Fires

[perzephone]

Well, over 500,000 people have been evacuated from southern California due to the wildfires. A good number of them fled here to Vegas, and we've got a hotel full of people who smelled like smoke before they spent time in the casino. People literally drove through flames to get here because they were cut off from L.A. & there really isn't anything between us & San Diego except agriculture. Baker & Victorville are probably full, as well as Stateline. It's hard, telling someone they owe money for a room when they've lost their house and don't even know what, if anything, will be left when they go back. I feel like the lowest sort of human, that which profits from other's misfortune. Generally, I don't care about other people one way or the other, and while I lack compassion, I understand that I'm helping a billion-dollar corporation make money off people who have already lost everything important to them. It makes me feel ugly. Somewhere in some posh office, a CEO is undoubtedly rubbing their hands together excitedly... "Ah, first the fires and then the bullriders! We're making a mint this week!" I have shut off a lot of my more telepathic & empathic abilities over the years, but I still hear horses screaming.

Tomorrow is my Metro background interview. I figure even if I don't pass (as any of my potential character witnesses can attest to, I am not of sound moral character and I've got a horrible memory) I'm still one step closer to a Metro job than I've ever been. I've just had kind of an emotionally draining day.