Thursday, November 10, 2005

23.

All check’d into a Go-land hotel.
Artificial breeze floated ethereally all manes, hesitating its intensity and way for better results.
They weren't staying in the night district, of course. They were staying in the business section, awaiting further instructions. Because there weren't any geological teams to oversee, not there anyway. Of course, there was the extra divisa dripping into their accounts everyday for they being "dislocated off their primary functions", but Michæl soon started to feel suspicious about that rapid removal. Sniffing here and there, he smoked it out: there was a rumour about Torrid's intranet being contaminated by that terrorist guy, the Liquidator. Every team in the East had been removed and scattered away. The non-contaminated teams, naturally.
- The rest should be all in Kaapor's little white room. - said Michæl, mentioning the most popular urban legend about Torrid.
- That's bullshit - said Ina.
Michæl: Says someone who've been formatted since early infancy.
Isabel: To be raised by a company means it's your family. I don't, I won't speak against my family.
Michæl: There you go, reciting droney slogans already.
Ina: What about ex-sex industry workers, do you harbor prejudice against'em too?
Michæl: Ina, please stay out of this. What I mean is, Torrid only adopted war orphans on bulk to get a bulk tax discount. That's already non-selflessness enough to me. Now who knows what they've done to your minds on top of that? Brainwashing, hypnopedia, cult psychology...
Isabel: A little bit of everything. And food, and clothes, and education too. And politeness too, something I feel you strongly lack.
Ina (clapping hands together): Oooh!
Isabel: You know what your problem is? Jealousy. You never passed Torrid's test and they threw you out on the streets...
Michæl loses his tongue for a second. He glares at Isabel, who stares at him back coldly.
Michæl: You mean, the intelligence test to sort out what little children were worthier to be saved? The one which if you failed at was plainly dumped out? That's definitive proof that Torrid has a fine mission! And, yes, you mut be oh so very special to be selected. I'm not, maybe I was not a very proactive child... or maybe I wouldn't show that much talent to crush other people.
Ina looks at Isabel, that by her turn looks at him apparenting no remorse. Ina feels sorry for him and touches Michæl's arm; he shakes her away and leaves the community room.

No comments: