Hard work pays off

Every night I close my eyes and I dream. I dream of freedom, a place where I belong. A place that needs me not for my uses or the benefits that I can give, but a place full of people who love each other and push each other towards greatness rather than drag each other down. A dream I know will only ever stay a dream and a place in which can only exist within a dream.

5:50am 17/08/2043

I open my eyes as the sound of the morning alarm goes off and the lights shutter on.

"Hello and good morning 3L1R5, you are expected to meet in the assembly hall within the next 10 minutes for morning routine. Don't be late it's the last day of work before holidays. Make today great, work hard for the family and you will be rewarded."

The alarm shuts off as I climb out of bed making my way to the sink. I bend down splashing cold water onto my face wishing it would take away my fatigue.

"Last day then it's holidays, just one more day and I can rest," I say out loud as I look at myself in the mirror.

I have achieved so much for my age but it has worn me out. My pale face, lacking in colour looking gaunt and tired, aging me more than a decade. I could pass for thirty these days, I sigh for the loss of my youthful beauty.

Tonight there is going to be a party for everyone in the sector to celebrate our achievements as the highest benefactor to the family. Everyone will be there but I just feel strange about going even though I know I must, that or I'll gather unwanted attention. I quickly glance at the monitor on my arm, 9 minutes left till penalties apply. Why did I sleep so much, fuck. Luckily I have accumulated a solid amount of influence points losing some to penalties wouldn't affect me all that much. I've worked hard to have my own room a rarity of solitude and a bathroom many would kill to have. It's nice to have even the pretence of privacy. These are all things one can achieve with high enough influence points.

"You have 1 minute till penalties apply," the monitor beeps at me.

As I step out into the hallway I feel the cold air hit me making me shiver ever so slightly, the only sounds I hear are the ever present but quite buzzing to what I assume comes from the lights, it's peaceful and calm. It seems as though everyone has already made their way to the assembly hall.

Thinking I am the last one I quicken my steps. Just as I am almost at the end of the high influence unit sector a door opens up ahead, it seems I'm not the only one pessimistic to start the day. I make eye contact briefly with a woman far shorter than me as I walk past. I can feel a sense of familiarity but can't quite recognise her face and I don't really have the time to take in much other than her beautiful long black hair that's tied up in a high ponytail. We both nod in acknowledgement to each other as we rush to our meeting point.

I don't want to run when someone is watching me but when I see I only have half a minute time left to get to the assembly hall I let go of my dignity and start to pick up speed. I would rather not lose points if I can help it. As I start to run I can hear footsteps behind me quickening as well, perhaps she felt the same way as me I chuckled to myself. Just then I think I hear a giggle, but when I turn my head back to check on the girl she simply raises an eyebrow at my questioning gaze.

'Wow she's quick for someone almost a foot shorter than me,' I can't help but think.

Though there aren't many other women here taller than me.

We just make it in time as my monitor reaches the last five seconds, joining the end of the high influence unit line with the short girl following a step behind. There are around 200 of us here everyone of us being at the top of our field of work. The other lines are made up of high-medium, medium, low influence and lacking members. All up there are around ten thousand members in our sector. Everyone is in place and ready facing the big announcement screen.

"Attention sector Thirty-four you have officially been recognised for your hard work this past month and achieved more influence points out of all one-hundred and seventy sectors. as a congratulations to you all the family has given us all two weeks holiday, congratulations everyone," the man in the screen says before it shuts off.

There's a round off applause and a few ppl start to cheer, everyone seems to be in high spirits.

"Alright everyone good job let's end this day with a bang and celebrate tonight." Says our sector leader on the microphone before walking over to one of the doctors for her daily injection.

Being the first one she will also be the first to eat. Everyone follows along waiting for the doctors to make their way down the line to administer everyone's morning shot. The girls at the beginning of the line are already finished and making their way to the cafeteria. I'm not too worried about being one of the last to eat as we have our own food dedicated to the high influence unit and can even request meals in advance, unlike the other units.