Strikes

Strikes

In-universe date	Era Nova, October–November, Year 4
Real-world date	2026-09-19
Author	Alexandra Kovalska
Category Type	Character News

I go to the Clinic looking for Józef Kataczyk because of an urgent matter. The workers are on strike.

I have not been paying them recently, and they are fed up.

I go into the main office and ask him for advice. He sits there twisting a cigar in his mouth, puffing small clouds of smoke as he lies in his chair.

"I desperately need your help!", I said while slamming the desk and holding my nose so as not to inhale the smoke.

"First of all, could you not slam my desk, please, Miss? Second of all, what's the hurry? Is the matter of such importance?" he responds calmly.

I sigh and sit down

"The workers have stopped working on the new project. Just because I have not paid them yet! Can you believe that?", I say with an annoyed look.

"I see. Miss Alexandra, there are two true things about this world. First of all, people do not enjoy work, second of all, they enjoy being paid. Unless you want slaves, the only real way to get them going is to appropriately fund them. A hungry man doesn't think to finish work but to enjoy a fresh loaf of bread." Józef says as he snubs out the cigar on an ashtray, keeping a calm demeanor. He slowly reaches under the desk and hands Alexandra a singular bun.

"Care for some fresh bread?"

Alexandra's eyes flinch seeing the bread.

"Who cares if they have fun at work, they are already as slow as it gets! They should be happy I funded their homes here.

And put that bread away. That is poor people food, you have no need for it, and neither do I!"

For what i am getting i should just give them bread.

"So i should just give them bread? Are you telling me I should own the fields so it becomes more efficient ?

"Whatever gets the people fed, excited and housed will make them work, miss. As long as they have everything they need, You can do whatever you want with the fields."

He slowly takes a bite out of the bun

"We could make a pub. That'd get me more clients"

He scoffs

"That's a good idea. Let's go for a drink once it's done with construction."

Her annoyance becomes visible seeing the bread.

"And put down that dry peace of bread", she says while galring at him.

"You are better than that. You are like me, so no need for that."