COACH: Sergio, Hey! Wait up!
SERGIO: Oh, hey coach ...
COACH: I'm glad I caught you. Do you have a few minutes to talk before class starts?
SERGIO: Uhh, ok.
COACH: We missed you again at practice yesterday, and I didn't see you at school the past couple of days ...
... is everything ok?
SERGIO: Yeah, I was just working. Sorry I missed practice again.
COACH: That's ok, I figured you might've been working. Miss Fisher was asking about you as well. We're just worried.
Well, about your work, we didn't get to finish our last conversation. Do you mind if I ask you a few more questions?
SERGIO: ... Ok, I guess.
COACH: You mentioned that you 'kind of' get paid for all the work you do ... what did you mean by that?
SERGIO: Well I do get paid, but the money goes back to my auntie and uncle 'cause I owe them ...
COACH: So you owe your auntie and uncle? For what?
SERGIO: Well they helped me come over here, and they let me stay with them and their family ...
... and eat their food. So I owe them for all of that.
COACH: Ok, but does that mean you can’t stop working, or you won't get any money until you finish paying them what you owe?
SERGIO: Yeah, kind of.
COACH: And how long will that be?
SERGIO: I don't know.
COACH: That doesn't sound right, Sergio. You should be able to keep the money that you earn. You know there are labor laws in this country, right? And what does your family back home think?
SERGIO: I don't know, I haven't spoken to them in a while.
COACH: Does your auntie and uncle ever say that they'll do things to your family back home, if you don't work? Or do they hurt you?
SERGIO: Why are you asking me all these questions, man? I don't wanna talk about it!
Hey coach, can I come in? I'm sorry about before, I didn't mean to yell. I -
COACH: Yes, please come in. And I'm the one who's sorry ...
... I didn't mean to upset you or give you a hard time. I was just trying to understand what's going on.
SERGIO: Yeah, I know. But there's nothing you can do. There's nothing anyone can do.
COACH: I know it might feel that way, Sergio, but believe me, things can get better. Your situation sounds tough. I want to make sure you’re ok and not being taken advantage of. Can we go talk to the school counselor? I’m no expert in these things. But he might be able to link us with some services that can help.
