Interview

A million oblong stalagmites sprout skyward the colour of tarnished steel. Each clump cordoned into squares by tarry moats. Clogged with metallic monstrosities that would honk and holler at the next like rabid beasts. Taxies, like fuming hornets, lock fenders with elongated Lincoln chariots the shade of filthy coal.

Far above the cop copters strafe the ground with spotlights and lasers. And swarms of satellites circle like flies over a dump, policing the murky borders of smoke, sweat and steam. A nebulous prison for a lonely sun.

The weary sighs of a singular system forms an electronic ecosystem. Locked in into the same routine contention as a billion babbling citizens battle through their daily lives.

Offices, like termite mounds, where drones would toil within their respective cells. Factories and power plants belching smoke with robotic precision. And lastly, the suburban sprawl. Good neighbourhoods to the north, bad ones to the south. Tiny plots of grassy acres wherein people would gather to do nothing as their schedule permitted. It was a city, what city it was is not important, for all cities are the same.

It just so happened that this city was home to the headquarters of The Vander Corporation. One of the largest conglomerates in the world. A true success story, a garage industry that became a deity franchise. For as we all know the land of opportunity exists not geographically, but spiritually. And those who show the initiative are those who succeed in life. Those who are apathetic, they reap what they show.

Sebastian Müller had potential. The community counsellor noted his talents from an early age. He was a bright kid, with remarkable arithmetical abilities. His mind was pure, fastidious, he kept his bedroom immaculate. It was said that he displayed an aptitude towards physics, mathematics, accountancy, computer programming. And, much to his father’s delight, instinctively picked winning stock from infancy.

When he was eight the community councillor told his parents he might really benefit from direct tutelage from one of the educational agencies, who would agree to make him reach his full potential and guide him towards a career that would best suit him. The end result was to place him in a sector where he would best contribute to the Workforce. And the Agency only wished for the most miniscule percentage from future earnings that he would earn in his adult years. The councillor, for her insight got a few thousand Uni upfront regardless of the outcome. His parents, on the other hand, had reservations in the initial stages. But when they talked it over with young Sebastian he seemed to like the idea. The Agency invited his family out for a free tour of the Facility, and, watching all those youngsters his age in such a stimulating environment, he immediately went for the idea.

***

Life in the Facility was an enjoyable one. The food was good, he made many great friends there and his abilities were maximized on a one- to-one basis. He was steered, directed, from that early age, to realise his full potential.

Unlike most children his age, who would dream impractical vocations, Sebastian had already set his mind on where he wanted to go, what he wanted to do and how far, realistically he would be able to ascend in his field. He had them set into a feasible timeline.

When his parents visited the odd weekend (for it was far, far from where he grew up) and saw the change in him they were delighted. His manners were impeccable, and his grammar and vocabulary so advanced that they often forgot that he was still but a child. His weight was much better too, for the regular exercise he received, in fact, he one of the top soccer players in the Facility, and it made his father proud. Not like his older brother Joseph, who was an interminable couch potato and a chronic Virchudo junkie. He did not eat right either, but would gorge himself on junk food and subsequently had developed the physique of a bonsai sumo.