Barcode

Part 1

The Coders came about when the movements for equality almost lead  America to becoming a socialist country and to serious debt and problems. They lead a rebellion and overthrew the old government. To stop chaos they organised everything with barcodes, even people. As time went on and the need for such organization decreased, all other barcodes used were scrapped, except the barcodes for humans. 

The Coders believe that everyone should be treated equal if they are equal in three categories, social,academic, and behavior. If you were beyond average, the government took you to what society believes is a better, more glamorous secret society. If you were below average, you were purified, whatever that means. Most people, like me, were average.

The barcodes are tattooed on your wrist when you're born. Occasionally, the skin will stretch and the tattoo will be difficult for the scanners to read, so they are redone every 5 years. The barcodes are scanned almost everywhere. When you wake up, get food, leave the house, go to someone else's house, go to school, get grades, get in trouble, talk to someone, and so much more. Installed above the barcode is a scanner. The scanner is used to scan whoever you're talking to's barcode when you properly greet one another through a handshake. Whenever your barcode is scanned, you get points in the three categories. This is how the government tells if you aren't average.

"BEEP BEEP BEEP" I quickly turned to my bedside scanner and scanned it, I didn't want to lose points for waking up late. I jumped out of bed and got dressed in society's uniform, a polo and long pants. I walked down stairs and scanned my barcode at the government-issued food server. I greeted my mother and father with the usual handshake and made small talk with them as we ate. I then went back up the stairs and scanned my toothbrush-scanner and brushed my teeth. As I left the house, I scanned my barcode at the door and left for school.

Upon my arrival to the school building, I scanned my barcode and walked to my locker. I saw my best friend, Ashley, and greeted her with a handshake as we began to talk. "Did you hear?" She looked very excited so I assumed it was something big. I shook my head. "Rumor has it that the government officials are checking our points today and taking away the above average people. God, I hope I'm above average, I want to be whisked away to a less dull and more exciting life. What about you?" In all honesty, I wouldn't be surprised if Ashley was above average in the social category with all the people she talks to.  "I don't really think I'm above average. I do everything that's average, so I don't see why I would be special." Ashley just shook her head disagreeing and walked to class. 

I scanned my barcode upon entry and took my seat. The teacher walked in with to government officials from the National Above/Under Average Relocation Program, or the N.A.U.A.R.P. She called us up to her scanner one by one, and one by one students sat back down knowing they were average. "Manaolana Wiwo" I walked up to her desk and scanned my barcode, waiting to be informed on my normality. The teacher suddenly got up and began whispering with the officials, that can't be good. "Ms.Wiwo, please come with us," both the officials grab my arms and guided my out of the room and into a limousine. The left me in the limo waiting for what felt like hours.

Finally, the officials came back from what I'm guessing was more scannings. There were 12 officials in the limo, including the driver. One sat next to me and simply said, "We're here to take you to a more fitting life, Ms. Wiwo. You're way above average in every category and do not fit in with these people. They are below you and we are bringing you to place where you are equal with everyone else." Sounds great, I guess.