The Pizza Maker was about to set out on his ... quest ... when he realized something. Could he really do it alone? Maybe he needed some help, a sidekick so-to-speak? And thus he began his search, taking off on his bike, after all, cars were not a luxury anymore, they were relics. With no gas for the cars (seeing as the companies, every single one was gone), driving cars was not only senseless, but impossible after their tank was empty. His journey to find a partner took him to every corner of the country, he called in favors, he looked everywhere he could think of.

Disheartened, the Pizza Maker started back home. He pedaled his bike from a nearby hotel, after weeks of travel, a few hours from the town. Upon reaching the city limits, he dismounted the bicycle, walking down the streets, eyes on the ground.

Well, I guess I'm all alone. He mused miserably. He was so buried in his melancholy, he almost never heard the calling voice from the other side of the street.

"HEY! HEY THERE!" A young man called from his post in front of the Theatre. Oh, the kid. Probably just wants me to pay to see whatever movie they're showing. Waste of time, I have more important things to do. He thought bitterly, this trip had wasted enough time. "Hey! Sir! Pizza Maker-"

"Listen, Ticket Taker, not now, alright? It's been a long day." He called out, not making eye contact with the adolescent.

"What?" He muttered confused.

"I'm not interested in what-ever movie they've got showing tonight."

"No, no, it's not about a movie! Where've you been?" The Pizza Maker froze. What? Had he heard correctly?

"Wait, what?" The Pizza Maker questioned, thoroughly confused.

"You've been gone for weeks. Left without a word. I was just wondering if everything was okay."

"Well, as okay as it can b-" Again, the Pizza Maker had to stop himself. The Ticket Taker. He noticed the Pizza Maker's absence. No one else seemed to care who left or drifted into town. This Ticket Taker... he ... cared. Maybe he could... "Say, I was out of town looking for something. Maybe you can help me."

"Sure, business is slow today. As soon as I get off duty, I'll come over, alright?"

And so it was that the Ticket Taker became the partner the Pizza Maker needed. The seemingly apathetic, adolescent employee who appeared to do nothing more than print tear and hand over small shreds of paper, surprised him with his interest in politics, the economy and most of all, the prospect of improving the destitute state of the nation.