The Second Dimension

Dr Orway's Lecture

When Rose went to work the next day, a letter with a silver C on it was waiting for her on her desk.

With trembling hands, she opened the letter.

Rose was so hoping it was her own franking.

'Number 2475001,

You are invited to go to Centre 6 as soon as possible'.

Rose's heart overflowed with joy. She was free. She had been summoned for her emancipation!

She would miss Lily and Jacob, of course, but that was nothing compared to the price of freedom!

Waving the ticket high in the air, Rose ran through the glass corridors of Hywel's. The group of boys Rose had seen at Jacob's bar that morning were looking enviously at the fold, their stained hands pressed against the glass separating them from the corridor.

Others were looking at the envelope, though less friendly. Their gazes went beyond obsession with the promised letter to hatred of this young girl who had already received her franking letter.

Rose couldn't help but strut her stuff in front of her unsympathetic colleagues. It was too good to believe! Leaving Proxima!

Rose ran out of the factory. Even the Grande-Rue seemed more colourful than usual.

The pounding of her footsteps on the cobblestones seemed to grow fainter and fainter.

Free!

She was free!

Rose pushed open the glass doors, bursting with excitement.

On the large marble steps, Eve was waiting. Her fingers tapped on the smooth surface of the white railing. Her white suit was a little too tight - God, it was hot - and she was getting really impatient. She suppressed a sigh of relief when Rose burst into the hall.

-2475001. This way,' she called out to her.

Rose and Eve went up to the twelfth floor, which was Eve's office.

Eve leaned against the white desk and looked at Rose for a minute.

-You're not very thick,' she said.

Rose swallowed a hot retort. At the same time, considering what she ate, she didn't have the opportunity to put on extra pounds.

-But you'll do,' said Eve, crossing her arms.

Rose's heart sank. What if she wasn't franked?

-4569802!' called Eve. Hurry up!

Three knocks hit the varnished oak door, which opened to reveal a girl in a blue jacket. Embarrassed, she met Rose's questioning gaze.

Rose's lips began to curl:

'Lily, what are you doing here?'

Lily, still standing stiff as a board in the doorway, gave her an embarrassed smile in reply.

-4569802, I called to ask you to look at 2475001's outfit again. There's no way she's going to get out in those rags,' said Eve. I'll put a cloakroom at your disposal.

Eve left the room and the automatic door closed behind her.

-So I'm not going to be franked,' Rose murmured.

Lily moved closer to Rose and put her hand on her shoulder.

-I'm sorry you had to think that, but you're not. You're going to the annual medical conference.