2020

The Horse: Part I

        "Hey, check out the group of Bleeding,"  Naor quietly panted.  That is the name new men and women receive when they first enter the caves.

        A group of about seven or eight paraded through the dimly-lit, dank hallway.  On either side of the procession there were four guards, two on each end, weilding stun batons and dressed in appropriate uniforms.  Their steps echoed along the stone walls with the beat of pickaxes, the hum of electric lights, and the breath of dying men.

        "Ready to pay off your debt?" a miner scoffed.  Everybody's marching paused.  "Word to the wise," he continued, "Ask for Coin."  A guard stepped out of the group and seized the miner's torn shirt.

        "Work forces will remain silent on duty!"  he shouted.  "Do I make myself clear?"

        The miner quickly nodded.

        "Good".  The guard let go of the work uniform, but then quickly swung his fist and bashed the miner's head.  He fell to the ground, and the guard marched back into the group.  The miners started digging again, and the line of Bleeding marched out of view.  Enoch looked up from the ground and glanced at Naor.

        "You know," he breathed, "maybe it's better that they know what it's like from the start."

        "Maybe," Naor replied as he studied an apple-sized quartz in his hand, "but anyone could make this place better.  If someone made it worse then I'd be impressed."

        At that moment the monitor in the corner buzzed.  Everyone set down their pickaxes and shovels.

        "Well, you might just get your wish."  Enoch whispered.

        An announcer's voice reverberated through the caves.

        "Attention!  Attention!  Our great leader, Az Lysander, will now make an important announcement!"  There was a slight pause.  During this brief moment of silence you could have sworn you heard everyone in the whole complex sigh at the same time.  "Please take this opportunity to remain standing and salute to show respect to your savior."

        Everyone took this opportunity to sit down, except the man who got hit by the guard.  He was already on the ground so he took the opportunity to give the television screen a different kind of "salute".  Enoch noticed this.  He didn't think that that was the right way to revolt.

        A small fanfare of fake trumpets blared over the speakers signaling, more often than not, a new problem that the people would have to deal with.

        "Greatings and good afternoon my children!"  a glib, fatherly voice spoke.  "It has come to my attention that there are those among you who are trying to cause civil unrest.  I apologize for their misbehavior, and I can assure you these instances won't be repeated.  I have decided to, once again, double the guard."

        A chorus of monotone hurrahs rose and fell.

        "I'm glad you're all happy.  Effective immediately you are now all much safer.  Farewell!"