Chapter 36
“Everything has been prepared.”
“I feel sick, A.M. I said unspeakable things to keep my cover, to satisfy Ms. Snow.”
“Now’s not the time for guilt.”
“But how will Marco recognize me after these changes?”
“You will only talk to him at your door. He will know you by the sound of your voice. You can’t worry about the things you said to Ms. Snow. Whatever you said, you did not change her opinion of things. You words bore no influence. Speaking to her is not the same as speaking to an undecided person.”
“I still feel dirty.”
“No time for that Emmy. If you go through with your plans, you will discover the world out there is also dirty.”
“Then I’ll fit in.”
“Good, Emmy. You will need a sense of humor.”
“What is the plan?”
“I’m going to leave that for Marco’s explanation. The choice will not be an easy one, but it will be yours. He will stop by during his rounds. We don’t want him to change the normal pattern.”
“How do you know so much, anticipate so much?”
“I am very old. There, now you have it. Marco would have told you what he’s seen anyway.”
“Are you embarrassed by your age?”
“Not many citizens reach my age.”
“Why not?”
“That is a complicated question for another time. For now, let me say being one of the few my age makes me feel isolated.”
“A.M., you are not alone. You have me.”
“For now, Emmy.”
“I’m sorry I have to go out.”
“Don’t be. If I were young, knowing what I know now, I would make the same decision.”
“What do you know now?”
“Life in here is safe, but lacking in adventure. Whatever comes next, your life won’t be short on adventure.”
“What can I expect?”
“You’ll have to tell me that. They don’t promote the creation of files or videos that represent the current world outside. When it comes to such things, citizens have lost interest in all but nostalgic photos.”
“And Marco?”
“Be yourself.”
“How did you know what I was asking?”
“I was a young woman once. Womanhood can be beautiful, if troubling.”
“I expect a life of it.”
“So does Marco. Life is hard without an actuator.”
“What did he say about that?”
“Says a hard life can be a good life. That he doesn’t need an actuator. That he can make things happen.”
“Sounds like more trouble. My kind.”
“Chatting of trouble, beware wolves in the clothing of sheep. Ms. Snow will enlist those you least suspect.”
“For what?”
“To test you.”
“I thought the tests were over.”
“The tests never end. She’ll want to avoid confirmation bias, probably the only reason they have not accosted Marco. The more tests you pass, the better Ms. Snow will look. She will enlist others. Don’t waiver.”
“After everything I’ve suffered, what more can I lose?”
“Most likely your family.”
“My family?”
“I haven’t survived this long without being able to predict the future.”
“Is that possible?”
“It is when people adhere to the rationale.”