You go and see Arlene & Ralph about work

When you wake up the next morning it takes a little while before you remember where you are and what has been happening. As you wake fully and everything comes back to you it's the worry about the gruff voiced guy using you like a sex **** that worries you most. However as there is nothing you can do about that right now you head to the showers to freshen up before starting your first day of working in the camp.

The feeling of freshness after showering is lessened somewhat by having to wear the hospital gown you've been walking around in since yesterday and have been wearing for who knows how long while you were abandoned in that hospital. Still you feel stronger than yesterday with some of the pain of movement you had been experiencing having eased off a lot. You are determined to put in a good shift and show everyone you are not just a liability and will be of value to the camp as you head to the front of the non-civilians living area.

Outside the front of the building you see a middle aged lady and a young guy about your age sat on deckchairs with a wooden table in front of them soaking in the sun with a short line of people queuing up to see them. You deduce that these are the Arlene & Ralph that Jerry had told you to go and see. You join the back of the queue and wait your turn to be assigned a task for the day.

A few people join the queue as you wait your turn and are again embarrassed about how your butt is exposed to those behind you due to the hospital gown's open back. As you wait your turn you take a look at Arlene and Ralph. Arlene seems to be mid forties and rather skinny. You notice her loud voice and cackling laugh as she assigns tasks to each person in turn. Ralph on the other hand hasn't really said anything. His head is bowed and his shoulders slumped, it reminds you a bit of your own manner in front of people so you assume he is maybe shy around people like you are. Also in contrast to Arlene he is not skinny, you guess exercise is not something he partakes in much and this cushy job of just sitting next to Arlene as she hands out assignments is an easy way for him to do nothing.

When you finally reach the front of the line you're attempt to introduce yourself is quickly superseded by Arlene saying "So you must be the new girl Jerry told me about. I would have thought you'd get here first in line this morning." She looks you up and down dismissively, you don't seem to have made a good first impression on her. Ralph on the other hand has stopped looking down at the ground and is staring at you intently. "I'm Arlene and this here is my son Ralph, we've been in this camp a long time and are as close to leaders of the non-citizens as you can get. We hold a lot of sway with the citizens too since they have gotten to know us from our long stay. You'll find being on our good side can make things much better for you here. We can even guarantee your survival in the vote if it pleases us."

You become a little nervous at hearing this so can only speak softly as you introduce yourself. "Good morning, my name is Ayami. It is nice to meet you both and I will do my best to get the work done well."

Arlene's cackling laugh meets your meek introduction. "I'm sure you will, but looking at you I think your best is probably not worth much. Walking around here with your ass hanging out, talking quiet as a mouse. I should just go tell Jerry your useless right now and save us all the hassle."

"No, please don't do that. I'm going to work hard and I'll complete the task properly I swear." Your volume increased due to your worry.

"You better had. Like I told you we can guarantee your survival in the vote but likewise one word from us will have you failing that vote and send that bare ass you like showing off so much straight out of here and into that hellhole outside. Do you understand?" Arlene asks, looking you square in the eye as she awaits your response.