It was inevitable that the boys would learn about the loansharks soon...
Isaac and Birger were sitting outside the office, where inside Grandpa and the Eye's accountant were trying to negotiate the loans...
Isaac was tapping his foot while having an irritated expression on his face. While Birger was sitting his arms crossed, a concerned look on his face.
After what seemed like hours, Grandpa and Mr. Milton outside, a small stack of papers in his hands. Isaac and Birger immediately stood up and approached them.
"Grandpa? What happened?!?!" Both of them blurted out at the same time.
Grandpa was silent...and just looked down in shame... and walked forward, so they looked at Mr. Milton for answers.
"They're...not willing to negotiate...they'll push the date only if we can pay half of the loan...and well...we don't have enough assets to pay the half while getting to keep the Civic Eye..." said Mr. Milton.
"What? What does that mean?" Asked Birger, while Isaac seemed to have realised it..."...No..."
"We'll have to sell the main building of the Civic Eye, we can keep the printing press so...we could make some money off that...but otherwise...The Civic Eye Magazine will be closed." Revealed Mr. Milton.
Isaac and Birger were shocked into silence...as they walked back home.
The atmosphere at home was...grim, silent...heavy...like someone had died.
Isaac and Birger were sitting alone.
"How...why? Why can't they hold off the loan, I know copies are being sold less, but...but...why?" Asked Birger.
"This is just how it is...our lives are spent paying off loans..." said Isaac.
"But...but..." stuttered Birger.
"Basically...the rich have created a system... where the poor spend their lives paying off debts...and the rich get richer. And being middle class like us is worse...because nobody gives a fuck about us...we're not the middle class...we're the middle finger class." Said Isaac as he pulled up his middle finger.
"It just...makes me mad..." muttered Birger.
"C'mere, bro...I think you need a hug." Said Isaac, as Birger leaned in and gave him a tight hug.
As the released the hug, Grandpa came out of his room.
"You two... go get some sleep...tomorrow...I'll pen my last editorial." Said Grandpa in a sad tone.
"Okay...Grandpa...Birger...let's go." Said Isaac as Birger followed him to their room.
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Grandpa was adjusting his glasses, as he looks at the blank piece, his hands shaking as he clutched his pen and began to write.
"The difference between Rebellion and Revoltion is that if you lose, its a Rebellion, and if you succeed, its a revolution. To the readers of this magazine, who spent their hard earned money on this, I have to say, that you all have the ability to bring about a revolution, no matter how small or how big, you have that ability...so remember...
Keep that revolutionary fire stoked as long as you can".