I write: Decisions in a tense world: Political and Social Systems

Writing Assignment – Decisions in a tense world: Political and Social Systems

The Set up - Overview

This week I’d like you to write a scene. It can be a standalone story or part of a larger tale that you haven’t yet written. The goal of the scene is to show a character making a decision with life-changing consequences. This decision should be heavily influenced by, or take place in the context of, your fictional world.

Your fictional world, in this case, should take a fundamental value of our current societies on earth and change them in some way. It can take the form of either a science-fiction or fantasy setting, but it has to be different from today. Is it a world where fertile women are forced into child-bearing servitude? Is it a world where magic exists, but is forbidden? Is it a world of mass oppression and class struggle? Think through how those factors would weigh in your characters decision process.

They’d all heard the stories, about the time before the wars, when everyone was able to share everything about themselves freely. When people could stand out and be themselves without fear of repercussions. Aggary’s Gran had talked of that time, but even she had not been old enough to actually remember them. She talked fondly though, wistfully, as if that time was better than now. It almost seemed like Gran wished she’d been a part of that life, as if she wished she’d been one of those with certain abilities. Aggary always shook her head. She enjoyed the stories, but there was no way that life would have been any better back then.

But Gran had been born during the wars when everything was upside down and sideways. Of course she’d been hanging on to stories that made everything look wonderful. Aggary always wondered if Gran’s parents, her great grandparents, had spoken fondly of the before-time and that’s why Gran had been the way she was. Her own father had always dismissed Gran’s stories as silliness. Aggary knew he’d had to listen to them as a child too. She actually missed listening to Gran’s stories, even if she couldn’t bring herself to believe them. She couldn’t believe that special people could have been anything but frightening, or frightened.

The world Aggary lived in was consistent, everyone was the same. No one could do anything more than anyone else. Of course, some people had an aptitude for certain kinds of work, but no one had any special talents that could help them get ahead in ways that others couldn’t. Everything was equal now. Except for the Government - they were in control of everyone. Aggary didn’t know what made someone special enough to be part of the Aggary, but she’d also never bothered to ask. She just assumed they’d been born into it. That was the only way to be ahead of anyone else. It was soothing, most of the time to live in such a world. There was no outward competition. But even Aggary had to admit that sometimes she wished for more. The current events stories showed anyone who stood out as disreputable, dangerous even. There was no way that Aggary wanted to be one of those people. But sometimes she was afraid. Sometimes she felt things, and heard things that she forced deep into a dark corner of her brain.

Aggary’s parents had taught her to toe the line, and not stand out. Currently, she sat carefully upright in her chair, her knees and ankles together, hands folded precisely in her lap. She had been conditioned to call as little attention to herself as possible. Her mother’s most important lessons had been to reinforce averageness as good behaviour. Aggary didn’t fidget, sigh or express emotions publicly. Any behaviour that stood out was dismissed, or as a child reprimanded. Everything about everyone was as identical as possible. Aggary had learned her lessons well. There was nothing outwardly remarkable about her, her clothes or physical appearance, in any way. This was the image she maintained. If her outward appearance reinforced this to everyone, they wouldn’t look any deeper. She could become invisible.

She’d taken the proffered job in the factory when she’d finished school, because it was expected that she would do so, not because she had aspirations in that field. Someone had to work there, and the place had been vacated by the last so that she could step into it. Each person worked a certain amount of time in their given field before becoming one of the old ones who looked after the young. Aggary didn’t remember how long that time was, but it didn’t matter. Someone would tell her when her time was finished.

Sitting in the hard chair for what seemed an endless amount of time, it was hard for Aggary not to let her mind wander, though. She’d been summoned here, from her job which she wasn’t able to complete while she sat here. She couldn't help but think of the ramifications. And to wonder what could have brought her to the attention of anyone in this building. She’d taught herself to keep her mind clear, her emotions calm and her expression bland. There was no way that anyone could expect that she was anything but normal. But this was a Government building. Having been called here, to be sitting here, meant that someone had noticed her. She’d failed.

The door across the hall opened and someone leaned out, just slightly and gestured to enter. Aggary was the only person waiting there, so she knew to follow. It was a long hallway, painted that awkward white that isn’t really white, but can’t be called any other colour either. She was taken past several other doors, and they turned several corners. Aggary felt very sure that she was much on the other side of the building from where she’d started, but there were no windows to confirm. She was silently ushered inside the only open door that she’d seen, and the door was closed behind her. The room was bare, except for two chairs and an ugly metal desk. She sat in one of the chairs, knees and ankles together and hands folded in her lap. The entire place felt lonely and empty.

It was only a few moments before the door re-opened. A man entered briskly, wearing a white coat, and sat behind the desk on the remaining chair. He opened a file in front of him and peered at it. Aggary tried not to seem curious. She tried not to move.

“Thank you for coming in. Aggary is it?” He waited for her to nod before pressing on. She was glad nodding was appropriate; she didn’t think she could speak. She didn’t know what was expected of her today. She didn’t know why she was here. “I’ll get straight to the point. We’ve noticed you. You seem to have something in particular that we’ve been looking for.”

Aggary fought the urge to defend herself. She also fought the urge to do something that would give her some idea what was going on. She could choose to… no, she couldn’t do anything. There was nothing she could do. She waited to find out what was happening, tried to be patient, while her brain began to race.

“Normally,” the man continued seeming not to notice Aggary’s inner turmoil, “I’d explain everything and we’d do some initial testing. But I don’t think that’s necessary here. Frankly, there’s no time.” He slapped the file closed and looked directly into Aggary’s eyes. “The truth is, I already know what you can do.” The way he looked at her made Aggary feel as if he could see every thought in her head. She tried not to flinch, and not to feel. “I want to know what you’re willing to do.”

Aggary’s stomach turned. He couldn’t know anything. She didn’t know, not really. She hadn’t admitted anything, or done anything, since she was a child. How could he know anything? But somehow she knew he wasn’t making it up. And deep in her brain a wall started to crumble. She began to sense something, feel something that wasn’t her own. She felt her skin tingle. “No.” It was almost a whisper.

“I’m sorry?” He leaned forward, his elbows on the desk, his expression not upset or angry, just inquisitive. “You will need further explanation. That will come. But let me assure you this is not a trick. I represent a small group of individuals who would very much like to help you realize your full potential. We believe in the old ways, before the wars. And we think that you could be an asset to that work. If you are willing.” He leaned farther forward, and said in a softer voice. “We knew your grandmother. She was a friend.” He took a leaf of paper from the folder, and placed it on the desk in front of her. “Please, take a moment to read this. Perhaps it will provide some clarity.”

Aggary’s head spun as she realized everything her Gran had told her was truth, not just silly stories. She’d been preparing her all along and Aggary had brushed it all off as ridiculous stories. The words on the paper swam, but she was able to take it in, and realize that her Gran had known all along that Aggary was special. And she’d always wanted more for her granddaughter.

She could feel the man watching her, silently, waiting. She knew this was something that would change her life. For good or bad, she didn’t know. The question was whether she was willing to open herself up, to take a risk. To separate herself from everything she’d ever learned.