Morning all and welcome to the final prompt of the week. That’s right Friday. I for one am very happy to have reached the end of the week. It was a good one, but I am quite honestly exhausted. So let’s move into our morning writing prompt and see what comes out of it. Timers at the ready and …Go.
I like these little sentences. They provide no real direction so you can just sort of take it and run anywhere. I started with condescending praise and then I think I am going to go with someone more or less sent to infiltrate the system. I’ll need to think of something but to me this idea leans more sci fi than anything else. At least in my mind.
Friday, February 10th: You did well.
“You did well,” the complement was given and I bit my tongue to keep from responding. It was with great effort that I kept my face, calm , controlled, neutral. It was a struggle from the start and only grew more difficult as he continued to praise my performance.
I did what I had to do because I was given no options. I hadn’t wanted to participate in the program but when offered this or the alternative, I chose this. It was a matter of self-preservation. Now all I needed was to hear my scores. If I did well enough then I would have fulfilled my end of the contract and I would be cut loose.
He continued on with his praise, talking about how I turned my life around. How I finally understood discipline. How I was now on a better track. It was hypocritical and self-serving. My achievements were a feather in his cap, a statistic he could trot out when more funding was needed. I was offered the choice because he thought I would do well and look good on his accounts.
I knew more about how his funding worked than he could ever have suspected. Still I maintained my calm as he wound down. Finally he got to the all important papers. He took them from his desk.
“I know you have earned these, but we will be sorry to see you go,” He said. “I know that you are now free to leave whenever you want, but we do have a place for you here if you would consider staying.”
He paused waiting for a response.
He still had my papers in his hand.
“I will consider it,” I said. I forced the words out, pleased that they left my lips in a neutral tone, all distain remaining inside.
His face split into a grin. “Excellent.” He reached over to his desk and picked up a second packet of papers. These were encased in a blue envelope. The crest of his department stamped on the front.
“This is the offer we would like you to consider as well as your final papers. You will find a copy of your scores in there as well if you would like to see how well you did on all of you courses, including the final tests.”
He held out the file and I carefully raised my hand to take it, trying not to look too eager.” Thank you,” I forced myself to say as my hand closed around the paperwork. There was more I wanted to say, but I kept it inside. I would not be free until I was out of this place. I could not afford to speak my mind yet.
His smile grew more friendly. “You are welcome,” he said warmly. “who would have thought we’d end up on such good terms?” He moved to the door. “Regardless of your decision, you will be given a week out of this facility. You will need to pack quickly as your transport is leaving in an hour.”
I nodded, turned and walked towards the door, He opened it for me and once I was through closed it behind me. I kept everything bottled up inside as I stepped quickly towards the dorms. I didn’t have much to pack as most of what I owned had to be left behind. There were a few things I had gathered in my five years here. I knew they still didn’t amount to a while lot, but I was taking no risk with missing my transport.
The others were still in class so the dorms were emptied as I arrived. I was glad. I would be required to offer no false claims of friendship. I filled my bag quickly making certain the papers were inside. A quick survey of the room let me know I left nothing behind. I lifted the bag to my shoulder and headed down to the transportation zone. As I waited, I kept my mind a careful blank. There were cameras here and I would show no emotions. Not here. I would give them no clue as to my thoughts unti I was long gone and even then, I would keep myself and my thoughts far away.
Ten til Midnight 