SERVITUDE: Shadows of Princeton

At Princeton School, students are divided into streams: the Elite class and the others. The latter range from Class B to Class E, with Class E being the one everyone dreaded, the one where failure seemed inevitable.

Class E was never a place for studious minds; it had long been resigned to a fate of neglect. Most students slept at their desks while the teacher droned on at the board. Distractions were rife, with some even playing tic-tac-toe behind stacks of books.

Despite the indifference, the teacher never ceases teaching, knowing full well that their efforts were falling on deaf ears. They persevere, teaching even if only one student was listening, for there was no point in hating iron for not being steel – that, and the fat pay check they received kept their mouths running.

Amidst this chaos sits Alice, a stark contrast to her peers. Her notebook, filled with meticulous black characters, was well-used, each page adorned with looped bunny ears. Her pen dancing across the pages, keeping pace with the teacher’s rhythmic utterances.

The bell rang, and only then did Alice lift her head, synchronizing with the teacher’s final words, “Class dismissed.”

The students move with mechanical precision, chairs scraping in unison as they filed out one by one. They descended a few stairs and entered an open-plan restaurant, heads bowed. This was the Elite’s sanctuary.

The canteen-style restaurant featured a massive window overlooking a private garden with fountains and lush greenery. The walls were adorned with abstract art, infusing sophistication into the serene setting. Polished wooden tables were neatly arranged, each graced with a small vase of fresh flowers, adding color and life to the ambiance. Soft, ambient lighting created a warm, inviting atmosphere, contrasting with the bustling energy outside.

Comfortable seating allowed the Elite to relax and unwind. The aroma of gourmet meals, prepared by chefs of top-tier skill, wafted through the air. There was a sense of exclusivity, a haven where the Elite could escape the rigors of their demanding routines, even if only for a brief moment. The gentle sound of water from the fountains provided a soothing backdrop, making it the perfect place for contemplation and respite.

Class E students, now servants, each went to their respective masters, ready to serve. Alice headed straight for Brittany’s table, acutely aware that Brittany’s patience was wearing thin with every passing second. Without meeting her master’s gaze, Alice dropped to her knees on the pristine canteen floor.

She could see Brittany’s polished, buckled school shoes, the socks that went up to her knees, and the slow, impatient ticking of her foot. That foot suddenly struck Alice in the stomach, making her double over in pain.

No one in the canteen showed any shock or surprise. It was just another day in their mundane lives.

“You’re late,” Brittany sneered. “I almost starved because of you. At this rate, I don’t think you are worthy of being a servant—”

Before Brittany could finish, Alice was clutching her shoe, kissing it, and begging for forgiveness. “P-Please, I beg you, young mistress, it will never happen again,” she cried, “Please, spare my life!”

In Princeton, a servant without a master becomes a public slave, subject to disposal by others, who gained credits for this grim task.

Rule 19: A servant without a master must be disposed of.

Rule 20: Disposing of trash is a public responsibility – rewarded with 1 credit.

Suddenly, a gunshot echoes through the room.

Thud.

The body of a slave who had been standing by the wall collapses to the ground - lifeless. Brittany presses the hot barrel of her gun against Alice’s head.

Alice trembled uncontrollably, her heart pounding in her throat. The words of mercy stuck in her oesophagus.