Eveline's lips parted to protest, but I didn't give her the chance.
"Look at the people outside this place," I said, gesturing vaguely toward the city. "They're working hard every day to put food on the table, to take care of their families. Now, compare them to these so-called victims who claim they can't find work. That's just an excuse. Anyone can make that excuse. But you know what separates those outside from these bums? Effort. The will to try, to fight for a better life."
I pointed toward the crowd, my voice rising slightly. "You want to talk about support? Fine. Then tell me this—what happened when the city opened its doors to them? When it offered them labor jobs to help in construction of the city? They were given a chance to contribute, to earn a living with dignity. And what did they do? Nothing. They took the food, the money, and when it was gone, they crawled right back here, content to rot away."
