Derek was listening to the radio and using computer. The TV was on, but the volume muted. The fan was on medium speed, because speed would be too slow for a hot like today. He dared not use high speed, loose papers on the table top would start or flying everywhere. The fan was far enough to keep the papers still, but close enough cool him off.

Suddenly, Derek’s stomach growled loudly. didn’t feel all that hungry, but he thought the “squeaky wheel” should get some grease. He over to the refrigerator. Absent-mindedly, he opened the door, the freezer door. It contained six empty cube trays.

He shut it and opened the door. He scrutinized the shelves: milk, pickles, olives, , diet soda; an unopened jar of strawberry preserves he must have bought two years ago; ketchup, , three bottles of water; a few pieces of candy, and some single-wrap cheese slices. How could whole refrigerator have nothing worth eating, Derek wondered. opened the vegetable bins. Nothing in there except red onions, half a head of green cabbage, two apples that had brown soft spots.

His contained some food, but it was food that would eat only if you were starving. He reminded of his stint in the army. His and he always joked about how bad the -rations were, but when they were really hungry those C-rations disappeared quickly.

Derek went back to his and resumed using his computer and listening to radio. His stomach growled again, but he ignored . He would wait until he was really hungry. he would walk down to the fried chicken five minutes away and get some finger-licking food.