‘What you need,’ said the Dragon, ‘is a way to eat your poor.’

‘We already have that, but it’s indirect,’
the Senator answered, wiping off his chin.

‘We bleed them with low pay or, better, none.
When they weaken, we brand “lazy” on their foreheads.

Those who die out deserve to. Not insured.

After I left it, we added the middle class
to our menu. Strangely, we have less to eat.

Just you and me, eh, Dragon. Who blinks first?’