Pittsburgh South District, Crawford Pharmacy.
The early morning fog had not yet lifted, but a long line had already formed at the entrance.
The line was quiet and orderly.
This was thanks to two security guards standing by the door, clad in uniforms bearing the "Mutual Aid Alliance" logo.
They were powerfully built, and the crackle of static occasionally hissed from the walkie-talkies at their waists.
A conspicuous red poster was taped to the pharmacy's glass door.
It had only two lines of bold, black text:
This location only provides services to members holding a "Rust Belt Health Mutual Aid Card."
Non-members, please do not line up.
At the very front of the line, Old Jack tremblingly pulled a dark red card from his coat and passed it through the window.
"Two vials of insulin glargine," Old Jack said.
The pharmacist behind the counter skillfully took the card, swiped it on the reader, and the facial recognition went through.
BEEP.
