Kapitel 12: Military?

Neville stepped out of his apartment, locking the door behind him. The morning rays hit his eyes and the city was already bustling with activity that assaulted his ears. He adjusted the strap of his messenger bag and set off towards the local grocery store. Today's list was simple: basic supplies to get him through the week as he wasn't sure how long it would take for him to land a job.

As he walked, Neville's mind wandered back to the events of the past 24 hours. The encounter with Miss Blaire brought him trouble, but he pushed those thoughts aside. He needed to focus on the mundane tasks at hand and also job hunting while at it.

The grocery store was a short walk away, and Neville soon found himself navigating the aisles. He picked up a basket and began filling it with essentials: bread, milk, eggs, and a few vegetables. He paused in front of the cereal section, debating whether to treat himself to his favorite brand. With a small smile, he tossed it into the basket. "Life's little pleasures," he thought.

At the checkout, Neville exchanged polite nods with the cashier, paid for his items, and packed them into his bag. As he stepped back onto the street, he noticed something different.

The number of military recruitment posters had increased significantly. They were plastered on walls, lampposts, and even bus stops. Each one depicted proud soldiers in uniform, accompanied by slogans encouraging enlistment.

Curiosity piqued, Neville stopped to read one of the posters more closely. "Join the Army: Secure Our Future, Your County Needs You!" it proclaimed in bold letters. He chuckled to himself, imagining a scenario where he, of all people, joined the military.

"If I don't find a job soon, I might just have to," he joked under his breath. The thought was both amusing and sobering. With his current financial situation, the idea of a guaranteed meal and shelter was not entirely unappealing.

Continuing his walk home, Neville's mind drifted to his debts. He had been scraping by, and had done well clearinga great portion of it. With his severance pay he might clear to almost 85%. But having no job meant he had to live on his savings.

Therefore the thought of using his remaining savings to pay off his debts and then enlisting in the military crossed his mind. It was a drastic measure, but one that would provide stability. Atleast he would get a home and food.

As he approached his apartment building, Neville shook his head, trying to dispel the notion. "If it's the only thing available after a week he might consider, " he muttered.

He had always valued his order and structure. The military, with its rigid structure and demands, didn't sound that bad.

Entering his apartment, Neville set the grocery bags on the kitchen counter and began unpacking. The familiar routine of putting away groceries was comforting. He placed the bread in the pantry, the milk and eggs in the mini-fridge, and the vegetables in the crisper drawer. The cereal box found its place on the top shelf, a small reminder of the simple joys in life.

With the groceries sorted, Neville made himself a cup of tea and sat down at the kitchen table. He glanced at the stack of envelopes(there were only two) that awaited his attention.

Sipping his tea, he resolved to keep searching for a job that suited him. The military might offer stability, but he was determined to find a path that offered most benefits(money).

In the middle of sorting through his bills, sharp knock echoed through his apartment. He frowned, not expecting any visitors. Setting the papers aside, he walked to the door and opened it cautiously thinking about the encounter earlier that day.

Standing there was a man in a crisp military uniform, his posture rigid and authoritative. "Good morning, sir. My name is Sergeant Collins. May I have a moment of your time?" the man said, his voice firm yet polite.

Neville raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Sure, what's this about?" he asked, stepping aside to let the recruiter in.

Sergeant Collins entered, his eyes scanning the modest apartment before settling back on Neville. "I'm here to talk to you about the benefits of enlisting in the military. We're offering a very generous signing bonus, along with comprehensive health benefits, housing allowances, and educational opportunities."

Neville listened, his suspicion growing with each benefit listed. "That sounds... quite generous," he said slowly.

"Why the sudden push for recruitment?"

The sergeant smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "We're always looking for dedicated individuals to join our ranks. The military offers stability and a chance to serve your country."

Neville nodded, but his mind was racing. The aggressive recruitment campaign, the lucrative benefits- it all seemed too good to be true. He speculated that they need more personnel which hinted that either the ones they have are not enough or something is about to happen, like war. And what better place to recruit than from the pool of the poor.

Neville's suspicion deepened. "I see," he said, not entirely convinced. "I'll consider it."

The sergeant's smile widened. "That's all we ask. Here's some information for you to look over."

He handed Neville a brochure filled with glossy photos of soldiers in action and detailed descriptions of the benefits.

Neville took the brochure, glancing at it briefly before setting it on the table. "Thanks. I'll think about it," he said, moving towards the door.

Sergeant Collins took the hint and stepped back. "We hope to hear from you soon, Mr. Grey. Have a good day."

"You too," Neville replied, closing the door behind him. He leaned against it for a moment, processing the encounter. The military's sudden interest in recruitment, coupled with the generous benefits, made him uneasy.

" Wait. I was so preoccupied as to why a soldier was here that i let him in the house with his shoes!" Thought Neville as he looked at the floor in disgust before going on another mopping frenzy.

After finishing, he walked back to the space, the brochure still on the table. Picking it up, he flipped through the pages, noting the promises of financial stability, career advancement, and the chance to serve the country.

It was tempting, especially given his current financial struggles. But the thought of enlisting, of potentially being sent into conflict, was daunting.

Neville sighed, setting the brochure aside. He had told the sergeant he would consider it, but in truth, he was far from making a decision. The encounter had left him with more questions than answers, and a growing sense of unease.

For now, he would focus on finding a job that didn't potentially mean enlisting to war.

At this moment he remembered about his brother and the envelope he received from him. Finding his coat from yesterday he found the creased envelope. He held it for some seconds before deciding to open it.