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The factories producing the Stew-goo and Crunch had already been on the decline when the flu of Year Ten hit. They had been replacing lost workers with whoever the press gangs could deliver. Many worked against their will under the watchful eyes of armed guards. As soon as the number of men with guns dwindled to a certain point, mutinies could be expected.
History of a Changed World, Angus T. Moss
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TILLY SETTLED INTO the comfortable armchair in Angus’s office. “Why do you get to sit in here all day while I’m running around all over the place?” She added a smile to soften the words.
“Actually my dear most of my work happens here,” he said, tapping his forehead.
She snorted. “What are we discussing?” She glanced around at the empty chairs wondering who else was expected.
“Expansion.” Angus sat next to her, settling a stack of papers in his lap. He took her hand just as she was about to protest. “I know this is difficult for you, but we’re bursting at the seams.”
“I know. I just don’t like everyone being all over the place.” His presence was calming despite the topic. They never seemed to have time for just being together. She squeezed his hand and got a warm smile in return.
“It’s a good sign that we have reached capacity. I didn’t expect it to happen this soon. But we have some very capable people with us now. Capable and eager to help.”
“Logistics,” she grumbled. He kissed her fingers, and she knew he was trying to soften her up.
“I know. That’s why I want to do a dry run with the new currency.”
“It’s going to slow down the food lines.”
Angus chuckled softly. “Do you remember paying for food? We’ll get back in the habit quickly.”
“I’ll need a supply of coins for my newcomers. We can’t start asking for payment from people who haven’t had a chance to pitch in. I’ll need at least a couple days worth of meals depending on how healthy they are.”
“Excellent.” Angus scribbled some notes on the papers in his lap “I knew you’d have concerns I hadn’t thought about.”
“We’re going to need signage for the cafeteria. Who’s going to do that?”
“Already taken care of.”
“And cash boxes. And what about change?”
“It’s all in the signage. I spoke with Eunice and Mary about having someone collect the money before people get in line. We might just run it for a few days with a select number of people—you, me, Nick, Wisp. See how that goes before we start instituting a full change over.”
Tilly pulled out her own notebook to start making lists. “People are going to panic. What if parents don’t have enough to feed their kids?”
Angus nodded thoughtfully. “All right let’s make a rule right now. Children under ten years of age eat free.”
“Fourteen.”
“Twelve.”
“I hate it that you think making children work is okay.” Tilly couldn’t keep the scowl off her face. There were things that she wanted to control in this new world, and every time she turned around, Angus was taking one more thing away from her.
“Ted’s kids have already earned enough to start a savings account. I think we may need a banker soon,” he said with a teasing smile.
Tilly wasn’t going to give in to his charms that easily. “When did you start paying them?”
“As soon as the coins were made. I thought they would be a good group to start with. They are more savvy about things than some of the others.”
“And some of them are younger than twelve. If they can eat for free, what are they going to do with their money?” Lately, she’d found herself playing devil’s advocate more often than she liked.
Angus’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “They have already started hiring each other for chores.”
Tilly groaned out a sigh. “I don’t think I like where this is going.”
Angus waved away her complaint. “I imagine we will have more difficulty with people who have been with us longer. Someone like Lottie might feel slighted that she gets the same amount to start with as everyone else when she’s been working so hard for the settlement.”
“And me,” Tilly said flatly. “What’s my wage?”
“Your...” Angus frowned at her.
“What are you going to pay yourself?” She was quite pleased to see a look of befuddlement on his face.
“Perhaps we should ask the governing committee to set a wage for us.”
She was just about to start in on an argument she knew she couldn’t win when an alarm started howling.