by S. L. Baum
“Mine is in my bag at all times,” Aspen smiled.
“I carry a small one in my pocket,” my father said. “Yours has been recorded in the Registrar’s Office. Every tablet produced must be recorded.”
“Sit down, Bluebell,” Aspen repeated my father’s request. “Dallas will be serving dinner in just a moment. I had him make your father’s favorite.”
“Yes. Sit down.” My father motioned to the chair beside him. “We have much to discuss.”
I placed my tablet on the table and sat down.
“Your father has just been telling me the exciting news.”
I looked from Aspen to my father. “What exciting news?”
“You are to be an ambassador! After you’ve received some mandatory training at the Career Education Center of course,” Aspen smiled with excitement. Her smooth face barely registered the emotion.
“Ambassador?” I asked, confused.
Dallas, our chef, walked into the dining room carrying a silver tray. He placed a plate of food, and then a glass of juice, in front of each of us. “Your meal this evening consists of roasted baby potatoes, grilled white fish, and steamed green beans; all with my special spice blend. There is fresh acidic grapefruit juice enhanced with vitamins and digestive supplements to refresh you. Your breakfast shakes and your lunches are in the cooler drawers ready for your consumption tomorrow. I’ll be back at three o’clock tomorrow afternoon, as usual. Do you have any requests for your protein for tomorrow’s evening meal?” he asked, looking at Aspen.
“Yes. Marinated soy tofu,” Aspen answered. “The spicier marinade though, not the one you used last time. That one was too bland.”
“I’ll see to it,” Dallas nodded. “Enjoy your meal.”
Dallas walked out of the dining room. As soon as the door swung closed behind him I looked directly at Aspen. “Ambassador?” I repeated.
“Why, yes. Your good fortune is proof that when a family fully embraces the goodness of Concord, they will be rewarded. Your father and I always made sure you were promptly seen and immunized by your doctors as an infant. We carefully monitored your eating and exercise habits as a toddler. We stressed the importance of obedience. And in return, you are of exceptional health and have always shown the upmost in good behavior. You consistently received extraordinarily high marks while in Training Tech. You were never given a demerit against you for behavior, attitude, or even breaking a minor rule,” Aspen explained. “Our daughter is unmarred in every way.”
My father continued. “The Council feels that all of this compliance and attention to your proper upbringing must be a major factor in your distinctive Citizen Brand. Being Lush makes you special. Your attractive appearance and pleasant disposition would be quite appealing on a nationwide level. You will travel and make public appearances, perform in several informative videos, and give the people hope that they too could produce a child who is Lush.”
“We’ve already been contacted by some very influential families that would like to talk about the possibility of a Marriage Contract,” Aspen added. Pride rang out in her voice.
“Marriage! What?” I gasped.
My father reached out and placed his hand over mine. “There is no rush for that, my dear girl. No one expects you to choose a life mate before the age of eighteen. I wouldn’t complain if you waited until you were nineteen or twenty even,” he winked at me.
It was June. I would be eighteen in October. That was just four months away. I wondered how many people really expected me to choose the person that I would be willing to spend the rest of my life with sometime within the next four months.
“The later the better,” I sighed.
“She’s right,” Aspen said.
I blinked. She was actually agreeing with me.
“We should take as much time as we can. That way we can weed out the unfortunate candidates and choose the very best one,” she continued. “I think there is a 1.10 that is around twenty-four years old and a 1.08 that is only twenty-one. I’ll have to look at my files to read up on all of their personal details. Although, either of those boys would expect Bluebell to join their family. Whose family would her offspring belong to? No, that wouldn’t do. Maybe it is better to stay away from anyone with claims to the original twenty. 1.15 is such a prestigious family. A good quality boy from a lesser family could be a strong addition to our numbers, as you were, Jackson,” Aspen rattled on.
Her mind was spinning away. I could see the wheels turning as she planned out the rest of my life for me. It seems that I would have my future all set up and I wouldn’t have a say in it. I just sat there, dumbfounded.
I took my fork and flaked off a piece of the whitefish, placed it on a slice of baby potato, and then put the bite in my mouth. I chewed, not really tasting, just eating.
Was my life decided for me already? Did it really matter if it was Aspen planning it out, or my father, or The Council? I had expected to enter the CEC, receive my career placement, and then enter into my training. I knew that those things were chosen already, but I had thought that I’d be able to discover my destiny on my own. I had hoped to find a mate on my own as well. But it seemed that my father and Aspen were shoving me toward my destiny instead.
I shrugged my shoulders and took another bite of my meal. I guess it didn’t really matter how I got on the path. There really was only one path for me to walk. It was my duty to Concur with Concord. And I knew I would do my duty. I always did. I always would.
Being singled out as Lush seemed to bring with it the weight of added responsibility.
Chapter Seven
Education and Assignments
The plans for my Grand Gala were well under way. Weirdly, I didn’t know much about it. Aspen rarely asked my opinion and had told me very little, other than to inform me that my father had decided, against her better judgment, that Lily and I would have a shared Gala. As the head of Armory Development, Lily’s father, Denver, was gaining importance in society. His unmatched skills and his loyalty to Concord were to be rewarded; thus his political and social significance had increased. Our fathers were working together quite closely, so my father had decided that it would be a great show of common interests for the two of their daughters to have the grandest Gala of all.
If Lily’s father was so important to Concord, it must mean the Armory Department was quite important to Concord. Yet we were never told of any threats. We were never informed of any conflict with outside sources, or inside sources, for that matter. So, it seemed like a pointless occupation to me. I guess that just knowing Armory existed helped the Citizens feel secure, because Concord would always be prepared and ready to keep us safe from any harm.
On Monday morning my father dropped me off at the Career Education Center on his way to the administrative offices where he worked. I’d been informed that I was expected to show up about thirty minutes before Lily, or anyone else, was required to. The building was eerily quiet when I entered. The clack of my heels on the tile floor echoed throughout the Common Room at the entrance to the CEC. Branching out from the room were three hallways that would soon be full of students; some beginning their education, some in the middle of it, and some who were soon to be sent off to apprentice in their given field.
Standing in the center of the Common Room was a woman. She was perfectly coiffed, perfectly dressed, perfectly perfect. Her short blonde hair was smooth and straight, the ends lightly brushing her chin. Her suit was dark metallic grey, trim and stylish, and the color somehow made her eyes shine. The black shoes on her feet were pointed, shiny, and tall. I immediately thought of Beta. In a way, the outward appearance of perfection and her confident stance reminded me of him. She stood tall and proud; hands behind her back, chin up, with a small smile on her lips. I assumed that she was there for me, so I walked up to her.
“Hello. I’m Bluebell.”
“Yes. I’ve been given your file. You are much more appealing in person, which is a good thing. Your Tech photo doesn’t do you justice. You will
do quite nicely,” she stated.
“Nicely?”
“Forgive me. I’ve ignored proper introductions. My name is Cimarron. I’ll be your mentor and guide while you are instructed and groomed to be a respectable public figure for Concord.”
“Cimarron. I’ve never heard that name before. I like it,” I smiled.
“Thank you. My parents picked it just as the transition from Fallen Cities to Natural Names was taking place. It was still a city but it makes one think of the natural spice. I’ve never met another Cimarron.”
“Neither have I,” I agreed. “Why did you say I’d do nicely?” I asked
“You have a pleasant and friendly look about you, and you look healthy. You’ve obviously followed your nutrition and exercise guidelines. You are a perfect example of an outstanding Citizen of Concord. You’ll be an easy sell. If you were unattractive or an improper weight or sickly looking then… well… it will simply make more sense to the general public that someone like you would be Lush. Can I see it?” she asked, pointing to my arm.
“Why not?” I said and held up my wrist for inspection.
“It’s actually quite pretty. That will help too. You’ll be the envy of all.”
I pulled my arm back. “I don’t want to be the envy of all. I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary to earn this. My friends didn’t do something wrong to be marked infertile.”
“Ah, but you don’t know that.” She shook her head in disagreement and held out her arm. “You see this X. This is a direct consequence of my mother’s desire for youth over duty. She decided to take her first youth serum when she was seven months pregnant. She was a bit older when she conceived me, and she decided that she’d waited long enough. She ruined both our chances. She was never able to conceive again and I was marked infertile.”
“I heard that could happen.”
“I had a roommate at Tech who loved to run. Not just a little, to strengthen her heart, as we are advised. No, she ran to clear her mind, ran to relax, ran when she was angry, and also when she was happy. It made no sense. The Guardians advised her not to, the doctors warned her it could have adverse outcomes. She was even put on hold. But when she finally showed up at the CEC it was with an X as well. She ruined her own chance.”
I shook my head. “How sad.”
“Yes. Excessive exercise is detrimental. And recently we’ve had reports that some new mothers have actually exceeded the advised immunization dates for their child by seven to ten days. They are putting their children at risk of infertility by waiting so long for much needed medicines. That will simply not do. There is talk that the immunizations team may be forced to become a mobile one. With home visits, there will be no risk of noncompliance. You see, the Citizens need to know that when they live their lives within the guidelines set up to protect them, good things are possible,” she smiled.
“What exactly do you do for Concord?” I asked.
“I am the lead Citizen’s Information Specialist. I make sure the people of Concord know what is being done to make their very existence a positive, safe, and secure experience. And I make sure the people are aware of the adverse effects of trying to go against the wishes of The Council. The Council always knows best. Concur with Concord,” she lilted.
“Concord Reigns,” I smiled. It was the response that was expected of me, so I gave it willingly.
“See what I mean?” she smiled. In fact she had done nothing but smile since I’d walked up to her. “You’re perfect. Follow me,” she ordered and turned to walk down one of the halls.
I immediately followed.
We entered one of the rooms at the end of the hallway and Cimarron instructed me to sit on one side of the table that had been placed in the center of the small room. She rounded the table and sat on the other side. There was a tablet waiting there, between us.
“This is your official tablet. It is private. Keep it separate from your personal one, and keep it with you always. I will be contacting you after hours and sometimes on Sundays to discover the progress you have made on certain tasks that you will be given. It is important that a member of my team is able to reach you at any time.”
“I understand,” I replied.
“The information that you will be given is private. You are not to share it with friends or even family members. Your mother and father are aware of most aspects of your role as ambassador, so there is no need to seek permission from them or to ask for their blessing on anything I ask you to do. You have been given a certain level of clearance by The Council, which will increase as you show your loyalty and hard work. This is a great privilege!”
“Will I be able to see my friends?” I asked.
“Of course. The Council is quite adamant that you maintain a high profile. You must be seen in the best of company, enjoying yourself. You need to be the very picture of youth, health, and social grace.”
“That’s a lot to live up to,” I worried. “I hope I do not disappoint.”
“I will be here to guide you along the way. You’ll do fine,” Cimarron said and reached across the table to pat my hand. Then she pressed a button on the tablet, turning it on.
My name appeared on the screen. Bluebell. The Lush Ambassador of Concord.
Cimarron read the words aloud. “Your mother picked a lovely name for you.”
“Aspen has a knack for that. She knows how to pick out lovely things,” I smirked.
“Lesson Number One: Your parents are to be always referred to as Mother and Father when you are in public. It shows respect.”
“Tell that to Aspen. She’s the one that told me to stop calling her Mother.”
Cimarron pulled out her own mini tablet and began to type away on it. She looked up at me after she was finished and had put the tablet back in her jacket pocket. “Done. Aspen, your mother, has been informed of the changes.”
“She’s not going to like it,” I said under my breath.
“She will do what is expected. Her father has set this plan into motion. Your grandfather is a brilliant man. You and your parents will be the perfect picture of a Concord family. It is my understanding that she is quite looking forward to it. I have been told to keep her apprised,” Cimarron informed me.
“I wonder if I will see my grandfather soon. Aspen, I mean Mother, told me that he was looking forward to seeing me again. But then I think he must have been the one to call my father away after I received my Citizen Brand.”
“I think you are right,” she winked at me. “They were planning your future. You are a lucky girl to have such caring people to look out for you. I wish my mother had been as diligent about my future. If it wasn’t for my father, and the fact that we are proud members of family 1.20, I might have been destined for another life. But I married well. I have an adopted daughter in Year Six. It’s a pity she can’t take our family number, it would be of great benefit later in her life. But those are the ways of Concord.” Cimarron looked wistful for a moment, almost like she was imagining another life for her daughter, but then the smile appeared on her face again. “So let’s start with a brief overview,” she said, opening a document in my new official Ambassador Tablet.
***
It was time to break for lunch, and Cimarron gave me a black bag and told me to keep my new tablet in it always. There were two pockets inside, one for each of my two tablets, and a space to keep other personal items. The new bag hung from my left shoulder, slung across my body, with the words Concord Reigns embroidered in shimmering gold. The gold against the black sparkled in the sun as I stepped outside, glinting and catching the eye of everyone that I passed.
Lily stared at it as I approached the table where she sat, waiting for me, with a group of our friends. Fisher and Stone were perched on either side of her. Holly, Willow, Ash, and Clay were across from them.
“Nice bag,” Lily whistled as I neared. “Fancy bag for your fancy new position. My father told me about it this morning. Hope you don’t mind, I kind of filled them in already,�
�� she said, gesturing to the group.
I rushed over to her and gave her a hug. “No. It’s fine. Everyone will know soon enough.” I sat down beside Stone. “Cimarron, my new mentor, gave the bag to me. I was also given a second tablet for my training as Lush Ambassador of Concord. Apparently I must carry two tablets with me at all times; one for me and one for Concord.”
“I would hate that,” Stone said through a breath of released air. “A small one in my pocket is more than enough for me. I think I could do without it, actually.”
“How can you say that?” Willow balked at the thought. “We are much safer with them. How would anyone know where you are or if you are in trouble if you didn’t have your tablet?”
“She’s right,” Holly agreed.
“Yes, I know. I’ve got it with me,” Stone assured her. “See,” he said, pulling it out of his pocket. He waved it in the air.
Fisher pulled out his full sized tablet and placed it on the table. “I wouldn’t be able to look at all my Architectural studies with something that small. Blue, I got Architecture. That was a load off my mind.”
“Oh, yeah! I almost forgot,” I said. “You guys all got your assignments today. So, what did everybody get? I want to know what was chosen for each of you.”
“Architecture, as I just said,” smiled Fisher.
“Armory, as expected,” beamed Lily.
Stone raised his hands in the air, a show of triumph. “Entertainment Video Production. No desk, no desk!”
“Yay!” I laughed. “No desk.”
Willow spoke next. “Well I am to become a Culinary Technician and Nutritional Consultant.”
“I am bound for Peace Keeper Training.” Ash’s eyes shone with pride.
I gave an inward sigh of relief. His X hadn’t rendered him with an undesirable position.
Holly gave a sheepish smile. “I have no idea why, but I’ve been told that I’d excel as an actress. Stone and I will be working on opposite ends of the video camera.”
“This is pretty exciting!” I exclaimed. “We will all be working in such different areas. I love it. I can’t wait to find out what everyone else was assigned to.”
