Chapter 29
“I don’t like the way you spoke to Skip.”
“What are you talking about, Ms. Fields?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about, and you wouldn’t make me repeat the question if I were Ms. Snow.”
“You’re not Ms. Snow.”
“I deserve your respect just the same.”
“Then earn it.”
“Don’t talk that way to me, Amelia. You’re walking on thin ice. I’ve been very generous with you up until now.”
“How am I on thin ice?”
“For invading Skip’s privacy. You crossed the line.”
“Invading his privacy? What about my conversation with him? That was a private discussion.”
“Between you and him, but he has a right to share.”
“I’m having a hard time keeping track of when these rights apply and when they don’t.”
“That’s why you need to apply yourself to internalize the rationale. Then it will all come naturally. You won’t have to work so hard. It’ll be good for you as an individual. I know what individualism means to you. Efficiency rewards individuals the same as it rewards City.”
“I may be looking for different rewards.”
“Do you want discuss those rewards with Ms. Snow?”
“I’m doing my nightlies. When you chatted me, I was doing my nightlies. I was doing my nightlies before that. What is the problem? I shouldn’t have to chat with you if I’m fulfilling my obligation.”
“The code states that, if a rehabilitating student violates a core element of the rationale such as another’s privacy right, then we are compelled to subject that student to oral testing.”
“But we aren’t speaking. How is this oral?”
“The code defines oral to include chat.”
“And how did I violate Skip’s privacy?”
“By asking him about his parents’ view.”
“What not. But don’t make me speak with Ms. Snow.”
“Why?”
“She gives me a headache and makes me question things.”
“What kind of things, Amelia? Here’s a chance to share.”
“No, don’t make me do it. I don’t want to speak with her.”
“If you don’t confide in me, I’ll have no choice.”
“Don’t do it, Ms. Fields. Please.”
“Then speak to me.”
“We are on chat. Stop saying, ‘speak to me.’”
“The words are now synonymous in City.”
“I don’t care.”
“You deny the meaning of words?”
“That sounds more serious than I intended.”
“Well, you better start taking things seriously or else.”
“Or else what?”
“You know what.”
“Say it, Ms. Fields.”
“Don’t make me be inefficient.”
“Go ahead, Ms. Fields. Live a little. Be inefficient. Trash a couple words.”
“Do you know what you are promoting?”
“No. Why don’t you tell me?”
“A crime against reason.”
“Once again, that sounds too serious. I just meant to say, don’t count your words.”
“Words are valuable.”
“So is the time it takes to count them.”
“There are programs for that.”
“And those programs require energy.”
“Amelia, an elliptical can easily provide that energy while serving the dual purpose of keeping its
user in good physical condition.”
“Not in here.”
“That is the exception that proves the rule.”
“Then, Ms. Fields, I do have a question.”
“What is it?”
“If the use of the elliptical provides guilt free energy, then why does it matter if a person splurges on words?”
“I’ve had enough of this, little girl. I’m referring the remainder of our chats to Ms. Snow.”
“Go ahead. Refer me already. You coward.”