Dennis knew the only way for he to get bigger was getting a good job that paid well. Most jobs for the small people involved working on the industry, or the agriculture. Even if he had been born in middle class life woulnd't be easy: He would have to work in shops with small business, but would have to face heavy competition. Now and then there were some highly intelligent middle class people who developed new technology, but working by itself was very expensive, and people ran into debits very easily.
Even if the bank credit was still available for the tiny people, the bankers disregarded it as they profits were low and the risks were big. They were still feeling the effects of the 2074 housing bubble, when a lot of banks broke down. They even tried to ask for help from the goverment, but the biggest banks saw it as an opportunity to wipe down all the competion. The middle class also suffered a lot, many had to be downsized.
That's why he had studied a lot. There were other alternatives, such as sports, or arts, but for those, he would be entering very late in the game, and only the very talented got big.
Of course there were always the underground options: stealing, seling drugs, and prostituition. For the middle class the underworld would have more options such as fraud, usury, oligopoly formation, but the police were very alert.
So Dennis thought he would try what he though was the best option going to the university. As he entered in the metro station he could only imagine what he was going to see, after all, the University was situated in the high middle class district, which held most of the public buildings. Beyond that district was the millionaires and after that one the billionaires, however, visitors from the lower classes were prohibited up there, 'cause it was an area which many tried to steal.
Dennis finaly entered the train and took a seat next to a relatively tall girl: he couldn't even reach the floor with his foot, but the girl almost reach up to the ceiling.
- So what are you going to do in the big city ma'm?- Dennis politely asked.
- I am gonna play basketball and you? - She replied.
- I will try to enter the college. - Dennis aswered. - let me introduce myself i'm Dennis.
- Samantha.- she told him. - And before you ask, i'm 55 cm.
You tough wow she is very tall for a poor people, if she had more 5 centimeters she would have to compete in the lower middle class tournement. This way she kept relatively taller than her opponents, what would give her an advantage.
She told Dennis that in truth she would have to be in the lower middle class tournment, but she transfered good part of her money to her little sister account.
- This way I give my sister an early height advantage to keep her intersted in basketball, which will make her grow even more in the future. So she doesn't have to sell her body.
Dennis knew that was the reality of his time: the poor girls either hoped to have good looks and marry a richer husband, or they sold their body, and hoped to not get caught by the police or the pimps.
She had reached into her station, and kissed Dennis with her big lips in his cheek. She stood up and said goodbye. Dennis, in his turn, stood up and hugged her knee like a child hugged his mom. Dennis secretely hoped he saw her again.
As the door closed Dennis continued his journey.
What happens now?