“Come on, keep this line moving,” said the man dressed in Khaki and wearing a sidearm.

Frank Griffin shuffled along, looking at the bent back of the man in front of him.
A year ago the executive order came into effect. All citizens turning 60 were to report to the nearest Federal clinic to be evaluated. If, in the medical staff’s opinion, any were judged to have ailments that were too costly to continue receiving care, then they were put on a list for termination. This could come in two forms: either immediate with an injection or just placing the person in a care facility and denying them medication until they died.

Frank sat on the examination table awaiting the doctor’s return. The door opened and Frank knew what the answer was the minute his eyes met the doctor’s.

“Mr. Griffin, the tests show your Diabetes has advanced. I’m sorry, but I can’t recommend further treatment.”

Frank looked at the floor.

“That’s okay Doc. It’s not your fault. So, what is the next step?”

“I’ll have my nurse take you to the reception center down the hall. Go ahead and put your clothes on. She’ll be here in a few minutes.”

The doctor left the room and Frank looked out the window at a robin perched nervously on a branch.

“Well, I guess I’m not going to be here come summer,” Frank thought.
“Unless…”

*****

Frank looked at the calendar. It was now July 4th. Since the day he was deemed not worth saving, he’d managed to get out a side door, then stay in hiding sleeping and eating when he could. Tonight it would be in an old apartment complex where most of the rooms were vacant. The building had been condemned, but some people were staying there anyway. Frank took one more look out the dirty window then lie down on some cardboard. He slept fitfully. Suddenly, he was awakened by the smell of smoke and the sound of screams.

Running from the room, he made it down three flights of stairs and out into a nearby street.

“My baby is still in there!” A woman screamed pointing to a window far above.

Frank looked at where she pointed and ran for the building’s entrance. his lungs burning from the smoke he’d already inhaled. He fought to climb the stairwell. his chest heaving. Reaching the third floor he ran to an apartment. Smoke billowed from the door and into the hallway. Struggling to stay conscious, Frank searched frantically, finally locating a three year old girl hiding in a closet. Grabbing her, he headed for the door, but a huge wall of flame erupted in his face, and he backed away.

“We’re trapped,” Frank thought. He ran to the window. He could hear sirens, but they were still far off. The flames burst into the room.

“Damn!” Frank said knowing what he had to do.

He went to the window pushing it as far open as it would go. Sitting with his back to the exterior he clasped the girl tightly to his chest.

*****

“She’s alive!” A man standing above Frank’s lifeless body said.

Frank had fallen from the window and used his body to cushion the fall for the girl.

*****

Somewhere in a landfill a bulldozer pushed debris into a hole. What was left of Frank’s property, the stuff he’d left behind in his apartment where he’d lived prior to running for his life, was now covered in rubbish. A picture protruded through the filth. It was of Frank when he’d been awarded a meritorious mention for duties performed while working as a police officer many years before.

*****

For what is a person’s worth?