The World We Make (Great Cities #2)

by N.K. Jemisin

Veneza’s on her phone, and her video keeps jolting wildly because she’s in the middle of helping Yijing and the other Bronx Art Center staff with an installation. “Uh, I don’t know how I can help,” she says, out of breath after moving a crate. “I got a job, yo, and Bronca’s actually paying me good money for a change. Check it: I got a retirement fund now. And real, actual health insurance. Look at me, livin’ the not-dying-of-preventable-diseases dream! Anyway, what am I gonna do, answer phones and reposition art for you?” “You have a whole degree,” Bronca reminds her. “In, uh, computer art—” “Digital design, oh my God, it has alliteration and everything, why can’t you ever remember it? Old B.” Bronca rolls her eyes. Still, she knows Veneza: the girl is thinking harder about what she can contribute. “Do you do freelance work?” Brooklyn asks. “I could use a better… everything.” She glances at a nearby sign and sighs as if she, too, finds the logo awful. “I need graphics, online ads, the works.” “Oh. Huh. Yeah, sure. Never done print design before but I know some folks I can hit up for tips. You don’t have people for that already, though?”