When Yang Liansheng returned to the convenience store, the salesperson looked at him in surprise.
"Brother, why are you back? Did something fall here?"
"No, it's just water. Have the police finished asking questions?" Yang Liansheng walked to the shelf, looked at the price tag, took a bucket of water and returned to the cashier. After paying the bill, he asked: "Is there a map? Can you let me look around? Road?" (Additional: Mineral water in convenience stores is very expensive, a 500ml bottle costs about 1 dollar, but a box of 24 bottles only costs 5-6 dollars, and a one-gallon barrel is very cheap, about 1 dollar)
"Today is terrible. Here is the map. Take a look at it yourself. You can only admit that you are unlucky. Who knows when we will catch this damn robber." The salesperson casually took out a folded old map from the counter and handed it to him. Gave it to Yang Liansheng.
"Thank you." Yang Liansheng unfolded the map and suddenly felt chills on his back when he saw the place names on it: Arkansas, Pulaski County, Little Rock.
Take a look at the map of the United States at the back. Arkansas is in the south, to the east, and California is on the west coast of the United States, to the southwest. This is too far. How did the original owner come here? He was a homeless man.
"Thank you. I have another question to ask. Are there any Chinese restaurants nearby?"
"Let me think about it...there must be none nearby. I have no impression."
"Okay, thank you." Yang Liansheng put the map on the cashier, turned around, opened the door and left the convenience store.
…
When I was paying the bill just now, I took a look at the newspaper on the cashier. It was 09/07/1999, Tuesday. The newspaper on the cashier should be the latest. The date and location were confirmed, but for Yang Liansheng, it was really unexpected. outside.
When I first woke up, I thought that since I am from San Francisco, California, in theory, even if I become a homeless person, I will still be in the local area. The prosperity of California is impressive. I can find a way to survive in a lively place. But now I have arrived before. I haven’t heard much about Arkansas, so I can only take one step at a time.
Back at the tent, it looked like the homeless people were all up, and there were a lot more of them.
"Jimmy, come here quickly. It's time to go to the bank. If it's later, there won't be anything to eat." A white man saw Yang Liansheng coming back and said hello.
"I'm really not used to being called Jimmy. It seems that I have to call myself Jimmy more often in the future and get used to the English name. From now on I will be Jimmy Yang." Yang Liansheng felt a little helpless when he thought of this. He was used to Chinese names in the past. After his rebirth, he immediately The name I gave myself is also a Chinese name, and now it seems that I still have no experience.
"OK, wait while I put the water in the tent." He opened the tent and put down the water. Jimmy stood up and said to the white man who just greeted him, "Let's go."
Several people gathered together and walked towards an open-air parking lot in the distance. Jimmy didn't speak all the way, and had been paying attention to their conversation. First, he needed to determine the names of these people. This rebirth did not inherit the memory of the original owner, and he was completely unfamiliar with the people around him.
The person who greeted him just now was Jerry. His last name was unknown. Among the others, he only heard someone being called Hunter by others. These two names were the only ones that were certain.
"Jerry, do you know where I can work nearby? A part-time job, for a few days." Jimmy asked Jerry. He only had about 20 dollars on him, and he really didn't feel safe without money.
"Huh? What happened, Jimmy? Why do you want to work as a temporary worker?" Jerry was surprised. The homeless people had no idea of working. For them, there were food banks that provided free food every day and tents. You can live there, or you can go to a church or a relief shelter to live temporarily. There is no need to work.
"You know, I'm from California and I always have to go back. Prepare the travel expenses." Jimmy said.
"I really don't know about this. Let me ask you later. Are you homesick? Jimmy." Jerry looked at Jimmy and nodded. Jimmy is different from himself. He is almost 50, but Jimmy is still young. Although he didn't say it, he is probably in his 20s.
"Thanks, Jerry." Jimmy patted Jerry on the back.
…
Arriving at the open-air parking lot, Jimmy discovered everyone's goal. There were already many people queuing up, and there was a large awning next to the wall with the words Feeding America on it. There are many boxes stacked under the awning, and staff are packing food.
"Hey, Mike, what's in your bag today?" Jerry seemed familiar with the staff here. He was greeting an old man who looked like a supervisor.
Mike is a white man, probably over 60 years old. He has Mediterranean hair on his head, and only half of his hair is gray.
"Hi, Jerry. It's still burgers today, but there's also a small amount of tomatoes and cabbage. Do you want to cook your own food? If not, it's just burgers."
"Just hamburgers, none of us know how to cook." Jerry turned around and returned to the end of the line without jumping in line directly.
Jimmy looked at their communication, thought for a moment, and asked Jerry, "Jerry, are you familiar with Mike?"
"Of course, we've known each other for several years. He's been working at the food bank here."
"clear."
... After receiving a packed paper bag, several people returned to their tents. Jimmy directly took the burgers and sat with Jerry. Each of them filled their stomachs with a burger first, and then packed the rest and put it in the tent.
"Now, Jimmy, did you want to ask about Mike just now?" After all, Jerry had rich social experience and could tell at a glance what Jimmy wanted to ask.
"Yes, Mike, do they need anyone there? What do you think about me going to the food bank?"
"Don't think about it. If you sign up now, you will definitely be accepted. But listen, you will also be a volunteer after you go there. You will get nothing but food and no salary." Jerry shook his head and strangled him directly. Jimmy's thoughts.
"Feeding America and the food bank only pay their regular employees, the others are locally recruited volunteers. Of all the staff you see today, only Mike is paid. Food banks are hard to get into, this kind of thing The organization has requirements for employees, and it is impossible for those of us with no fixed abode to pass their review. In addition, don't disturb their order, we all need them, unless you are willing to live in a church. You are probably not a believer. ?”
"No, I'm not." Jimmy dismissed the idea of finding a job at a food bank. "Then what else do you think you can do? Work as a waiter in a restaurant?"
"This depends on the opportunity. Give me some time and I will think of a solution."
Jerry got up and walked back to his tent. Jimmy didn't know what to do next, so he had to get into the tent to rest.
