Altruism?

There is no charity,
At least in this city.
No work is done for honest gain
Without unknown added costs.

Some call them favours,
Others incentives.
To me, it’s an insecure insurance
Policy to motivate workers,

Who will always have a story
Why the work can’t be done,
Without paying for extra labour,
For simple services, like fixing a car.

It goes in for a usual service –
It comes out needing to be re-serviced
Since parts are ‘misplaced’,
When the next mechanic says:

“Boss, these parts installed are faulty.”
Were the two men in collusion?
We can never be certain,
Other than the roaring costs

For a job half-done. I turn in
Loads of notes. Upset, I visit the barber
I tip him, and he tips me off.
His boot is loaded with fine shoes.

“Best name brands at better prices.”
Than the store? But how did he get them?
I buy a pair, but am I in collusion
To the manager looking for walking shoes?

I just wanted my haircut, but the cut
Of prices of these name brand shoes
Sedates the fury of my car in service,
And I make a saving and return

To the crook that downgraded the car.
“Reimburse me on your poor workmanship!”
He looks at me in disbelief:
“Bo rra², with what money?”

The leeching is a means of feeding
The hungry family. Swindling is a means of
Educating the children. As for the money,
“You can afford to make more.”

First published on The Kalahari Review