Bad News at Harlow Foods

Helen Bryant is the boss of Harlow Foods. Today she talks to the reporters. “We close one of our three factories at the end of the year,” she says. She looks sad.

A reporter asks, “Why do you close the Marsh Road factory?” “It is the oldest factory,” Helen says. “It costs a lot of money.”

Another reporter asks, “How many people work there?” “About two hundred,” Helen says. “They can work in the other two factories.”

Mark Doyle, a worker, stands up. “You do not listen to the workers!” he says. “Study the plan with us.” Helen does not give a date, but she says, “We meet next week.”

Helen leaves. Outside, the workers wait. Nobody talks. One man says, “Twenty-two years in this factory! What do I tell my children?”