Society

I remember as a young child attending Agrington’s Celestial gathering in our city, a speaker from the Council of Elder Elites lectured on the topic of ’Time Speed Expanse’. In theory, the brightest scientific minds have concluded that time increases as an individual ages. Eventually both the aging subject and the passing of time have become a constant until the individual passes. The whole idea unnerved me as I reflected back onto what the scientists proclaimed. Now, as an adult, I find with each day passing, the hours seem to only grow longer.

Agrington is located in the Stonal System, amongst a large spiral galaxy. Our small planet is the fourth out of seven from our sun. Lush, beautiful forest cover the globe with the exception of the numerous cities carved out among the vast greenery. To preserve privacy within each region, the forests act as a barrier between cities.

I reside in Prinkton Prime. It’s a city filled with towering skyscrapers, dome-shaped buildings and winding air roads which reach one end of the territory to the other. That’s as far as residents are allowed to travel. Each metropolis is overseen by a select number of Elder Elites whose sole purpose is to keep the city running as smooth as possible. The inhabitants are expected to comply with the ordinances and follow set rules; do what you're told to do and nothing else.

Since we're told time speeds up as we age, the method of fast track was implemented many thousands of revolutions ago. The efficient way of living has been conditioned into the lives of Prinkton Prime. The Elder Elites made sure our city would operate like a smoothing running machine, and anything that went against their plans would not be tolerated.

However, I was a man who became bored with my everyday existence. Perhaps it was the endless days of physical labor, the thoughtless process which has become all-too familiar, leaving me feeling complacent. There was little to no excitement at my daily job function. I was subjected to repeat my assignments because I did that particular job so well, and basically, I have become a prisoner of my own skill set.

I was miserable.

Everyone had their own job function and was subjected to perform that very same task every day. If you were good at making cakes, then you made the same cakes every day. If you were mechanically inclined, you were placed in a position where your talents excelled. I was good at construction and putting all the pieces together, so I was the individual who put all the pieces of a building together.

Generations upon generations were conditioned to live this way and life in the city was always fast paced. There was no time to dally and even after work was over in the late afternoon, family time consisted of eating in silence, then conversing on the day's events until bedtime. If you were mated, you copulated upon consent. However, the women were ridged and unemotional, so the times I did mate with women, left me feeling frustrated at best.

Taking matters into your own hands is anything but gratifying, but it's better than nothing at all.

Of course, one can decide to leave the confines of Prinkton Prime, but it comes with a price. You can never return until your ten- revolution quarantine has passed. Visiting family is prohibited so the only form of communication is through telecom. In short, if you traveled to another city and realize their rules and regulations don't suit your needs, then you're stuck in that city for ten revolutions.

Being secluded from other cities makes it impossible to know how another territory is run. So, on very rare occasions an individual will petition to leave Prinkton Prime. Most with important jobs are declined since their contribution to society is a necessary factor. Leaving causes lack of production and leads to lengthy discussions with the Elder Elites. Of course, discussing the very notion of picking up and moving comes with a price.

My parents discussed their discontent regarding their job functions and were considering petitioning to leave Pinkerton Prime. They held important positions within the government, and it was rumored they didn't agree with the Elder Elites on several sanctions. However, on their way home that evening, their air sled lost control and crashed, killing them both on impact. The enforcement never considered the wreck due to tampering of the unit. It was only seen as an unfortunate malfunction.

From that day on, I kept my head down and chose seclusion, from everyone around, except the men and women I worked with on a daily basis. Forced to interact during working hours, I tried to do so as little as possible.

Following the death of Mother and Father, I learned to survive on my own. I was old enough to take on an apprenticeship to a Master Contractor and shortly after I joined the guild. For years I worked under the Master's strict instruction until I was able to be out on my own. Now I'm part of a bigger task force and build towering skyscrapers for the city I despise.

~~~~~~~

At the end of the workday, I rounded the corner hooking my leather satchel around my waist rattling the tools I kept inside. I owned the same bag since I entered the guild and that was ten plus revolutions ago. I suppose I chose to keep the sack for sentimental reasons since it was a gift from my Master when I left his apprenticeship. Since then, it has been an interictal part of my life.

While heading up the dirt trail toward my home I was finally away from the noise of the city and made time to reflect back to my day from the very moment I stood in awe at the magnificent rainbow spanning the western sky to the flock of yellow birds gliding on the winds. Such beauty held me in a peaceful trance. Even in the late afternoon hours the sounds and smells of the forest soothed my soul. It was an interesting day as my thoughts settled on the stranger I met earlier that afternoon.

The stranger who just magically appeared by my side...

It was a long morning, and the crew worked endlessly throughout the hours preparing the base of the complex to hold the weight of the future structure. With our technological advances, the entire construction process ran well into the early afternoon. Once the foundation was secured in its place, the Elder Elites' gong sounded throughout the city announcing the time for the afternoon meal.

Before I took my break, I headed to the lavatory to empty my bladder, clean the dirt off my hands and refill my water flask. The rest of the crew didn’t seem to mind eating with dirty hands and thought it funny that I took careful attention to my hygiene. They never quite understood why I made such a big deal out of my sanitary ways, but then again, these men were also in their own mind set and to them, change wasn't their norm.

That’s when I noticed the stranger staring intently at the structure we were building. With his hands clasped firmly behind his back, he stood with his legs slightly parted and knees just a tad bent. Of course, my coworkers did their best to ignore the stranger, since he was an unfamiliar face and that could only mean accepting change. However, I found the whole thing to be quite amusing. Ignoring glances from my associates, I took my lunch out and made my way over toward the man.

I stood next to him mimicking his stance; legs slightly spread, knees bent with one hand behind my back while the other held onto a slice of bread and cheese. For a moment, we stood in silence, perhaps each of us waiting for the other to break the ice. I began to eat my meal hoping that would show as a sign for the man to initiate the conversation. As if reading my thoughts, he broke the silence.

“When will this structure be completed?” he asked, keeping his eyes glued to the foundation.

I swallowed my food before replying. “About a half revolution or so. As you can see, we’ve only just completed the foundation and the base.” I kept my eyes locked on the construction site.

“A half revolution or so? Wow that's pretty damn quick for such a large structure. Tell me, what will this building become once construction is completed?”

“It will be a rooming complex.” I took another bite from my lunch.

“Ah… I see," was all he said.

Once again, we stood in silence until I decided to embellish more on the subject. “Well, normally rooming complexes are found much closer to the heart of the city; however, the Elder Elites decided to construct a building to be used for individuals to stay in if there ever was a need for emergency housing.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Just a short while ago, there was a fire which burnt out of control consuming several dwellings. Due to the extent of the damage, each family lost everything they owned."

He turned to face me eyes wide. “So where did these families end up staying?”

I bowed my head. “They were forced to live in makeshift shelters until the Elder Elites granted them funds for new homes…” I felt embarrassment for how these families were treated.

“You mean to tell me there were no living accommodations for the families who had lost everything?” His tone was filled with disbelief.

I sighed. “The Elders formally headed an investigation to discover the source of the fire, but during that time, limited accommodations were provided." I was ashamed of the words I spoke; the inhumane treatment of those individuals who gave themselves to the Elder Elites without a second's thought. Once again, the actions of a government-controlled culture reared its ugly head, and I didn't like it one bit. To this day I still couldn’t believe that the Elder Elites would refuse funding until they were satisfied the fire wasn’t due to arson.

"So, no one offered assistance?" The man asked.

"I did," I replied turning toward the man. "I offered to share my home to one of the families…”

“Why do I sense your offer was denied?”

I sighed. “Yes, the Elder Elites rejected my offer."

The stranger narrowed his eyes. “So basically, make these families suffer as opposed to offering them a helping hand?"

“Something like that,” I replied. I was beginning to become uncomfortable with the direction our conversation was taking. Government legislation was something Pinkerton Prime's citizens were forbidden to discuss in public. It was viewed as a challenge to the laws established by the Elder Elites.

The man seemed to sense my unease. “Well regardless of the outcome, it seems as if this rooming complex will be a good alternative… if ever needed."

I was thankful the stranger had some commonsense enough to end our conversation. During the interim of our silence, I finished off the remainder of my food.

He seemed more interested in glancing in my direction.

"So, what part of Prinkton Prime do you live?" I asked.

"Down by the edge of the city on the southern section. I just moved here a short while ago?"

My eyes widened. "You're not Prinkton Prime born?"

He laughed. "Nope. I moved here from the Nextron Sector." He held his hand out palm up. "Quinton."

I placed my hand palm down over his. "Jarrad."

He smiled. "So Jarrad. I take it from your expression that you've lived in Prinkton Prime your entire life?"

"Yes. I don’t live too far from here. Just over the hill and down the trail, into the woods,” I said pointing away from the city.

"I'm surprised a man of your skill set would choose to live further away from the heart of the city," he commented.

I shook my head. "I prefer the quiet of my surroundings."

"Your choice of career contradicts your preferences."

"I had no choice. I was placed with a Master builder."

"No choice?" the man asked.

"When my parents died, I was taken in as an apprentice to learn the builder's trade."

"I'm sorry about your parent's passing." Quinton seemed to be genuine.

"It was a long time ago. I've apprenticed under a great Master..."

"Doing a work function that you're not very fond of," he interrupted.

I looked down at my feet and sighed. "Well sometimes you have to take the good with the bad."

"And what exactly is the good?"

I raised my head and smiled at the man. "Building housing complexes to use if there ever is an emergency."

I found it easy to fall into conversation with the man and for the first time, I might actually enjoy a new friendship. He seemed to understand when to change a subject and avoid possible trouble from the Elder Elites.

"So, what made you move to Prinkton Prime?" I asked.

"Change of scenery," he replied matter of factly.

"Was it an easy transition?

"Smooth without complication." The man smiled.

I found that hard to believe since the cities were designed to put an individual through a mountain of tests before getting settled in.

"Well, you have ten revolutions to become adjusted to Prinkton Prime."

"Oh, I'm not staying that long." Once again, he replied without a care in the world.

My eyes widened. "Do you know something I don't know?" I remarked.

"Why, are you looking to leave Prinkton Prime?" he asked.

His question threw me off guard. I quickly looked around my surroundings to make sure no one overheard our conversation. I turned back to face him. "That's easier said than done," was my reply.

"Not if you know the right person."

I raised my vertical brow ridges in surprise. "Well... that's something we don't discuss in this city."

"Why not?" Aren't you tired of living by senseless rules?"

"Well, it's not like I haven't thought about it before..."

"Then why don't you leave?" The man suggested.

The expression on my face must have ranged from surprise to shock to excitement. Before I could answer Quinton roared out in laughter causing even more creases in his weathered face. “Did I say something to shock you, Jarrad?” he asked, referring to my stunned face.

“No... Well yes... Well maybe... Well..." I was at a loss for words. I felt like a blathering idiot.

The man clapped me on the back. “Speak up Jarrad. What is it, yes or no?” he asked again still chuckling.

I shook my head quickly trying to collect my thoughts. “It’s both yes and no. No... Yes... you took me off guard because I’ve never met anyone who felt that way before, and yes because I’ve felt that way plenty of times."

His eyes widened as he placed his hands on his hips. “Well, well, well, I guess there's a first time for everything."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I thought I was alone in my thoughts. It's a pleasure meeting someone who wants change rather than follow rules blindly."

I raised my hand to stop him. "Wait a minute! I said I've thought about it not that I'm going to do anything about it."

"What's the difference? Don't tell me you've thought about change but hesitant to do anything about it."

The Elder Elites had eyes and ears everywhere and were privy to such thoughts. One just doesn't get up in the morning and choose to move. There's a process which needs to be followed.

As if he could read my mind, Quinton continued. “Tell me Jarrad, if you have such a yearning for change, what are you doing building rooming complexes instead of traveling the far lengths of this planet?"

"There's rules and regulations to follow. I just can't pick up and leave. There are procedures in place..."

"Sounds to me you're making up excuses..."

That comment hit home harder than I thought. It was like the man was reading my mind and knew me better than I knew myself.

Sensing my internal turmoil, he placed a hand on my shoulder. "I bet you’ve never had the courage to leave Prinkton Prime, have you?” he asked, keeping his eyes glued to mine.

“No, I haven’t, and I haven't had the courage to make that decision."

“How strong is your yearning for change?” This was a personal question, and once again it took me off guard, but then again all he said took me by surprise.

I lifted my eyes to him. “I long for the day when I’ve had enough, and I can choose to live my life by my terms."

“So, tell me what’s keeping you? other family?”

“I have no family,” I was quick to reply.

“Then it must be the love of a woman that makes you stay. Am I right?” he inquired, prying deeper into my personal business.

“There is no woman to keep me here. There has never been a woman who truly understands my needs,” I replied turning my attention from the man.

I waited for his response, but instead the man turned to face the construction site. Perhaps he figured the choices were my own to be made and he had done enough preaching for the day. Together we stood in silence, until he spoke again.

“It gets lonely without someone to spend your life with. Wouldn't it be nice if you were to meet someone who is nothing like anyone you have ever known before?"

I raised my head and smiled. "It would be very nice."

"Jarrad, there are endless possibilities available to you if you truly want change." Then on an afternote he added, "If given the chance, would you take advantage of such a life change? he asked as he turned his head in my direction.

I was unable to tell if he was serious, or just teasing me. Without hesitation I replied. “I’d welcome such a chance.” I figured I had nothing to lose. I had already exposed too much about myself and knew I spoke with the stranger for too long for others to witness.

With a sigh, I held out my hand palm facing upwards to the man, which he placed his palm down on top of my hand. “It was nice to make your acquaintance Quinton. As much as I would like to continue this conversation, I must be getting back to work. Perhaps you and I could talk some more?” I asked, hoping that he wasn′t disappointed in my self-doubts. Instead, he clapped my back.

“I would enjoy that very much Jarrad,” he replied.

As I began to head back to work, the man called out to me. “Take that leap of faith. Jarrad and get out of the same routine you're in!” He shouted the last part for which I quickly looked around for fear that someone would hear the stranger.

He laughed and continued his thought. “Jarred, there is nothing wrong with wanting to change things up, regardless of what the consequences might be.”

“Yes, but then there’s no going back," I replied loudly.

“That’s the fun part. You’re tired of this place, it’s time for a new challenge. Besides with your skills, I’m sure you’ll get by easily.”

The man spoke without apprehension, and I felt encouraged to comply. As much as I’ve become comfortable with my everyday life, I knew it was time for something to change.

I climbed the small slope to join the team, turning once more to wave farewell, but when I did so, the man was gone. Puzzled, I scratched my head. How did he leave so quickly...

I silently scolded myself for exposing my fear of the unknown, to a complete stranger and attempted to ease my mind with the probability that I would never see the man again. But no matter how I tried to convince myself that my yearning for change was justified, I was still annoyed.

As I reflected back to my conversation with Quinton, I was left with a feeling of emptiness. Was he a spy for the Elder Elites? (Yes, that thought did cross my mind.) But with the exception of a few of my coworkers lecturing about talking to strangers, I was left alone for the duration of my workday. No one came to haul me away for reconditioning, no one watched me from afar.

So as the evening gong sounded the end of another day’s work, I stowed away my tools in my sack and quickly made my way out of the confines of the city. My mind was buzzing with numerous thoughts that I almost felt drained by the time I reached my home.

That's where I noticed something on my doorstep.

Glancing around my surroundings, I ventured carefully up the rock stairs. My heart quickened its pace slightly for fear that I was to fall victim to a trap set by the Elder Elites. Turning my head in every direction, I was relieved to discover I was alone. Standing on the stoop, I bent over and picked up what seemed to be a small sphere. It was smooth to the touch and had no beginning and no end. It was a perfect sphere that fit in the palm of my hand.

"What are you?" I asked out loud as if the object could understand and answer my question.

Upon closer examination, I noticed strange markings on the surface. They were etched so small as they melded into the smooth surface. I could only gather that it was some alien language which left me even more intrigued than before. Once again, I rolled the sphere over my palm when suddenly I felt a slight vibration. In a panic, I tried to toss the object, but it remained in my hand as if fastened there. No matter how much I tried to shake the object free, it remained glued to my hand.

I was panic stricken; I didn't know what to do. I was unable to open my sack and grab a tool, to pry the object free, as it was tied to my waist and away from my grasp. I continued to frantically wave my hand to free myself from the small sphere when I felt the object move and slowly open up. A dim light shone from inside the sphere, and I was entranced by its soft glow. As I continued to gaze into the small opening, I was struck by a blinding light that enveloped me spreading over my very being.

Frozen on the spot, the sphere emitted a few low beeps and in one swift motion, the light became so bright, I was unable to see my surroundings and felt myself being whisked away from my door stoop in a blink of an eye.

***Here's Chapter 1 of Society. I am planning on trying to upload chapters each week. Hope you enjoy!

Peace S. Ramm