I arrived first at the entrance door. I slid it open.
The room was already full. I started walking down from the same corridor and found my seat. A Drop of water fell with each step.
They were watching.
Of course they were.
Being different always draws attention.
I sat down and slid down my card.
"Bzzt...Try again."
I looked at my card. Wet.
I wiped the card on my clothes. It's finally dry now.
I slid my card again.
"518 is here."
I leaned back and closed my eyes. Just for a moment. My breathing was still uneven because of the action.
Voices and footsteps faded. The silence took Over.
...
"220 is here."
A sharp sound. I opened my eyes.
"Late." I said.
"Late for you." She responded with a cold tone.
A pause.
"So I dont care."
Her tone was not like before. Like something had changed.
She leaned to her seat and closed her eyes. And tilted her head like always.
I shifted my gaze towards the woman as she arrived at the top.
Bang, bang, bang
The room went silent as she began hitting her desk with a hammer. 220 somehow didn't opened her eyes.
"Enough. Meeting is starting. Any questions before it starts?'
Perfect. It's my chance.
I raised my hand confidently.
"You may speak, participant 518."
"Why is it so cold in here?" I asked.
A few heads turned.
The woman didn't react immediately.
Then--
"To preserve the food." She said with a calm voice.
I frowned.
"That's excessive for storage."
The woman looked straight into my eyes.
"It's efficient."
Then she turned away.
"Next. Any questions?"
10 second had passed.
Woman sighted. Then spoke,
"From now on, systems communication will be handled throught the interface."
A brief pause.
"Each of you access to it."
Murmurs spread across the room.
"It's installed on the laptops in your rooms. You'll use it for messages and point management. Also system request will be handled in here."
She paused for a second.
"You can check it when you return."
Silence. Then-
She shifted her gaze across the room and started writing something.
"That's enough for now." She said.
"Let's begin."
The sliding screen lit up above. And 10 numbers appeared on the screen.
"General speakers. Step onto podium when called."
No one dared to move.
I read the names as they appeared.
...
002 stepped forward first.
''Good morning,'' he said. ''My system role is speaker. My social role is justice advocate. I wat to address a flaw in our system. Criminals--especially minors--are treated with unnecessary empathy. Justice should be equal. No exceptions.''
He stepped back
''Accepted.'' the woman said. ''Return to your seat.''
A brief pause.
''Summarizers will take notes after every speech. conclusion writers will work with them to produce a resolution paper.''
No questions.
''Next.''
552 walked up.
''I'm a silent participant,'' he said. ''Why was I called?''
''Random selection ignores roles,'' the women replied.
552 hesitated.
''...I hope this meeting goes well.''
silence.
Then--
Bang, bang, bang.
''Rejected. Next.''
552 stepped down.
369 moved quickly to the podium.
''I'm responsible for education.'' he said. ''And the current system is flawed. Education shouldn't be student escape from. It should be engaging, social by activities beyond classes.''
He didn't stop.
''I also call on public service, agriculture, and health roles. We need a free and safe food system.''
He stepped down.
Too fast.
''Accepted,'' the woman said. ''Slow down next time.''
686 walked up. His expression was tight.
''I will expose every hidden role holder.''
A shift in the room.
220 opened her eyes.
''They have privileges,'' 686 continued. ''Why don't we?''
A hand slammed against a table .
''I object. You are putting targets on people's backs. For what--3000 points? That's reckless.''
The administor stepped in.
''This is allowed,'' she said. ''Hidden role holders are responsible for their own discretion. If they are exposed, that's their failure.''
Silence.
686 didn't hesitate.
''I'm forming a group. Founders. We will locate them. Anyone interested can contact me through the interface.''
That was the moment the room changed.
''Accepted,'' the woman said.
There was something almost amused in her voice.
686 stepped down.
Eyes followed him.
164 walked up next.
''I oppose that,'' she said. ''Exposing roles creates instability. I don't care about points. I won't support removing someone for that.''
She didn't look at 686.
''I'm forming a counter group. Founders killers. If you're against this, contact me.''
Now she looked.
686 met her gaze and both stared at each other with full hatred.
''Accepted.''
The tension didn't drop.
It sharpened.
...
The remaining speakers finished.
Most were forgettable.
Some supported 369's idea. Agriculture. Health.
It didn't matter.
The damage was alredy done.
First groups had formed. Lines were drawn.
The woman stood up.
''Lunch break has begun. One hour and twenty minutes.''
Chairs moved and voices grew louder.
As soon as stood up, 220 spoke.
''Cafeteria A. Back table.''
A pause.
''Be there.''
She stood up And began to walk up hastily.
I followed.
Then I noticed. A strip of cloth pressed tight against her palm.
But it wast't enough.
A dark line slipped through the fabric.
Fresh. Still moving.
I watched it for a few seconds.
Most people's bleeding would've stopped by now.
This didn't
...
Strange.