by Tanya Ross
Two days on the job at the Plauditorium and Will was starting to feel useless. Although being a Plauditor was a huge honor, he was also finding it to be entirely boring. He’d received his training, and afterward he knew for sure: he was made for this. He rubbed his eyes. Staying awake and interested was the problem with the job. It was a long day when the whole job was watching the monitor.
Everything was always so peaceful in Tranquility. Crime was nil, and everyone was always considerate and kind. The situations that made a Plauditor blink twice were when someone was in trouble or needed encouragement.
It was evident from the start, though, that Will was the One—the One chosen exclusively for those types of emergencies. His experience saving young Jesse from the train had shown his mettle and his self-sacrificing nature. So, he was a logical choice when there was an at-risk situation. Although it would be infrequent, Will relished the opportunity to get out into the community.
A huge part of a Plauditor’s job was to encourage the citizens if they were experiencing an emotional crisis. They were the city’s intervention teams, helping people before they were referred to counseling or purging. Will was perfect for that. He could stay calm and focused; his Alt numbers would stay stable and would pulse upward when he could affect someone’s day in a positive manner. It was then that he truly loved his job. During these first days, Will had already been commended for his sensitivity to others. His response was a modest smile and deep blush.
“Umm...Will? Austel spoke up from behind his screen.
“Yeah?”
“You know any people who are Elites? I mean, personally, like a friend, not professionally.” Austel turned toward Will, his head tilted to the side, thoughtfully. His fiercely gathered brows jutted over his questioning eyes.
“Hard to miss them in those gold clothes, but no. I don’t know any personally. Everyone’s always polite, though. Why?”
“Just wondering. I’ve met a few Elites. They’re friendly, yes…but I don’t feel connected to them. Like they’re above us—I mean way above us. A goal of mine—to have friends in the Elite. Possibly be one myself one day. They have it all.” Austel brushed a flake of tiny debris off his lapel; in spite of resembling a dog, Austel was as fastidious as a cat.
“I’m sure you’ll get there, Austel. If you’re upbeat, there’s no ceiling. Hey…let’s have a competition with our Alt points. You in?”
“Only if you want to lose, Golden Boy.”
Will grinned. “How long you been a Plauditor?”
“Two years to the day. Best job ever.” Austel picked up the cup on his desk and held it up, as if to say “cheers.”
“Not much experience then.” Will teased. He’d been trying hard to break down Austel’s barriers. He was such a serious guy, and maybe a little jealous. Will didn’t want bad blood between them. That would breed negativity. He couldn’t have that.
“I’ve got enough, bro. I’ll help you whenever I can,” Austel laughed.
“Whatcha do when you’re not workin’?”
“Go out with girls, what else?” Austel gave Will a wink, as if he was suddenly a best friend.
“Anyone special?”
“Nope. I like to date around. Plenty of girls want a Plauditor,”
“Yeah? Good to know. I’d better keep this job, then,” he replied, happy that he had finally broken the ice with Austel.
Will switched the view on his screen to see what was happening at the transportation hub of the city. He watched the monorail stop to let “Tranks” board, but his heart lurched when a high alert broadcast blasted through the Plauditorium’s speakers. “This is Tedman. Attention, all Plauditors: A Level Eight Trank’s security and Emotional Management are in crisis! Will Verus: respond to Abode Twenty-five in Purple Vale. Help Center reports break in and multiple Alt crashes.”
Will stood and yelled out into the workplace. “Who’s got the Purple Vale sector?” Will’s eyes panned the room. “Certainly, someone in here saw a problem…”
A Level Thirteen Plauditor seated by the window jumped up. “The camera showed nothing! I would’ve reported it…look for yourself!” she called out.
Will thought that was ridiculous. Why wouldn’t the camera show a break-in? But the girl sounded sincere.
He turned to Austel, seated to his right. “Go with me?”
“No time to waste,” Austel replied. Austel shoved his badge into his pocket and grabbed his hat, taking a moment to set it on his head perfectly.
Will grabbed his shiny new badge and his Tranquility ID card and dashed through the door to a curb-bound black vehicle with tinted windows. He inserted his card into the door and whipped inside.
“Go, go, go!” Austel shouted as he jumped right in next to him.
Within minutes, they arrived at the Purple Vale sector. And seconds after that, they were knocking on Number Twenty-five.
The door immediately opened, and Will stifled a gasp. Although her eyes shone with tears, the girl in the doorway was a beauty. It caught him off guard for a moment, and he worked to recover himself.
The Vision spoke. “You got here faster than I imagined. Thank you so much.” Peering beyond, he glimpsed a disheveled interior and knew they had their work cut out for them.
From his pants’ pocket Will drew out his Factive, a pocket-sized appliance used for notetaking, “Our pleasure, Miss…” he glanced at the little screen… “Vinata.”
The poor girl looks more like a body for the Kelasts to collect. In spite of her beauty, she was pale as a cadaver. Will could tell without a doubt that the victim was in severe crisis.
“Call me…Ember, please. Come in— if you can find a place to walk.”
Will entered through the door to find he was forced to tiptoe through debris scattered everywhere. An entire purple-gilded bookcase had its collection strewn on the carpet. The lack of books seemed to broadcast its loneliness, its bareness sleek, but startling. Portraits and still-lifes pried from the eggplant-colored walls lay upside down or were stripped from their frames, their positions now marking a north, south, east, west design. Whatever lay shattered on the ground in pieces was unrecognizable, just a mosaic of color and brilliance. Lamps appeared dissected, save for one which proudly stood at the edge of the fireplace, its light still stubbornly shining amidst the chaos.
Austel whistled. “Whoever did this was pretty upset here. And I can see where you would be, too. Look at this place.”
The three of them made their way further into the Great Room. “Anything been stolen, Ember?” Will continued to glance about the room, recording a few notes on his Factive.
“I haven’t…seen anything missing, but I haven’t even been upstairs to the bedrooms. I thought I’d better wait for you to get here,” Ember admitted.
Austel said, “I’ll check up there.” He dashed off, taking the stairs two at a time.
“So…Ember, can you think of who might’ve done this? Anyone you know getting treatment for Emotional Management issues?”
He was suddenly nervous. Do your job, he thought. But his heart was racing, and his palms began to sweat. A wave of panic set in, followed by confusion. Hope, fear, and insecurity were all converging in the pit of his stomach at the same time. Pull yourself together.
“No, I can’t imagine…I mean, I don’t know anyone like that.”
Will took a deep breath, hoping it sounded like frustration over her lack of information, instead of the emotions he was feeling. “Think hard. When someone has to submit to Purging sessions, they could go a little haywire. They’re already struggling with controlling emotions. Those people are monitored closely, but you never know.”
“Honestly, I don’t know anybody who’s even been counseled. I live kind of a quiet life.”
A yell from upstairs interrupted the conversation. “Clear. Just a mess all around. Taking notes now.”
Will called back, “I’ll handle the Great Room and kitchen then.” He turned to Ember. “First, though, we’ll get
you stabilized.” He looked at his Factive. “Three complete Alt crashes today.” He looked up at her. You might not know anyone who’s been counseled, but you’re about ready to be in that situation, he thought. “Let’s find you a place to sit….” Will found a plushly upholstered chair and with a hefty lift and push put it back in an upright position. “The break-in’s upsetting. But I see your first two Alt crashes happened earlier in the day.” Will motioned to the cushioned chair. “Sit. Please.” Ember gratefully sat down.
She looks exhausted. “My name’s Will—Will Verus. And my partner,” he pointed to the ceiling, “is Austel.”
“You look familiar. Have I met you before?”
“No.” Will shifted his weight and dropped his eyes. “I’m a little embarrassed…I was on the morning news. Maybe that’s why?”
“Yeah...I remember seeing something like that.”
“No matter. Not important—not at all. Now, can you tell me about your day?”
Ember sighed. “It’s hard…hard to talk about.” She looked down at her hands twisting in her lap and then put them flat on her lap, smoothing them across her dress.
Will hoped his demeanor was soothing. He didn’t want to hurt her in her fragile state, so he softened his voice. “Take your time, Ember.”
“My mother died this morning.” It came out in a rush.
Wow. Now Will understood. He was stunned. How much could a person take in a day? “I…I’m so sorry. No wonder you’re sad.”
She shook her head up and down, speechless for an extended moment. “Yeah. I don’t know how to get my Alt readings back up. I don’t want to be counseled. I feel so…alone.” She placed her hands on her face as if to hide from the world around her. He watched as she realized her hands were shaking, and she dropped them to her lap, clasping them in an iron grip.
“Can I help you? Some deep breathing and visualization, Ember? It’ll help you feel better. Then we’ll see what else needs to be done. You’ve got to get a handle on your emotions.”
“Yes…thank you…”
“May I sit here next to you? Or will that make you uncomfortable?”
Ember gave a weak laugh, although Will was sure she was not finding this funny at all. “Of course. I trust you.”
“That alone will help your Alt points. Close physical presence to another person’ll help.” Will sat down next to Ember. The chair seemed to forgive the extra body, but it was a tight squeeze.
“Take my hand, Ember,” Will gently said. At her touch, his chest tightened, and he felt a tingle down his spine.
12
Will’s Salvation
Ember grasped Will’s hand and squeezed. He put his other arm around her, and an overwhelming urge to protect her swept over him.
“First thing to do is practice deep breathing. Your training. You remember it, right?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Okay, breathe with me now…Seven rounds of deep breaths in through the nose. Hold it, then let your breath out through your mouth.”
She looked at him with doe-like eyes, and he saw a vulnerability that surprised him. Yet, it was the trust in her eyes that freaked him out. Here she had just met him, and she was hanging on his every word, following each command perfectly. He wondered if the trauma of the moment made her act this way, or if she was always so trusting of people she didn’t know.
Ember took jagged breaths. Her eyes closed in concentration. He could see she was trying hard just to get the breath pulled in smoothly. He was vaguely aware of Austel’s footsteps upstairs and the ticking of the clock in the room, and yet they seemed far, far away. She wasn’t the only one concentrating. He was wrapped up in the moment.
“As you exhale, let go of all expectations. Exhale all tension, fear, and exhaustion. Allow your physical, mental and emotional body to melt away.”
He thought about that melting part. Her emotions should melt away since they were so sad. But the idea of her melting physically away…he was glad that wouldn’t happen.
“Empty yourself and enter stillness…enter silence…Now, once you are in that same space of quiet calm, repeat your mantra seven times….” She seems to find it possible to repeat her personal mantra and breathe. That’s a relief.
“Happiness is a choice…happiness is a choice…happiness is a choice…” Her voice was soft, breathy.
“Feel yourself becoming one with the state of tranquility. Open your heart and connect to the positive emotions and the love you have inside.”
This girl. He wondered if she had a lot of love. He hoped so. She certainly seemed to need people—almost as if she was starving for them. How was she all alone here? Certainly she had people to love her.
“As you continue, you’ll release fear, doubt, hesitation, and resistance. You’ll become a channel for happiness and peace. See yourself as an overcomer. Your Alt will register these desires.”
Will watched Ember begin to relax. Her shoulders came down from their tight position. He noticed the muscles in her arms and hands slacken. Her hands no longer tightened into fists.
“How’re you feeling, Ember?”
“Better…” Her voice was weak, breathy.
“We’re doing one last thing for calm. Then we’ll look for clues on this break in.” Will reached into his pocket and pulled out some magnetic music transponders and handed them to Ember. “Just place the dot on your earlobe — it’ll stay attached. Then I’ll play music—it’ll help your brain produce more Alpha waves. About twelve minutes long, okay? During this just relax and close your eyes…I’ll be looking at your Alt to see if you can get some point increases.”
Ember adjusted the dots as she placed them on her ears. “Thank you.”
Will soon realized the music was making some headway. Ember’s Alt was responding. He watched, elated, as her points increased, and her breath became steady. The Alt registered a change from a low of fifty to a more stable one hundred. He continued to hold her hand, hoping that even the blood rushing through his fingertips would help to comfort her.
This girl took his breath away. He noticed her long lashes rested softly on her face as she shut her eyes to concentrate; the smallest frown formed a crease between her eyebrows. Tendrils of her hair, shiny and copper, had escaped from the rest, adding a slightly disheveled look to her appearance; however, it took nothing away from her beauty. In fact, it added a vulnerability that was endearing. She was exquisite. He felt a hot wave ignite his entire being, an uninvited stir the force of which he had never imagined. His palms now damp, he diverted his thoughts to one of the more mundane paintings staring up at him from the floor.
The music ceased, and none too soon. It had been a long twelve minutes. Ember opened her eyes. Will smiled and exhaled. Ember’s Alt showed its points were back in the normal zone. One-hundred fifty and going up.
“Ember…how are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been drowning! But I feel like I’m back on dry land. Thank you.”
Will was reluctant to get out of the chair where he was snuggled with Ember but pushed his body to rise. “I think we can continue the investigation now.”
Will made his way around the messy room, Ember shadowing his moves. After a few moments, she lost her “deer in the headlights” look, and Will noticed her adjusting her dress and running her fingers through her hair. She seemed to be fully back in the moment.
Will began by snapping pictures, using his Alt’s camera app. Take a shot, replace a vase on a pedestal. Photograph the sofa and restore it to an upright position. He and Ember cleaned up the earth dumped from potted plants with their hands, and rehung pictures. Why would any citizen of Tranquility be so destructive?
“Ember, the person was looking for something in your place. Think again. Is there anything that might be missing? Or so valuable that someone would take this risk?”
“I can’t think of anything. I haven’t taken inventory. I’ll have to let you know,” Ember said, her voice still unsteady.
J
ust then Austel came bounding down the stairs, entering the room like a fireball. “Took pictures. Most everything’s back in order, as best I could.”
Ember smiled at them both, but Will imagined the warmth was all for him. “Of course. Thanks again so much. You’re so helpful.”
“Will, let’s wrap up. Back at the Plauditorium we’ll put it all together. See what we can make of it.”
“Right. We’ll see you again, Ember, once we can issue a formal report. In the meantime, stay safe. Make sure you’re monitoring your points frequently. Hopefully, you won’t have to call us again.” Inside Will thought, I hope you do.
The duo marched over to the door and extended their arms, fingers up. Ember, smiling, raised her arm in response.
As the door swung open and Austel stepped out, Will stopped. An epiphany struck him. How had he missed it? “Your home’s monitor camera, Ember…is it working?”
“I think so…. let me check.” Ember moved across to where the hidden camera was mounted next to the fireplace. “It’s blinking and following our moves….so yeah, it’s working….” For proof, she waved her hand in front of the lens.
“Great,” Will responded, although his bewilderment deepened. Somehow the camera had not captured any of the break-in but was working well. “Again, take care, Ember.”
He closed the door. His feelings were on an out-of-control elevator ride to the top floor. Time to check his Alt. The numbers blinked into place, and as he suspected, they hit an all-time high.
13
Xander’s Win
Xander cringed. After witnessing his abuse of Ember in the middle school memory Purge, the counselor insisted he come back yet again to talk about other experiences nearly identical to that one. Winslow assured him each confession and visual experience would completely rehabilitate him.
Xander shook his head, trying to rid himself of the many memories he’d viewed with the counselor. Winslow insisted that wanting to be in control was a weakness—but isn’t that what Tranquility was all about—control? In every episode where he sought command over another, Xander was pushed, prodded, and exhorted to remember, confess, and analyze. It all pointed to the same conclusion. Xander was dysfunctional; he couldn’t be happy unless he had the upper hand—the influence, the authority.
