Huma-Chicks

By Moe


Chapter 1 - Recruitment

“Hello young ladies.  I am Dr. Richard Taylor and I am the Chief Development Officer at the HumaFoods at our food production and research facility in North Junction, Montana.  Next to me is my assistant Ms. Jane Gregory.”  Thus began the introduction to a group of eight young girls between the ages of 14 and 16.  These girls were among a group of about three dozen young girls that opted for working on a farm for eight weeks during the summer months rather than stay in a juvenile correction facility in the city.  All had been in trouble with the law and were serving their sentences of several months to several years or longer.  Many of the girls actually liked working on the farm and enjoyed the experiences of taking care of the farm animals.  Of course, there were some that just wanted a change of scenery or even thought they could escape easily from the farm (but found out they were wrong).  The girls stayed in a bunker facility during their stay at Rejuvenation Farm and worked long days feeding, cleaning and caring for the livestock or in some cases growing and caring for the corn, hay, vegetables and other produce.  The summer term was nearly over when the specially selected girls were invited to hear the offer from Dr. Taylor.

“You have been specially selected by me to receive a unique offer for a long term employment opportunity in food production at HumaFoods.  Because of the confidential nature of our development programs, I cannot tell you many specific details of what you will be doing at this time.  I can tell you that your work will be on the cutting edge of new food production science and technology.  In addition, I can guarantee you that you will have lifetime employment with full healthcare benefits, all your needs taken care including financial, cultural, educational and social.  You will not have to go back to regular public schools ever again since we will take care of all the training you will need to be successful in your new jobs.”  Although the eight chosen girls did show appreciation for nature, working at the farm and caring for animals, that was not the main reason they were selected.  All of them had been homeless or orphaned, wards of the state, in and out of foster care and now had juvenile records and detention time.  They were pretty much unwanted and had dim prospects for a good future.  Dr. Taylor knew that most if not all the girls would jump at the opportunity he was offering them.

“If you decide you would like to become a member of HumaFoods Inc. and participate in our development program, your remaining time at the Juvenile Corrections Center will be waived and you will start working for us at the end of the week.  I will hand out application forms, employment contracts and questionnaires for you to complete, sign and return to me if you decide to join us.  I can tell you that in the seven years we have been running this program, not one participant has asked to leave our company.”  After distributing the packets of papers, he asked, “Are there any questions?”

A few arms went up in the air.  “If I sign up, how long do I have to stay with HumaFoods?”

“Good question.  The contract states that you must stay with us for a minimum of five years.  That may seem like a long time but like I said, no one so far has ever asked to leave yet.  Next.”

“Do we live right on the farm or what?”

“Yes, since the production facility is quite remote, almost everyone lives at the facility in their own living quarters and especially our newest members of the food production team which we hope you will be joining.  Next question.”

A girl in the back row asked “How much time do we have to decide whether we want to join HumaFoods or not?”

“Unfortunately, you only have until tomorrow morning.  If you decide to become a participant, Ms. Gregory and I will need a few days to review and then process your paperwork with the state so that they will release you to our custody.  If anyone is thinking they will join the program and then try to escape, forget that right now.  Because of the secrecy of our development work, we have very high security mainly to keep people out.  However, it is very effective in keeping people in as well.  If you should manage to escape, a warrant will be issued for you immediate arrest and return to incarceration.  Please think of this as a great opportunity for you to advance in life.”  There were at least a dozen more questions before everyone felt they knew what they needed about the employment program.

“Remember, I need all your completed paperwork by 9:00 am tomorrow if you want to join the HumaFoods.  I will be staying here for a little while longer so if you want to ask more questions, please come and talk with me.  Because of the secret nature of the program and our work, please do not talk about this opportunity with the other girls who were not invited to participate.”  

The girls talked excitedly amongst themselves and many asked more questions before they slowly headed out and returned to their dorm rooms for the evening.  They had a big lifetime decision to make and very little time to do it.

The next morning, Dr. Taylor and Jane were working in the visitor’s office when the first young girl showed up.  She handed the package of papers in and said she was really looking forward to a new life.  Before the hour was up, Dr. Taylor received seven more packages.  He had never done this well before and was elated.  The next big job was to go through the applications and make sure they wanted to accept everyone that had applied.  Sometimes it turned out that there were family ties or close important contacts that could raise questions if a girl were to appear to vanish mysteriously.  Two of the applicants did have to be eliminated due to ongoing relationships with aunts and uncles.

In the afternoon, the eight girls reconvened with Dr. Taylor and Jane Gregory.  The two girls with familial relationships were informed that they were not accepted for the program and were very disappointed and even started crying before being dismissed.  The remaining six were as excited as could be at the prospect of starting a new life in Montana with a real job and future.  The girls were told to be ready to leave at the end of the week early on Saturday morning for a two day ride to the facility by van.  They could only bring one suitcase with their belongings since everything else they would need would be furnished by the company.

Early the next morning, Dr. Taylor headed for the airport so he could travel back to HumaFoods in Montana to get ready for his new recruits.  In the meantime, Jane cleared all the custody paperwork with the state so the girls could leave.  The state was all too happy to have HumaFoods to be responsible for the girls and offer them an opportunity with a future.  It didn’t hurt to know that the girls would be taken to another state saving the taxpayers some money as well.

Saturday morning arrived quickly and Jane and her six new recruits were ready to leave for the new frontier.