The RISE & Fallout

April 22, 2123

“You failed Miss.” The examiner looked up from his clipboard; his eyes had a hint of sadness or pity. I couldn’t tell, nor did I care at that moment. The exam room seamed to shrink around me. The muted gray tile floor stood out in stark contrast to the dark blue striped walls. The soft glow of a computer screen lit up the little room. I suddenly felt so cold.

“Excuse me?” I could hardly get the words out. “There must be a mistake.”

“If you would like, we can send in a counselor to aid you in dealing with the results… The director of human resources should be along shortly.” He paused looking at me quizzically. His body language had shifted. He seamed uncomfortable, you could tell he hated this part. “Would you like the counselor to come in?” he asked again.

My tongue felt so heavy but I managed to utter “No”. I barely noticed as he slipped out the door and left. I felt relived that I was alone, I needed to calm down. I had failed the parenthood eligibility exam. I would not be allowed to have a family. I could re-test but I didn’t even know how that worked. They always assured us in school that we would pass. It was guys who usually failed. Most of them chose to join the guard or found jobs while waiting to re-test, some never re-testing. I tried to recall the last time a female had been failed the exam. I’d heard stories living in the dorms, during secondary school. Would this change my job assignment? I had spent years devoting my life to learning my chosen career. I’d picked it because that sector had a lot of jobs opening in the near future. The need for teachers was growing in demand. It was that or go to the fields, labors were always needed. I’d also picked it hoping to push my stats up so I could have better partner matches. It was often pushed to follow your heart. More often then not people choose a career or partner who worked in one of the better colonies like education, farming, and medicine. The oil fields of West-Texas and the factories in the south always seamed to have jobs, thought it was never a guarantee. Those left job less and often homeless joined the guard. Some were cast out to one of the fallout zones that bordered what was left of the states after the bombs fell in 2045- I heard a slight knock at the door before it opened. A guard entered followed by a short man in a stiff gray suit letting the door close behind them. The look on his face, all scrunched up as if he was trying not to smile. Beady brown eyes scanned the room stopping at me. You could just tell he enjoyed his job way to much. I could almost feel his eyes assessing me. It was barley audible but a faint “humph” slipped out as he shifted his eyes down to the briefcase in his hand. Something about him made my go nerves on edge. Calm. Breath. Focus. I thought to my self. Emotional control was something they looked for in determining motherhood. It all seamed pointless now.

"Good morning Miss… ah. Yes, here it is Miss Collins." Papers rustled back and forth as he tried to juggle the briefcase he’d opened. Finding the ones he needed, he walked over to the examiners desk and began laying them all out.

“I am Mr. Beetle” he said. I tried not to laugh but he must have heard me, his eyes darted up.He sat down at the little desk the chair was to small for his plump shape. “This is not funny in any way, shape, or form; Miss” his tone showed he was completely serious. Yet his face accurately matched his name. Not giving me a chance to respond his eyes fell back to the pages in front of him.

I peeked up at the guard. His face seamed emotionless. He had seen and heard this speech a million times. Why he was here? Mr. Beetle was starring at me and had stopped reading. I realized I’d made a mistake in letting my mind wonder. Control thoughts and emotions we are not animals rule 76 or something no wonder I’d failed. “I’m very sorry Mr. Beetle please accept my sincerest apologies to you at this time. I believe I am still in a state of shock over my results.” Respecting your elders rule 22

“Just try to pay attention miss” he sounded irritated.

He started over almost rushing through the beginning. “Can you first please verify that you are Amy Collins aged 22 born April 23rd 2103?

“Yes” I stammered.

“Miss Collins you had previously selected

Educator as you career- Job preferred elementary school teacher?? However because of your non- eligibility status and the career you chose involves children. We felt it would be in your best interest if you reconsider. Upon further review it has been determined that Miss Collins will have one year from today date to live in the temporary housing for others…” he looked up at me then “like you.”

The guard in the corner shifted. He didn’t like the tone Mr. Beetle had used. He too had been right where I sat at one point in time. Everything I had dreamed of having, my own family. Everything id wanted in life had been taken. It had always been that way. I tried to shake the thoughts that had begun to race in my mind. Mr. Beetle had stopped for only a moment as he found the next document on the desk completely ignoring us both. I slipped in and out for the next few minutes responding but not really paying him much attention. For years after my parents died I felt so alone. They died during an incident in the oilfields when I was young. All I had left to my name when they died was a heart shaped locket my mother had left me and a few pairs of clothes. I had grown up as an orphan. It didn’t matter much when I was old enough to be sent to the academy. Every child goes to live in Education Housing at the age of nine. Id spent two years at the temporary house before I was sent to school. The thought of going back now seamed unbearable. The sound of Mr. beetles voice brought me back to the present.

“In a few weeks time you will be given options …you may be eligible for a retest at a later date. . . If you have not found housing or work within one year of today’s date. We will have no choice but to take necessary action. Do you, understand Miss Collins.? He added extra emphasis on the last part.

I knew better than to ask what that necessary action would be. I responded as calmly as I could. “Yes. I do.”

Suddenly Mr. Beetle stood up. He started gathering the papers from the desk neatly placing a few in pile and the rest back in his briefcase. He walked over to where I sat the computer screen still showing the ending page of the exam. “These contain information and contacts you might need” he said, handing me the papers. He turned and left not looking back.

The top paper was a pamphlet on grief and loss. I didn’t know how much longer I could keep my self from crying. I had to get out of this room. I needed air . I realized then the guard was still in the room. His head was down, just standing in the corner waiting. I stood up to leave and he started to follow. I faced him then. It wasn’t that we weren’t allowed to talk to them, it was just frowned upon. Most guards had failed or had chosen to become one forsaking the right to parenthood. I could never understand why someone would make that choice. I looked him up an down. Had he willingly given it up or had the choice been taken from him too.

“’I’m sorry miss …This-” he’d started to say more but I cut him off.

His presence annoyed me. I turned to leave. I wasn’t sure where I was going but I had to get out of the building. I yanked the door open and was about to step into the hall when I felt him grab my arm, and forcefully pull me back into the room. He relaxed his grip on my arm but didn’t let go. Answering my question without me having to ask it. “In case a citizen is unhappy with the results of the final exam and he or she decides to act in any way, shape, or form that could injure them selves or other citizens of the colonies. They will be immediately detained and or executed. Until such time as you are deemed no longer a threat you will be under our supervision. Is that understood?” he asked it, as if it were a question but I had no choice.

“So what you’re like my babysitter?” I was so not ready for this to happen today.

“Miss Collins, are you going to allow me to explain what is about to happen or do I need to call in extra security. You don’t want to be seen as difficult right now. That will go on your record for your review… if… you make it that far. Cooperation is in your best interest at this time.” He let my arm fall from his grip and continued his speech. “At this time your belongings are being moved from your current residence to one of the temporary houses. For the next week you will have a guard with you at all times to ensure the safety of all citizens. Do you understand?” He asked, his eyes never leaving mine….

Written By A.S.L.M