crabs but smaller. I itched for days!



I was still sort of itchy when I first called the matchmaker. Rumor had it that she would fix you up with your soulmate. I didn't care about any soulmate, I just wanted to have some fun! Besides, I was sure that finding my "soulmate" would come at a hefty price anyway. I didn't have much money to spare. So I called her over and gave her my $3 dollars, which she wasn't pleased about by the way, and hoped for the best.

Let's just say that rashes are a major turn off for even the most fun of folks.





I called her back when my skin cleared and a handsome man appeared before me. I certainly thought he would be fun---but unfortunately, because I spent so little, the match maker didn't give me someone that I could get along with. He was too serious for me! And he wanted a family! Ugh. I've had enough experience with family for a life time!



So I hit up a guy who happened to be walking by. Skeezy, I know, but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.



Unfortunately, he hated my glasses---which I wore now to attempt to cover my scars--and I certainly didn't want to take them off! What a buzz kill.



But who needs people when you can hallucinate strange bunnies!

"Why are you in that stupid bunny suit." I asked it, out of amusement.
"Why are you wearing that stupid human suit?" It answered.

I was beginning to wonder if I was losing my mind.



To make matters worse, a strange Llama thing came over---I wasn't sure if it was a hallucination but---it was annoying.



It loved to mock and poke fun at me. I wanted to kill it but it ran away before I got the chance. Especially my glasses.



So I ditched them for good when I met a kind fellow. He wasn't my type---he wanted a commitment but it was nice to see real people instead of imaginary creatures.



More of the poor folk of Povertyville wandered over and I couldn't help but worry that I would be recognized and sent home. That is, if my parents bothered to even report me missing.



Time passed quickly, though and nobody came pounding on my doors. Then I met him. This amazing guy named Joel. He was so pale and mysterious, he made me look tan by comparison and let me tell you, that aint easy. He was so easy to talk to.



And we ended up sharing a lovely kiss. The fun was just beginning, however, when he ran off. I was shocked. The one decent guy around here and he ran away.



I didn't let that slow me down, though. I met another potential fun encounter soon after. Turned out he too didn't want to go too far without a relationship. What was with this town? Why was everyone outside of my family so damned moral?!



I met some other guy who made fun of my scars. I kicked him in the balls and he ran off pretty fast...that's what he gets for messing with me!



Days...weeks...years...who knows---passed without much activity. Then, one night, HE returned. The pale skinned man. I was no relationship freak but I knew I wouldn't mind if he wanted one. As long as it kept being fun and didn't get too serious, of course. We talked for HOURS that night, but again, he abruptly left, quickly after the sun rose. What a weirdo.



Over the next few weeks, I made friends with this girl named Celia who I randomly met at the diner. She was generally unpleasant and grouchy, just like me. She also had a killer knack for finding excitement for free.

"Look Gwen, I don't mean to be mean,"

"Yes you do! Lay it on me, bitch!"

She smirked. "...but your look---is so passe."





So I decided to take her advise and got a makeover. I thought I looked pretty damn good! That frumpy look really didn't suit me. Thank goodness for fellow mean friends to tell you the truth.



I tried my new look on some old geezer who looked like he might be rich.



I normally don't like guys with gray hair but I made an exception in case he's rich.



He was really fun for an old dude. Of course, I didn't allow him to linger very long. We had fun and then it was over. That meant it was time for him to go.



Unfortunantly, I no longer had money to meet any new guys, so for a few months I didn't have much luck. Everyone seemed to hide in their houses or something. And I was busy with work and trying to manage. Finally, while I was putting my newly paid bills in the mailbox, I met a man named Trent. He was very handsome. He needed a new haircut, of course, but he had potential.





He had the same mindset I did and we sure did have some fun.





We had so much fun that he came over a few days later---his hair cut and looking hot as ever. Obviously we fooled around some more. I thought maybe I'd keep him around a little longer. Unfortunately, after those two nights, he never called and I couldn't get a hold of him no matter how hard I tried. He was gone, forever.



A month passed and I was late. Really late. I couldn't help but wonder if I was pregnant. I went to the store and bought a pregnant test and sure enough it was pink. I was pregnant---the father was nowhere to be found and I was completely broke. Great, now what?

Previous installments:
|Prologue|

fairchild, poverty challenge

Previous post Next post
Up