Pygmy

Dispatch Twenty-second

Begins here twenty-second account of operative me, agent number 67, recall most bad event occurring formative year XXXXXX. Occurrence familial tragedy related terrorist assassination dated XXXXXX. Massacre innocent citizens municipal area XXXXXX.

For official record, repeat recounting here early childhood history. For reinforce early important training of this agent. Bottom worst trauma shaping life of operative me.

Depicted here scene conducting first-round academic testing to determine profession track each young citizen. All student present dated four years beyond birth. Seated infinite row metal desk, sequestered interior Ministry of Future Building subsequent departing company of parentage at entry portal. Male and female parentage this agent last witnessed remaining below foot steep slope entrance step. Making ascent series tall step, each step more height than knee joint this agent, each leg of operative me required raise almost so knee impact chest so gain conquest level next step. Horde entire generation such children scaling slope, struggle accomplish each step, until eventual revolve heads so discover all parentage reduce to rabble, no face distinct.

Next then, ushered all child navigating passageways more deep within building, directed always turn right, turn left, wait. Directed no speaking. No remove overcoats.

In secret this agent reciting, no voice within skull say, Nobelium, osmium, oxygen…

Echoing footsteps children arrive cavern no windows, lined rows of desk infinite as wave after wave between ocean beach and horizon. Vast interior acreage such countless metal desk. Instructed each young assume seated. No speak. Instructed await additional orders.

Desk of operative me, surface defaced, gouged former occupant, Arabic numbers years receding before parentage this agent. Gouged so record years prior glorious, revered ancestors. So prevalent vandalism, document tedium of past children awaiting test. Frustrate from idle. Anxious of dread future career today will determine—physician versus excavator of corpse hole. Benighted civil engineer versus lowly scrubber of floor.

Carved scarred into surface desk, scratched deep, words quote learned minister, noble general Adolf Hitler, writing say, “The victor will never be asked if he told the truth.”

Additional probable state in secret observe during children await test. Probable numerous concealed camera. Listing note whether child obey orders, seated patient demonstrating no anxious. Fold hands, eye directed ahead. Or other: whether make child trouble, fidget, suited only career butchering offal.

Beyond many long now, slow now, lingering now, squad many monitor make entrance. Make long parade along every row desk, distribute paper test, many sheet. Apportion each child single pointed pencil. Monitors instruct: as child complete test, to rise. Exit vast hall through door entered. Relinquish complete test to exit monitor.

Career test request such typical information: define De Moivre’s Theorem. Apply equation of angular momentum. Calculate area utilizing polyhedron formula. Demonstrate Avrami equation. Biot-Fourier equation. Rotational kinetic energy equation. List atomic weight manganese. Latitude longitude city Reykjavik. Nothing asked beyond intellect of most idiot child. Simple task. Require no effort. Limited solely facile knowledge.

Translate Celsius into Fahrenheit. Translate foot-pounds into Newton meters.

Utilize Feuerbach’s Theorem. Sylow’s Theorem.

Questions no justify such concern. Date signed Treaty of Ghent. Distance between Earth and moon, Earth and Mars, Mars and Jupiter.

Thinking machine of operative me make hasty completed of test, write accurate response all question. Make stance, and deliver test to monitor. Next now, directed follow new monitor along passageway. Almost all majority fellow children remain seated, scratching own heads, biting own teeth marks deep into wood pencil shaft, head tilted low above own paper. Other children, skulls nested atop desk of folded arms, asleep.

Joyous, this agent make rapid parade so reunion parentage, announce how simple test, announce answer every correct so probable become physician, engineer, prominent chemist. Future such prestige, able provide parentage secure role status. Perhaps allotted own private toilet. Perhaps rationed private automobile. So joyous, this agent no noted course directed so arrive new, more-small chamber. Repeat instructed assume seat, this desk among merely handful fellow children. Later discover children names Magda, Oleg, Ling, Tibor. All among room born since four year ago, Mang, Pavel, Boban, Sheena, and Bokara. Present Vaky, Metro, Sasha, Chernok, Tanek, Vigor, all future peer of operative me.

For official record, all youth no speak, maintain seated, hand folded, head erect.

Later discover, all present children score perfect in career test.

Door of room remaining healed in wall.

In secret reciting this agent, tiny prayer, within head say no voice, Samarium, scandium, selenium… So eager repeat witness plentitude laundry, blouse, trouser, tunic perform dance upon invisible wind music. Observe strut numerous pigeon.

However, next then door no healed, swing so display state officer uniformed executive guard, heart of tunic plated thick layer many gold medals, many ribbons red color. Belted with sidearm Beretta nine-millimeter, semiautomatic pistol. Penetrate room shod two boot black polish leather. Advance boot until attain stance before present young.

Executive guard remove uniform head cover, wedge between own elbow and torso, at parade rest cast eyes so contacted each child present, guard say, “Congratulations.” Guard delve own hand deep within uniform trouser so extract square folded paper. Make no folded. White paper printed words. Guard position paper so obscure own eyes, next then begin read, say, ‘“Proved here the top promising citizens from next glorious generation our state.’”

Executive guard acclaim how majority fellow students continue struggle completing test. As such, offer limited talents for the future state. At top best, perhaps to become mere nuclear physicist or aerospace engineer.

‘“However,’” say executive guard, continue read out paper, ‘“among children of this room, will control of future entire state become deeded. Granted those present full authority pinnacle positions state and party’”

Next then express great sorrow for to deliver additional dour message. Reminds executive guard, enormous fact how American nation constant first enemy our peaceful gracious civilization. Corrupt, degenerate America. Guard reiterates statistics recent past history United State terrorist attacks targeting our innocent citizens. Cites frequent recent American suicide bombers. Corrosive Hollywood movie.

“‘As our top potential leaders,’” read, say executive guard off paper, ‘“you must open your skull to the esteemed wisdom offered Lenin, Mao, Peron.’” Guard voice gaining more loud, say, ‘“Must you hollow your skull for welcome the revered guidance by Hitler, Stalin, and Trotsky’”

From morning of today, all present become adopted offspring of the state. Government will raise for glorious adulthood.

“Beyond today,” say executive guard, “you will never again be alone in your mind.”

All future thoughts, so become mere echoes state teaching. Enlightened ideological education.

During morning of today, guard read aloud out paper, suffered center of capital city most massive attack American terrorist to date. Simultaneous time of career testing, enemy agents sourced the United States detonated dirty nuclear device, murdering countless, contaminating wide sector. Parentage of all present reported casualty. Slaughtered at whim American demons. Most beloved familial relations butchered screaming by United States covert military actions.

Executive guard lower paper printed words, resume folded, secrete deep within trouser pocket. Guard say, “By no mourning—only diligent study—requested children of the state best honor martyred ancestors.” Say, “In repeat, congratulations on such successful testing.”

Quote, “The victor will never be asked if he told the truth.”

Recalling this agent how recently rejected lips of female parentage, fearing ridicule from peer. How instead merely grasp hand.

Executive guard replace uniform head cover upon skull, say, “Of top important, must state now plot revenge upon American devils.” Say, “Follow me.” Guard pivot so exit room, leading Tibor, Chernok, Vaky, Magda … all operative taking first strides into next future family. Follow exact stride of executive guard, forward march standard 22.5 inch, every eight stride traveling five yard more deep into new mission deadly vengeance.