The rub

Location: The hole

Wim moved closer to the man who was singing his sad song. Wim lifted a finger and pointed at his glass telling the barkeep to bring him another drink. He moved beside they dust bloke not invading his space or being pushy. He was intentionally coming along side him allowing the man to feel safe and not trapped.

“Hard day in the mine?” Wim asked in a pleasant tone that conveyed wanting to know and concern.
Wim knew the answer already as everyday in a manual labor job was a hard day. But it was a way to get a conversation started.
Mining back home was a dead end job. Prisoners, ruffians, thieves, and those unfortunate to be born to it spent their days underground digging. It was a life of constant sorrow and loss.

He listened and tried to get information about who was in charge, how things were going, and what life was like for the miners.

People with no money do not buy things, they die trying to make enough money to escape. People on top try to keep them trapped. It was the feudal system’s approach to life. It rubbed Wim the wrong way, well mainly because he wasn’t the guy on top of the scheme. But Wim also had an idea that if the workers had more money then they would buy stuff and well, play card for him to steal their money.