19th century—WORKHOUSE

[choose gender, names, appearance...]
Hard times. People were forced to live in slums. Children were taken from an early age to work in factories, mines, and other heavy industries. But soon the factories began to close, and there was less work for ordinary people.
Choice: Either the street or the workhouse.
Many people ended up in workhouses, a kind of prison: strict discipline reigned in workhouses, punishment was imposed for misbehavior, and conditions were harsh. In exchange for shelter and meager food, people were required to work according to a set schedule.
Anyone could end up in a workhouse: an orphan, an unemployed person, pregnant women who were left without husbands...
Of course, you didn't want to end up on the street... But maybe you'll get lucky? Maybe everything won't be so bad?

Nineteenth century, hard times. Workhouse.