If Eric’s classmates ever found out that his family watched TV during breakfast, they’d probably say the Petersons were totally out of touch. But the Petersons had always been the kind of family who couldn’t care less about what other people thought.
When Eric sat down at the table, the whole family was already gathered. Mom was pouring tea, while Grandma set down a plate of pancakes with jam. Dad was fiddling with the remote for the small flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, right across from Eric’s usual spot. Finally, he settled on a news channel. On the screen, a round-faced, rosy-cheeked prime minister was rattling off his accomplishments over the past six months.
“Poverty has been completely eradicated in this country,” the politician spat out in a rapid-fire monologue, staring at some fixed point above the camera. “The tax system has been adjusted to account for citizens’ incomes. For members of Class C, we’re providing social housing with no utility bills. Pensions are on the rise…”
“Turn off this liar already,” Mom interrupted. “Let me finish watching ‘Bachelor in Space.’ Things are getting so heated there…”
The doorbell chimed with a dull buzz. Dad pressed another button on the remote, and the TV screen switched to the intercom feed. A small crowd stood outside their door: a few officials with notepads and laptops, a cameraman with his equipment at the ready, and leading the pack—a lanky man in glasses. Eric recognized him as the deputy mayor who’d recently spoken at a career day event at his school.
“Great, another commission the devil dragged in,” Dad grumbled under his breath.
Mom got flustered, quickly untied her old apron, and scanned the apartment to make sure everything was in order. Dad reluctantly pressed a button, and the door automatically swung open. As if on cue, the family rose from the table and shuffled into the hallway to greet their visitors.
“Good morning!” the deputy mayor said cheerfully, his gaze shifting from one face to the next before settling on Eric’s grandma. He flashed a friendly smile, revealing a set of flawless, artificial teeth.
“Dear Mrs. Peterson,” the city official addressed her directly, “on behalf of our esteemed mayor and myself, I’d like to congratulate you on your well-earned retirement. You’ve dedicated forty years of service to our community as a sanitation worker at a Class C hospital! Your tireless efforts to maintain cleanliness and order in a healthcare facility, as well as your care for your home and the well-being of your family, have earned you a prestigious recognition…”
The deputy mayor paused for dramatic effect. At that moment, a young woman standing just behind him stepped forward, handing him a lavish bouquet of flowers and a small, elongated envelope.
“…and so, it is my honor to present you with this modest bouquet and a voucher for a seaside vacation, where you can relax at a comfortable Class C resort. Additionally, as is standard for every retiree, you’ll receive a certificate for free public transportation and complimentary medical care at a hospital of your class. Congratulations!”
Grandma hurried forward and accepted the gifts from his hands.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Deputy Mayor,” she said warmly.
“Just one more moment, a photo for the press…” The same young woman who’d handed over the gifts stepped up again, snapping pictures with her camera while the cameraman diligently recorded everything.
“Oh, why are we all standing here in the hallway?” Mom exclaimed, clapping her hands. “Let’s move to the living room. I’ll treat you to some tea, and we can take photos there.”
“Thank you for the invitation, but don’t worry about the tea—we’re in a rush. We’ve got a few more families to visit today.”
Still, they did take photos in the living room, against the backdrop of the brand-new furniture the family had recently bought on a zero-interest loan offered by the state bank for socially vulnerable citizens. First, they reenacted the award presentation, then snapped a group photo of the happy family with the deputy mayor and the guest of honor at the center.
“Well, we wish you all the best and continued prosperity!” the official said as they prepared to leave, his tone shifting from celebratory to slightly formal. “But I must make a small note. The shared hallway outside your apartment is a bit dirty, and that’s not acceptable. The state provides free housing on the condition that exemplary cleanliness is maintained. Please, after we leave, make sure to mop the floor. Take care!”
As soon as the door closed behind them, the carefree smiles vanished from everyone’s faces. There was no time left for breakfast now; the family scrambled, grabbing their things and getting dressed in a hurry.
“Probably that new neighbor tracking dirt in the hallway again, and now we’re the ones who’ll get slapped with a citation,” Mom said indignantly, applying mascara in front of the hallway mirror while Dad hunted for his car keys.
“Don’t worry, I’ll clean it up right now,” Grandma reassured them. She placed the flowers in a vase and examined the gifted voucher. “Well, would you look at that, ‘all-inclusive.’ Though it’s only for three days…”
“Guess that’s all you’re worth to them,” Dad muttered. “It’s all just PR and showboating… Eric, need a ride to school?”
“Yeah,” the boy replied, quickly lacing up his sneakers. “I’ve got a sociology exam today, the last one before the TOM. If I’m late, I’m toast…”
“Alright then, let’s roll!”
They waved goodbye to Grandma and headed downstairs to the car.