The Receiver

Former Receiver

I moved hastily and stood before the man bowing slightly "I'm Noah sir"

"I know" waving his hand telling me to stop bowing "welcome Receiver of Memory"

I recognized the man, he was the Elder who seemed separate from the others at the Ceremony, though he was dressed in the same special clothing that only Elders wore.

His eyes look pale self consciously that mirrored my own

"Sir i apologize for my lack of understanding"

I waited for the man to speak but he never did, after a moment I decided to speak up

"You are the receiver of memory, I'm only was just assigned, I mean selected. I'm not anything at all. Not yet"

The man looked at me thoughtfully silently. It was a look that combined interest,curiosity,concern and perhaps a little sympathy.

"Beginning today, this moment at least to me your the receiver" as the man spoke with a deep voice

The man was wrinkled, and his eyes through piercing in their unusual lightness seemed tired. The flesh around them was darkened into shadowed circles.

The old were always given the highest respect. The man smiled as he touched his sagging flesh on own face with amusement.

"I am not actually old as I look" which surprised me

"This job has aged me, I know I look as I should be scheduled for release very soon but actually I have a good deal of time left. I was pleased through when you were selected. It took them a long time. The failure of the previous selection was ten years ago. I need all the strength I have left to train you, we have hard and painful work to do. Please sit down"

The man closed his eyes and continued to speak about the time he was selected, even sympathizing.

After awhile he opened his eyes again talking about the receiver before him. Finally asking if I had questions.

" I know sir I have read the instructions" I explained

In my mind I had loads of questions I wanted to ask. As many of there were books. But I didn't ask a single one.

The man sighed seeming to put his thoughts in order then started speaking again.

"Sir I apologize for interrupting but I would be very interested to hear your story of life and to listen to your memories"

The man waved his hand "No apologizes in this room. We haven't have time" I couldn't understand why it was so important.

The man shook his head "No, no I'm not being clear. It's not my past, not my childhood that I must transmit to you"

He leaned back resting his head against the back of the upholstered chair. "It's the memories of the whole world" he said with a sigh.

I frowned I couldn't understand anything, I was just confused. What did he mean the entire world. Elsewhere? Beyond....

"I'm sorry sir I don't understand exactly. I'm not smart enough. I don't know what you mean"

He continued to talk about a world outside of this community that I haven't known yet. The more he spoke the more questions I had.

He finally stood up and moved towards the wall where the speaker was. It was the same sort of speaker that occupied a place in every dwelling.

But one thing was different it had a switch then the man deftly snapped to the end that said off.

I gasped, to have the power to turn the speaker off? It was an astonishing thing, then he came back and sat down in the chair.

"Close your eyes, relax" I felt worried what was going to happen

" I'm going to transmit the memory of snow" placing his hands on my bare back. I closed my eyes until it was pitch black, Relaxing in the chair.