I really enjoyed this one. The 'work' reference didn't jump out at me, and my cyncism inferred that the darkest, crueler aspects of the story must be associated. I'll send my guess through to you privately.
On another note, the following gave me pause:
'capitalism: supply chains and staff sheets, dye numbers and blood diamonds, electricity bills, training regimes, ad campaigns, lunch breaks, harassment policies, debt.'
I thought it would have been interesting if one of the listed elements hinted to his character, his grievance and deeper issues; hinting at what fundamentally disturbs him but we are the reader can only infer.
When I read the passage, I gave debt - the last word on the list - greater emphasis and thought "what if you change the listing, and how does that impact the feel?". As it stands, I gathered it highlights his detachment from the intangible world and his inability to experience emotive or abstract depth in his surroundings. Though, later, I felt the story contradicted that thought as he clearly emphasises with the kangaroo at a deeper level. Definitely something for me to think about.
