Flameout — Richard Quarry

In mid-21st century America, you're either on one side of the desk or the other. The Social Services Department desk, that is. Helping others to help themselves.Like beleaguered caseworker Cary Gilford tells a shifty client whining around about how his family's about to get thrown onto the street without a rent increase: help yourself, Mr. Ruggero. Next, please.What, does Mr. Ruggero really think Gilford's going to go begging to the Administration hat in hand? They'll transfer him to the dread Unit 9 before you can say, it is to laugh.On the other hand, sometimes a man's got to do what a man's got to do. So to save his own soul, or maybe just see where it's got to these past few years, Gilford decides he'll get Mr. Ruggero his rent increase after all.Of course everything has its price.