[ WP ] Two male babies are switched at birth . One becomes a heir first born to a millionaire while the other quits college to support his family part of the working class . Only when the hospital recognizes the error 40 years later do the two know .

*changed the ages* 
 20 years later 
 -- 
 
 Allan was always a hard worker; maybe too much of one. He always made sure he made a good impression by showing up early and doing his best. There was not one customer who did not like Allan. 
 
 Allan had perfected a fake smile. 
 
 His day started at 8 am. The pay was shit; it was always shit. But, he had mouths to feed and for that purpose and that one alone. Allan never complained. He didn ’ t bitch about his lazy boss. He didn ’ t cry about feeling undermined at either of his jobs. 
 
 Allan was too busy to feel. 
 
 In the morning he worked at a busy coffee shop dealing with irritable individuals-but Allan never let their attitude affect his. 
 
 The nicer he was, the better the tip. Every dollar counted. 
 
 A 4pm sharp, Allan would run out of the coffee shop. He had to take the two buses to get to his next job. He ’ d eat what was left at the coffee shop on the bus. That way he wouldn ’ t be late. That way the meal was free. 
 
 Around 5:30pm Allan would arrive at his next place of work. He ’ d swallow what was left of his tuna sandwich and speed walk the 15 minutes it took to cross the factory. He had to punch in at 5:50- it looked better to be early, he also had to change out of his black coffee shop uniform. 
 
 Allan didn ’ t work this hard because he didn ’ t know what to do with his life. In fact, he was quite intelligent. He had made it into robotics engineering at his dream college. 
 
 But people tend to judge others wearing a uniform. 
 
 Allan always worked hard. 
 
 Unfortunately, life problems had caused him to withdraw from school and he had gained an even bigger debt. School wasn ’ t cheap after all… even if you quit, you still have to pay up. But, that was just how life was; you couldn ’ t change it, so why complain? 
 
 Quickly, Allen changed into his second uniform and nestled his sore feet into steel-toe boots. He was used to his back being uncomfortable from standing most of the day already. Advil was a cost he levelled as a waste. If he could, he ’ d bum one off his co-worker later. If not, he ’ d just have to endure like he always did. 
 
 Allen lined up behind his coworkers and quickly sunk into a crowd of others, forcing his aching body to move in the same repetitive motion over and over again until midnight. 
 
 -- 
 
 Duke was a spoiled brat. If he wanted something, he ’ d have it. It was always that way, and it forever would be that way. No one wanted to argue with money and Duke had lots of it. 
 
 Piles of it. 
 
 Duke got everything he wanted without even trying for it. He never had to lift a chubby finger. 
 
 As a child; none of his Nanny ’ s wanted to deal with his howling cries and feverish temper tantrums, so as ordered- they ’ d give him the rich chocolates, the best toys and the newest electronics. No one liked taking care of a rotten kid. Not even his parents. They were too busy. 
 
 Why have children then? Well, it was of course to uphold an image. That ’ s all his life was- a painting for the outside world to view in all its glory. They ’ d speak with jealous gossip and envious tongues. 
 
 But, no one bothered to scratch beneath the succulent and vibrant colours. 
 
 Duke didn ’ t ever have any ‘ real ’ friends; most of them were a part of a chess board… like he was. They were ushered across the black and white tiles as much as he was. Duke mirrored their fake emotions. It was all part of the game. 
 
 He had to fit in. 
 
 Their glassy smiles and vacant expression always held something much more sinister; for behind the King was a ravenous wolf. Duke was a pawn facing a lifelong game of chess and as a disposable piece he had to hold his place. 
 Day after day he manoeuvred himself across the board at the will of his Father. He was getting closer to the edge- he was so close now he could see his father ’ s goal. Duke ’ s life sickly revolved the King: his father. 
 
 If Duke ’ s father told him to jump off a bridge, he ’ d do it. There wasn ’ t a choice in the matter. He didn ’ t have a soul of his own. He didn ’ t know how to think for himself after many years of brainwashing. How could he? All the emotions he once had were quickly assassinated. 
 
 Not even money or items made him feel better; Duke still got whatever he wanted- as long as he followed the rules. 
 
 Duke didn ’ t care about himself anymore. 
 
 -- 
 
 A phone call brought the ends of the world together. 
 
 Allan was annoyed he had to take the day off. This would set him back for food- set his family back. His loving mother had been very persistent that he complied. So he did. If this didn ’ t take long, maybe he ’ d still be able to make it to the factory by 6. 
 
 A long bus ride and walk later- Allen found himself at a mansion. His eyes soaked at the glory and a bitter taste started to form in his mouth. 
 Duke on the other hand didn ’ t think about the call. His father had ordered him to be at the house for noon. Without hesitation, Duke excused himself from the meeting and started for the entrance. He climbed into his car. Duke ’ s driver closed the door with a soft thump and hurried towards the mansion. 
 
 When he got there he saw a beautiful woman in her fifties. She was sniffling and wiping her eyes. It wasn ’ t often Duke ’ s family had visitors come into their home- the living room was barely used. 
 
 Visitors usually didn ’ t have feelings. 
 
 His eyes scanned the room to find his father with tight lips. He was angry. His mother on the other hand matched his father ’ s mask and small prick of fear was the first emotion he had felt in many years. For some reason, his heart started to speed and his chest tightened. 
 
 Nothing. Nothing could compare to the furious and wild green eyes burning his way. A thin man in his late twenties was seething with passionate hatred. Duke swallowed his new found emotion and slowly strode forward. 
 Duke watched as the man sat beside the woman but his feral eyes never left his own baby blue ones. He looked like a lion ready to pounce. The room was silent, except for the weeping woman- who refused to look at him. 
 
 As each word fell from his father ’ s clenched jaw- he started to shake. The man across the room was seething and stood up with a loud curse. 
 His whole uneventful life was a lie. 
 
 Before Duke could speak- there were hands around his fat neck. 
 
 The man had leapt at him, grabbing his shirt and pulling him close. Duke ’ s eyes were wide in his skull as he struggled for breath- he could hear the screaming in the background but his eyes were drawn by the impressive emerald fury. 
 
 The grip tightened and a disgusting gasp for air left his swelling lips. No one could pull the crazy man off of him was anyone even trying? His vision was blurring, and the world was starting to spin. Duke didn ’ t even struggle. 
 He didn ’ t care. 
 
 As usual, nor did his parents. 
 It was all part of the plan. 
 Checkmate. 
 
 END. 

