Elevator Talk

The lobby of Saturn-Voyde felt cold and lifeless as I entered the building and went straight to the elevators. The gray lifeless walls were indeed getting to me somewhat, as they've always been like this, even before the Tsunami.

My keycard was strapped around my neck as I approached the gate, next to the elevators. Another DataPod was floating around, it's laser sensor scanning my posture from top to bottom. No longer did Decou have the punch clock mechanism that most workers would have long back then.

Here we were, in a society where drones were flying around. They certainly were different depending on its usage, in addition to its color. The one in front of me was covered in a shade of cornflower blue with black stripes.

PROCEED, it said.

The elevators here weren't just usable by anyone that barges in here. That's where my keycard came in. As I pressed it against the sensor of the elevator, I punched in the button to lead me to the 10th floor.

The elevator went down first. I sighed as I had a good feeling why. When the doors opened, I saw a well dressed man with an extremely clean face. He didn't have a speck of facial hair anywhere, not even if you had to pull up a 64x or more telescope to look at it.

He pressed his own keycard into the sensor, pressed floor button number 51, before he proceeded to stand a few inches away from me, keeping his distance.

"You're here early." the Higher employee spoke. His suit was black, tailored as well. I wouldn't be surprised if that thing cost a thousand Decoun dollars or more. "Which is a good thing of course, even for people working at your row of floors."

"Yes sir." I said in a respectable manner.

I heard him chuckle. "Relax. I respect an early bird." I caught him looking at his diamond covered watch. The watch itself could reflect blinding light judging by how clear it was. "Funny, once a Higher end employee was late, mainly late because he had to take his pregnant wife to the hospital. The Director saw it fit that he'd be suspended for at least 2 weeks."

I felt like raising an eyebrow, but I did not look at the Higher employee.

"People should learn the consequences of things such as marriage. Not that you're not allowed to be married whilst you have a job, but unfortunately, it doesn't really much move the country forward."

The employee continued. "People talk about how Mortiqar is doing very little to control the consumption of Blue Moon when in reality there are other things to consider about, like those damn VR Entertainment videos."

As the employee said this, the elevator came to a stop. It shook the both of us as its stop was violent, almost forceful. A large thud was heard from the outside, prompting my heart to jump out of my body.

"Dammit." the employee said as took out a small microphone from his suit pocket. After he pressed a button on the remote connected to the microphone, he spoke. "This is Kyle." he started. "Would you kindly tell me what the hell just happened?"

"Apologies for the inconvenience Mr. Kyle." a voice came out from the speaker just above the elevator doors. To my left was a vertical screen that generally showed commercials of Decoun products; movies, food, cosmetics and the occasional cars.

"Then get it fixed! An employee's heading to the 10th floor, while I'm heading to the 45th." the Higher employee yelled at the intercom.

These screens were in every single elevator within this building. Each had different short commercials, but there was always bound to be one in four messages that were posted on that screen, and it wasn't predicted which one would show exactly.

The message that showed today on the screen took turns in terms of words, it read the following:

REMEMBER

YOU ARE THE NATION'S WAY FORWARD

ANY FORM OF SLOTH OR LAZINESS IS UNACCEPTABLE

BE A CONTRIBUTING MEMBER SOCIETY TODAY

"People should drill that into their heads." the Higher employee, Kyle spoke. "Say, what's your name, sir?"

"Elotro." I spoke. I never gave my full name, or my surname for that matter. It just felt off putting.

The employee gave a small smile, I swore I saw light come out of his teeth, cause they looked like they were as shining as a newly cleaned glass window. "Chevarin Kyle." he extended his arm to shake.

Normally, Higher employees were up there in the higher floors, also they almost never interacted with employees such as myself, those from floors 30 to below.

"I've heard of a couple of dedicated workers to Saturn-Voyde." Kyle said aloud. "Those who clock themselves in the morning as well as having zero complaints on what they have to do, and what they're told to do. Mind telling me what you do on the 10th floor?"

"I file reports for security." I explained calmly. "Sometimes I move from floor to floor for surveillance."

"Someone who doesn't rely on guards to make sure everything runs smooth. I like that." Kyle spoke. "Hang on, I just remembered. 10th floor. Wait, don't tell me, that bastard Regan is running the circus there right?"

"He's not the head of the division there."

"I want to believe you, but unfortunately I've heard some talk in the cafeteria. Some asshole is doing up to no good in the offices when their boss isn't around, if you get what I'm saying." Kyle raised his eyebrows.

"I understand."

"How long have you been working for Saturn-Voyde, Elotro?" I responded with a year, almost two. Kyle nodded and asked "How would you like a change? Maybe go up 10 or 20 floors?"

"I think something like that requires some talk with my boss."

"I'll try and talk with the Director, and maybe he'll talk with your Supervisor to see what can be done about your position." Kyle replied before he felt a surge of the elevator. It started to go back up again. "Finally!" he said. The elevator was moving slowly at the moment, but surely.

Aw we passed the 5th floor, I looked at Kyle. "Mr. Kyle. Mind if I ask your opinion on some things?"

"Go ahead. Shoot."

"You think something should be done about Blue Moon?" when I asked that, Kyle tilted his head. "I mean, as a fellow Decoun, maybe help those who are sickened by it."

"I agree with the concept of a fellow Decoun, living in this nation full of life. Unfortunately there's an old saying in the nation, when a certain apple is not in good shape and can't be better, throw it into the bin." Kyle placed his hands. "I hate to sound like an asshole Elotro, but it is what it is. Once somebody gets a hold of Blue Moon, it'll be hard to get rid of it. Heck, to think Mortiqar's started to have a recall on it."

I looked at Kyle. "A recall?"

"I'm not exactly sure, I've heard the stories. But who am I to manage? Think about it Elotro, this nation needs contributing members of society, not addicts like those stuck on Blue Moon.

"Floor ten." said a robotic female voice. The doors opened and across the wall that had a large number 10 on it.

"I see. Thank you Mr. Kyle."

"Call me Chevarin, or Kyle. Whichever one works for you." he said that as I went out. "Remember, do your assigned part and your part only."

As the doors closed on him, he said one more thing. "The less you get involved in other people's business, the better!"