Sibling Rivalry

Everyone knows life isn’t fair, but sometimes it’s really unfair.

Some people are born into privilege, and others have to fight for every ounce of good fortune. That has always been the way, but what happens when you’re in camp struggle and your very own brother is on easy street?

Well, that’s exactly how things are for Mack and Michael. You may wonder how two men can be brothers, yet one be a legitimate citizen of New America, and the other be a lowly casher. Well, that’s simple. Michael and Mack are step-brothers. Their mother, Erin, married Martin, Michael’s biological father, thus making her a legitimate by marriage. Michael was born a legitimate citizen, having been born to two legitimate parents. Mack was born long before Erin’s marriage. He would need to be officially adopted by Martin if he were to become a legitimate citizen of New America. (Legitimate status is not transferrable to pre-existing children before marriage.)

Martin tried. As far as he is concerned, Mack is his son regardless of his parentage, and he really wanted to give him every opportunity to thrive. But the fees to officially adopt and make someone a legitimate citizen are astronomical, and Martin gets by, but he doesn’t have that sort of disposable income.

Michael has everything. He’s a legitimate citizen and has been brought up with all the perks that brings. He went to school, then on to college. Began a career in law enforcement. Married a nice girl, has a kid, and owns a home and a nice car. He’s travelled across the country (not abroad though, as New America is a closed country) and now works for the government as one of their special XJ5 handlers.

Mack on the other hand, is a casher. He is three years older than Michael, but has watched his brother best him at everything in life. As a casher, Mack couldn’t attend a proper school, and as an adult, he owns no formal qualifications. He will never be allowed to own property or own a car. He can’t even own a mobile phone by himself, he needs a legitimate citizen to purchase it and pay for its usage.

As a child, Mack wasn’t allowed to play in the streets of his own neighbourhood. His family lived in a legitimate area, but as Mack had no citizenship, he wasn’t allowed to be there unless accompanied by a legitimate citizen. The children from the local school bullied him, and his younger brother would egg them on.

Mack has done well for himself, given his circumstances. He runs a coffee shop, and has a house. Both these things are his, except they aren’t. His step father legally owns the house, even though Mack pays the mortgage, and again, his step father owns the coffee shop, even though it is Mack’s business. Mack has gone as far as he ever will in life. There is literally no more up for him. A steady job and a place to live means he is already doing better than 90 percent of the other cashers in New America. Against them, he is in a very privileged position. He tries to remind himself of that fact, but it’s so hard when Michael has everything handed to him on a plate, and Mack has to fight so hard just for things other people take for granted.

Michael’s new job has seen him triple his income and go from standard legitimate, to Elite status in just a few short months. He frequently rubs shoulders with rich and powerful people, and he is revered in the community for his position as XJ5 handler. He is treated as a celebrity, while Mack is left behind, still looked upon as scum by society, simply because he doesn’t possess the correct documentation.

Mack is a good man. Intelligent, honest, and compassionate in equal measure. He is level-headed and even-tempered, and generous, yet he will never have the same opportunities as his brother.

Michael on the other hand, possesses a mean streak. A sense of entitlement that goes hand in hand with his new Elite status and an inflated ego. He is conceited and believes he is better than other people. He doesn’t for one second believe that his citizenship circumstances have shaped his life. According to Michael, he did it all by himself. Mack just needs to work harder…

Sometimes life just isn’t fair.

If you’d like to read more about these characters, or the world in which they live, check out my series, Almost Human. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09RV9YHYG