What happens when capacity outlives demand.

Every Tuesday, Frank got up early.

Not heroic early.

Train timetable early.

One hour on the train.

Then, twenty minutes on the tram.

Same seat if he got there in time.

Mildly annoyed if someone else beat him to it.

He could tell a good story.

Frank travelled across the city to a soup kitchen.

He remembered names.

He listened properly, even when he’d heard the story before.

He laughed easily and knew when to stop talking, a rare skill, and one the soup kitchen quietly relied on.

He chatted with the other volunteers.

Served soup.

Wiped benches.

Stacked chairs.

Then he packed up and did the same trip home.

Every Tuesday.