Life Unnormal

by Jill Caplin

  22

  Extra Shift

  A few weeks later, a Supervisor finally told Tessa to report to the Office of Union on the outskirts of the dorms before her morning shift. She walked inside a small office, and a tall, blond, female office worker directed Tessa to another room. Inside the room, she saw Aden sitting there at a small table and sat next to him. They smiled at each other.

  A chubby, stout man with a goatee in a tan suit walked inside the room. He carried with him a portable scanner and an electronic pad. He sat across from Aden, scanning Aden’s eye first and then mine.

  “You two are now eligible for a Union so the application will be processed. Once the paperwork for the apartment has been approved, the Union will be approved.”

  “Is that how all this goes? How long does the process last, sir?” Tessa asked.

  “We tell couples about two months. You cannot have a Union without an apartment, right?”

  “You’re right,” Aden agreed.

  “You’ll both be notified when the paperwork for both is approved.”

  “What happens after that?” Tessa asked.

  “You two move into the apartment. It’s simple as that. I would recommend you both consider taking extra shifts at your job. You can request them.”

  “Why would we need extra shifts?” Aden asked

  “Renting an apartment is expensive. If you don’t keep up the cost of having one, you’ll lose it.”

  “Why warn us about all of this?” Aden asked.

  “Tell this to all young couples.”

  “Thank you,” Tessa said.

  “If you two lose your apartment, then you’ll have nowhere else to go, but the Adult dorms and that’d be a permanent situation.”

  “We understand,” Aden said.

  “You can have a few minutes alone and then it’s back to work for the both of you.”

  The man left the room.

  “It’s great we are working together to do this.”

  “Think it’s the best way to get what we want from this place,” she said.

  The opening of the door interrupted them. Two members of the Security team showed up. Tessa grinned as Aden turned his head around winking at her as he left with one member of Security.

  Following a Security person back to the Dorms, a Supervisor escorted her to the Laundry Center. Tessa finished her first shift of the day, ate lunch, and returned directly back to her work area. A scanner on the wall displayed the schedule of shifts. Tessa noticed there were no open shifts.

  Thinking of a new idea, she remembered how her shifts split up. Since Tessa only worked the afternoon and evening rotations, it left her mornings free. It occurred to her with free time during the day, Tessa figured out a plan.

  During her lunch break the next day, she asked a Supervisor if she could visit the Office of Work Ethics. Hardly anyone asked for a second job, so Tessa arrived there right after her shift.

  A skinny, red-headed woman greeted her in a receiving room. Tessa observed her go inside another office and return a few minutes later. The woman just pointed to the door.

  The Director of Work Ethic sat in his office. It seemed she stared at the same man she met at the first Annex, except the skinnier man had no hair.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked with a blunt tone. Taking a scanner from his chest pocket, he scanned her eye.

  “Not here to complain, sir. My job at the Laundry Center is fine.”

  “Get on with it.”

  “I used to work in a Vegetable Containment Center. Wanted to know if I could report there in the morning getting the vegetables ready for breakfast.”

  “You already have a shift split job in the laundry. Why do you want to work more? Most young people have other things to do. You’d only have your nights free.”

  “Is there a problem for someone wanting to work more hours instead of less?”

  “If I assign you to an additional Center, you’d be committing for two months. Are you willing to do?”

  Tessa agreed since it would take at least that long to get the apartment anyway. She felt relieved she would only have bathroom duty once a day after she started her second job.

  The weeks of the extra shift scrubbing vegetables again in addition to the laundry room shifts seemed to drag on. Separated from Aden meant she would not be able to get any communication to him. Tessa would only be able to see him after the Union paperwork finally got approved.

  A few days later, Tessa sat on her bed after her shift in the Vegetable Containment Center when Clara came to sit next to her. A few minutes later, Anna, a short girl with blond hair and blue eyes showed up. Tessa imagined her as a more helpful, calmer version of Lana.

  Anna’s bed was next to Clara’s. Anna talked little about her job. She just sat with them and smiled. Her presence didn’t bother Tessa, and Anna seemed to be happy just hanging out with them.

  “Haven’t seen you much lately,” Clara said.

  “Been working hard. Trying to afford an apartment.”

  “You’re really going to do this?” Clara asked.

  “Yeah, that’s the plan. Just wish there was a way to get word to him.”

  “There might be a way.”

  “How?” Tessa asked.

  “A friend of mine knows a guy who she talks to over there. Maybe he can get word to him.”

  “You’d do that for me? Someone could tell him I’ve been working two jobs?” Tessa asked.

  “Sure, why not? In return, you can tell me what I need to do to be exchanged!”

  “It’s a deal,” Tessa said.

  Tessa had to try and figure out how to help Clara being exchanged. Any word about Aden would be better than no news at all.

  23

  Surprise

  Four days passed without a word from Clara. Tessa just finished a double duty in the Laundry Center and her final cleaning of the restrooms for the night.

  After taking a quick shower, she put on her nightgown. Tessa watched Clara returning to her bed and went over to see her.

  “Have you heard anything yet?”

  “Well, turns out Aden is working two shifts. Wouldn’t talk about his second job. He said you two should be okay by the time you’re done at the second Center.”

  “Thanks. You know if you apply to be exchanged on the last day of each month, I think you increase your chances.”

  “So that was your trick? I didn’t think it mattered when you applied.”

  “Doesn’t really. But I wasn’t picked the first three times.”

  “You weren’t ever one of those Conservation girls, were you?”

  “No, were you?” Tessa asked, tilting her head.

  “No.”

  “Hope you get picked to be exchanged soon.”

  “Still have two months to go. The cutoff age for exchanges is nineteen.”

  “How could that be true? People will always need someone to work for them in New City.”

  “It’s a rule here. If you aren’t picked for Preservation or exchanged by the time, you’re nineteen, you stay in The Annex,” Clara said, “If you don’t form a Union before you are nineteen then you’re sent for Conservation. Happens too many girls here.”

  “You just keep applying. I’ll keep my fingers and toes crossed.”

  “You’ll hear from Aden soon. Just like I know I’ll get exchanged before I am nineteen!”

  “Hope you’re right. Good night,” Tessa said and returned to her bed.

  The two months passed by quickly. Summoned into the Director of Work Ethics office, the same young woman directed Tessa to the same office where the same man greeted her without a smile. He scanned her eye as a formality.

  “You have now completed your commitment to the Laundry Center. Your balance has increased to a positive amount. Do you wish to continue?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “It appears your skills were noted. You’ll be rotated out of the Laundry Center and into the Vegetable Containment Center at the
end of your second shift today.”

  “Thank you. Always happy to go where I’m most wanted.”

  “Anything else you want to say?”

  “Is it at all possible for anyone to work in New City and live in The Annex?”

  “That’s a ridiculous idea,” He said with a frown. “That’s impossible because it would cause chaos. All jobs between New City and The Annex must be part of an Exchange. It’s against the rules.”

  “Just wondering.”

  “Better not think that. Go back and finish your last shift at the Laundry Center.”

  Tessa nodded her head and left. She kept thinking to herself how easier it would be for New City to have a Center where people from The Annex could apply for jobs in New City rather than the Exchange Day. It seemed more humane offering choices, but Tessa wondered if it would ever happen.

  About to leave the Center, Tessa glanced twice at the people inside the waiting area because she recognized a man sitting in the office waiting his turn. Tessa couldn’t believe she gaped at her father. He stood up, looking at her in disbelief and with raindrops in his eyes. The lines appeared deeper in his forehead, and his hair peppered with grey strands.

  Tears poured down her face as she rushed to him. They exchanged a quick hug, both knowing they only had a few minutes to talk before the Supervisor would come out of the room.

  “Hi. What are you doing here?” Tessa asked, wiping tears from her face.

  “I’m in the Clothing Containment Center, procuring supplies. You?”

  “I’m about to form a Union with a guy named Aden. I work in the Vegetable Containment Center.”

  “Maybe I can see you after you get an apartment with this Aden.”

  “What happened to you and your mother?”

  “Left your mother. Just miserable in New City. That means you found her. I’m sure she told you.”

  “Yes, she did. I didn’t know how unhappy you were there.”

  “You know I always liked being my own boss. Wished it was different here. I was wrong.”

  “If you already have a job, why are you here?”

  “Once you get sent to The Annex, well, you know. Have to get a second job.”

  “Wish I’d found you sooner.”

  “That’s my line. I have to go my own way. Like always. You know that.”

  “Maybe I’ll see you soon?” Tessa asked, wiping tears from her eyes.

  “Maybe I can make that happen. Love you. Go have a nice Union.”

  “Love you too, dad. See you later. I hope.”

  A sadness washed over Tessa as she walked away from him, wondering if she’d see him again. She just hoped she would.

  24

  Jacket

  Back in the dorms, Tessa glanced around the room for Clara. Finally, Tessa walked over to Clara, who sat on her bed with a worried look, so she sat next to her.

  “What’s up, Clara?”

  “I did what you said. I got my name on the list on the last day of the month. The last Exchange Day before my nineteenth birthday is next month.”

  “Will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you.”

  “The others are worried too,” Clara said.

  “Heard it’s bad luck to say how old you are in a dorm.”

  “It’s bad luck, but they talk. You at least have Aden.”

  “I’ll just keep hoping that this month is yours.”

  After a quick shower, Tessa put on her nightgown. Returning to her bed, Tessa placed the wet towel at the foot of the bed to dry. Opening the trunk to check her clothes for the next day, she had trouble locating her jacket anywhere. She sifted through all of the sets of clothing, making sure it stayed hidden in any of her clothes.

  Tessa scanned the room, noticing one of the girls wearing the jacket. Knowing very little about Hilda except she towered over the group of girls hanging around with her

  She started to walk in Hilda’s direction. Clara stepped in front of her. Hilda glared back. Tessa stopped to listen to Clara talk.

  “You do not want to mess with her. A girl tried to get something back that Hilda stole from her. She ended up in the Medicinal Center. Haven’t seen her since.”

  “Really, that’s what happened? She really should not be able to get away with stealing.”

  “Her friends are all part of her group. It would be you against all of them. Not good odds.”

  “Okay. That jacket is not worth it.”

  “Did you even have a plan?”

  “No, just to ask for it back.”

  “Like that would ever happen.”

  “You’re right. Besides, look at those hips on her. She will get chosen for Preservation way before any of us,” Tessa said.

  Tessa and Clara shared a nice laugh. Back on her bed, Tessa believed she should forget about the jacket. A few memories were attached to it, but they were just memories.

  Instead, Tessa relived her meeting with her about her father. She felt happy to see him, but sad knowing how hard he must work two jobs. He seemed as if he aged too much too fast for her like her mother. She just hoped she would see him again.

  Tessa decided it made her happier to think about Aden, wondering about his second shift. Figuring they started their second jobs about the same time would mean they finished at the same time. As she drifted off to sleep, she tried not to think about why the Department of Union seemed so slow with their paperwork.

  25

  Changes

  The next morning Tessa hurried to see Clara, who greeted her with a smile. Exchange Day finally arrived.

  “Morning. Best of luck today.”

  “Thank you. Wish you could come to see me.”

  “You know I can’t go.”

  Hugging her, Tessa rushed to her job at the Vegetable Containment Center. Working through the morning, she wondered what happened to Clara. After eating breakfast, she started to go to the Laundry Center for her next shift. Anna stopped her.

  “Hey, there you are! Let’s walk back to the Center together.”

  “Sorry, you weren’t exchanged today.”

  “Never tried. My cousin is here. Until she wants to go, I’m staying with her,” Anna said with a smile. “Clara wanted to thank you.”

  “She made it! She got exchanged into New City?” Tessa asked, grinning about the news.

  “Yes, she did. Got to watch her do it, then ran back to tell you.”

  “Thanks for telling me.”

  “Sure. Oh, the other news is, Hilda’s gone. So is your jacket.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She got picked for Preservation.”

  “Well, what do you know?”

  “Oh, there is …something else.”

  “What is it?” she asked Anna as a Supervisor walked up to her. Tessa observed Anna as she gawked at the Supervisor and started walking away with her.

  “See you in a day or two. I got picked for Conservation.”

  Tessa walked back towards the Center. Tessa smiled about Clara being exchanged and even about Hilda, but shook her head, seeing Anna chosen for Conservation.

  During her lunch break, Tessa groaned one too many times, wondering what could be taking Department of Unions so long to make up their minds. A Supervisor walked up to her later one afternoon, stopping Tessa at work and showing her the screen of the tablet she carried in her hand.

  Smiling, Tessa removed her apron and placed it on the counter. Leaving the Center, she hurried to the building of the Department of Union. Walking inside the building, Aden sat in a chair, waiting for her.

  She walked up and sat down next to him., She smiled, happy to see him again. Tessa became aware the Union arrangement would be only a convenience. It really didn’t matter how he felt about her.

  The door of the inner office opened. The young woman at the desk motioned them inside as the Director behind the desk pointed for them to sit down. They followed her instructions.

  “Your Union has been approved. When I scan your eyes, so you two wil
l be officially recorded in the Directory of Unions of The Annex,” he said. They smiled as the Director took the optical scans with a double eye scanner.

  “This also means that your application for your apartment has been approved. I will be showing you several sets of screens that are documents you two need to sign. You will each place your thumb on each screen as your signature.”

  The Director presented Tessa and Aden with a series of screens on his tablet, and they took turns touching each screen. Not that they had the chance to read any of them.

  “We are all done here. You two are now officially in a Union. You have one day off work tomorrow to celebrate and move into your apartment. According to your eye scans, you took my advice about improving your balances, so you two should do well for the time being. Your scans read that you two are renting apartment 3135.”

  “What do we do now?” Aden asked.

  “You will get the rest of this day to procure the necessary rental items for your apartment. Your trunks at your dormitories will be sent there. You have no reason to go back to your dorm.”

  “Where do we go to get what we need?” Tessa asked.

  “You are to go to the Apartment Dispensary Center. It is located next to the apartments. At that Center, you should be able to purchase what you might need, such as kitchen and cleaning items. You must rent your furniture.”

  “We have to rent our furniture?” Aden asked. Tessa sensed a bit of anger in his voice.

  “Yes, no one in The Annex owns the furniture. You’ll still be allowed to eat in the cafeteria at your Center, but you’ll be charged for those meals.”

  “How do we locate our apartment?” Tessa asked.

  “The Center will provide a driver and a car to deliver you and your procurements to your apartment one. Shop wisely. You have a joint account now, so be careful with your balances. Many couples suffer the consequences of loss. Now, you may go.”

  Tessa and Aden walked over to the Apartment Dispensary Center. A tall, skinny man in a brown suit met them as they entered the room. They all sat at a small table, and he showed them a tablet with a list of furniture and other household items. He began to speak in a staccato, bass tone.