A MAZE OF GREED

After talking with her neighbour, Ruth started walking in the direction of the tailor shop, which was situated in the western part of the town. She promised Mr Cooper to submit the completed work before noon. If she got late, then he would not give her any work next time.

Ruth pulled her dress up a little, above her ankles while making sure that her feet didn't land in the mud and garbage that were scattered all over the narrow road. The sewage water had a foul smell that made her scrunch her nose in disgust.

That is why they called the Eastern part a dirty area, where people didn't care about hygiene or cleanliness. Ruth loved the cleanliness and had hygienic habits that her mother taught her. The habitation made her sick. She didn't like to step outside her room unless and until she didn't have an important job to do.

During her walk, she greeted many acquainted people with a smile, a wave and occasional verbal greetings. Though this area was not good to look at, the people here were kind. At least they put up the facade of kindness. But Ruth had experienced enough to look through their facade.

She knew that these people were kind until they didn't have any selfish interests. But when it came to gains, they were no less than the evil. That was the reason why she maintained good relations with everyone while keeping her guards up. The life after her mother's demise had taught her to not trust anyone easily. That was the rule of survival.

Soon the tiny houses with crowded plan transformed into more spaciously built larger houses and big shops of clothes, groceries, vegetables, meat and seafood stalls, etc. The foul smell got replaced with a mild fragrance that Ruth always admired.

The appearance of people also changed significantly, as she ventured further into the western side. People here were neatly dressed with jewellery adorned their bodies. Chariots of rich lords ran on the road. Madams were busy having a morning talk in the nearby garden, while lords were laughing and bragging about their wealth and achievements. Some elders were busy discussing the conditions of colonies and how the native people there should learn to respect their white lords.

But, the most discussed topic was, of course, a celebration that was planned by the O'Dell family. The celebration was scheduled for tonight and one could easily pick on the enthusiasm and excitement in people regarding it.

Ruth reached in front of Mr Cooper's tailor shop after crossing the road as the shop was situated on the other side of the road. The location of the shop was perfect as it was easily accessible and had enough space to halt an average size chariot in front of it.

Ruth glanced up at the name-board of the shop, which was decorated with large and bold letters. Ruth sighed with relief that she was able to reach there on time. She opened the door and entered the shop to see three women working on different clothes of various colours.

Her eyes landed on the man with greying hairs. He was talking with one of the women with his back towards Ruth.

"How many times I have told you to finish the work before the deadline? You all are sluggish! I don't understand why I pay you for slacking back on the work?!" Mr Cooper was not in a good mood as he scolded the woman, who had her head hung in shame.

"I apologize, Mr Cooper." The woman said meekly.

Mr Cooper shook his head while exhaling loudly. "It is hard to find good employees these days." He muttered under his breath.

Ruth felt uncomfortable because of the tension that was prominent in the shop. It was not very big, but a decent-sized shop but a very popular one. The front side showcased dresses of different styles to see by people walking on the road through the transparent glass. Mr Cooper was the third generation of running this shop.

The man turned around, and his eyes landed on nervous Ruth. He forgot his annoyance and welcomed her while approaching the table in the corner, near the front door.

"You are on time!" He stated, not bothering with formal greetings.

Ruth smiled a little and neared the table. "Yes, Mr Cooper. Good morning!"

The old man ignored Ruth's greetings and pulled out the book, which had records and details of all the orders he got. He pulled up his glasses on his nose while flipping the pages of the book.

"Hmm. Show me the dress." He commanded, after opening the right page of the book.

Ruth carefully pulled out the dress from the bag and put it on the table to show Mr Cooper. The man checked the design and the stitches by running his fingers on the dress. He took ten minutes to check the dress inside-out. After the inspection of the dress, he nodded in satisfaction but didn't say a word of appreciation. Ruth felt a little bad as she took so much efforts to make this dress in such a short time. But that was how she always got treated and had learned by now to not mind such rude behaviour by others.

After scribbling something in the notebook, Mr Cooper pulled out the drawer of the table. He ordered a woman to take the dress and pack it to deliver to the madame, who have ordered it. Ruth watched as Mr Cooper muttered something in low voice out of the habit he had. Her ears couldn't pick on a single word that he said so she ignored it and waited in anticipation to get the pay of her work.

"Here!" Mr Cooper put the money in front of Ruth.

Her excitement died in a moment after she looked at how much money it was. "I think you are mistaken, Mr Cooper. But this is too little for the work I have done." Ruth told politely.

The man stared at her in irritation. "What? Do you think this is little? Then tell me young lady how much do you want?"

"I- I was expecting at least two times of this. The work was not simple and I had to work for longer hours than usual to complete it." Ruth tried to reason.

The money was not enough to get her three day's essentials, let alone paying the rent of her room.

"Seamstresses like you don't understand the business and how much tailor shop owners like us have to take efforts to please the customer. There was a stain on the dress, and now I have to take care of that. With a great heart I am not asking for the compensation from you for the damage, and here you are arguing for the money that I gave." The man glared through his glasses at Ruth.

Ruth felt like crying right then and there as she didn't know what to say to this man, who was her sole source of earning money for now. She was sure that there was not a single stain on the dress as she had checked the dress two times before bringing it there.

"But Mr Cooper..." She tried again.

But the man cut her in the middle. "You want this money or not? You should be grateful that I give you work to help a poor woman like you. Do you think that I don't pay you enough? If it is the way you think about me then I will not bother again to give you work. You can go and find some other place where they will give you enough pay." He asked in a hardened voice.

Ruth shook her head. "No. I- I apologize to you, Mr Cooper. I didn't mean to disrespect you in that way. I was only..." Before she could complete her statement, the man rose his brows.

Ruth bit back the words and sighed dejectedly. There was no point in arguing with this man or she would lose her earnings. Ruth had to accept the money he had given without complaining.

"Thank you, Mr Cooper. Please inform me if you have any work for me. And please, don't misunderstand my words. I am fine with the pay you give me." Ruth said humbly while taking the money.

"I think you are a hard-working woman with dedication towards her job. Hence, I consider you over other seamstresses when I have an overload of work. You should learn to respect your elders, Miss Moore. Now if you are done with then please excuse me, I have work to do." The old man walked towards the rack of dresses at the back of the shop after dismissing Ruth.

Ruth glanced at other women, who were enjoying the whole incidence. They showed a look of mockery to Ruth. She felt sad and insulted but had no way to fight for her right.

She left the shop with a sunken heart and tears of frustration.