Vincent awoke in his room at his parents house alone. It wasn't unusual for them to go on vacation this time of year but considering the state of the world it seemed wreckless to uphold this normalcy. Vincent got dressed for work at a store that sold high-end technology. There was new world of useful technology outside of cell phones and television since powers began emerging. Many of them scams promising to train a power skill while others were created to enhance an existing skill; Adding fuel to the fire so to speak. This store held one of the most coveted and expensive pieces of technology that can be found, the POWER watch. POWER being an acronym for power observing watch energy recorder. The watch can tell you what element you can control, what power skills you can perform, your competency of each power skill, the energy requirements, and your power level.
The POWER watch had a hefty price tag of 100,000 dollars which is nearly 5 times the annual salary of a low-income worker like Vince. Nevertheless, everyone wanted a POWER watch including Vince. The rich had no problem obtaining a watch and many families became even more wealthy and powerful being able to buy POWER watches and power skills. Not to mention private power tutors. Vince was relying on his knowledge from online videos where everyday people share their level 1 abilities and their awakening stories. It took 5 years of living with his parents, working at the tech store, and taking on odd jobs before Vince finally amassed $75,000. With his 30% discount. He could finally purchase the watch.
Vince walked into work for the last time as he continued his shift as usual. Even though he planned on purchasing the watch with his discount and immediately quitting, there was no reason he wouldn't work as hard as he did every other day. Vince is the kind of person to come in early or stay late in order to exceed the expectations of others. It wasn't that he cared about what people thought of him, he just felt an intrinsic sense of satisfaction lessening the burden from others. His last few annual reviews, he was warned not to put 100% into every day because he can get burnt out. He replied,
"if I don't put in 100%, I am not being the best that I can be. There is no point in being less than my best self." Vince had goals and the only way he was going to reach his goals was by putting in every bit of energy he had.
As soon as his shift ended, he let his manager know that he would be purchasing the POWER watch.
"You know how much this watch costs don't ya?" Todd said as he retrieved one of the watches from the safe.
"It's not worth it. Maybe you find out what element you could control but the cost of power skills is so high you would be better off joining the military and hoping they have a skill for ya."
Vince nodded in acknowledgement, his mind already made up. After the purchase, Vince let the manager know that he is no longer able to work there. His goal of a new life finally hit a starting point. "Good luck to ya kid. You're gonna need it." Todd said as Vince walked out the front door.