Chapter 9, Page 73 - 74
A Different Kind of Love
Jim was just about ready to leave for work the following morning when his wall screen lit up.
"Another batch of Newolds is scheduled to arrive this afternoon, Jim." Marion's crisp,no nonsense voice informed him.
Caught off guard, Jim could only hope his supervisor was not reading his thoughts. They were not complimentary.
"Okay, Marion," he responded and, just like that, she was gone and the wall screen became dark again.
He left his personal space, stepped onto the travel platform and arrived just outside the main entrance of the Reawakening Centre. He used his pass and in no time at all he was in his work area prepared to do whatever needed to be done to get yet another lot of Newolds settled into their new environment. Breaking the good posture rule, he slumped in the chair behind his neat and organized desk and awaited the delivery of the new data files.
At last an efficient Midescent stepped off the travel platform and handed the records over to him. Jim knew it was important to appear alert at all times but especially when at his desk in his work space. He dismissed the Clerical and made greater effort to straighten himself up in his chair. It was impossible to know when The Powers would decide to keep him or anyone under observation.
He scanned the files pertaining to the new arrivals and noted there were nine Newolds to be put through initial inspection that day. With a sigh, he realized that this meant he would soon have sixteen Newolds to monitor, study, and guide. Sixteen was considered to be a very heavy, demanding work load. Jim flirted with the flickering thought that he simply did not want to do the job. He knew exactly what he wanted. His greatest desire was to focus his attention on one Nufem Newold. He wanted to devote all his time and energy to Linda. But, of course, Jim knew that was out of the question.
One did not live on Notsew without knowing that it was the obligation of each and every citizen to justify his existence. In Jim's case this meant that it was his duty to apply analytical thought to situations as they arose, especially those which seemed in any way unusual or troublesome. It was the job of every Analytical Prime to devise new and better methods of dealing with the Newolds. It was also their responsibility to do everything in their power to create a smooth transition of the Newolds to the Midescent phase.
These were some of the thoughts Jim was processing when, out of the blue, with sudden clarity he exclaimed aloud to the empty space. "Why, that's it! I believe I've found a way to postpone Linda's indoctrination!"
He was startled by his curious and abnormal verbal outburst. He trusted no one had heard him. His eyes darted in all directions while he hoped no one was paying any attention to him. Jim knew he was walking on dangerous ground. He was putting his own stable position on Notsew into jeopardy. He also knew that if he didn't start doing a better job of censoring his own behaviour he may soon find his head on the proverbial chopping block.
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