Tunnel Vision

Chapter 4- What They Lack

Rowan paced back and forth across the slate-colored carpet of Gray's bedroom. At least Gray was kind enough to allow her to sleep in his bed while he slept on the couch behind the large double doors of his study. Back and forth, back and forth she walked, a caged tiger longing to run and do as it pleased. She looked around the room, a mirror that reflected back to her an image of this world. Everything gray, black, or white and nothing but technology. Instead of a desk with a pencil and paper, an electronic printer that wrote papers and documents for you. Instead of a painting on the wall, an electronic, interactive map of the school. Rowan looked at this map now, seeing nothing but diagram after diagram of room after room.
Test Room 1, Test Room 2, Test Room 3, Confiscation Room? Rowan tapped the picture of this room, her curiosity peaked.
"The Confiscation Room," a monotone, computerized voice began to say, "is where all illegal objects ever taken from any student at Tunol School of Work and Technology have been taken. Only authorized personnel are permitted to enter this room to store any confiscated items." Rowan, pondering what could possibly be illegal in this world, turned around, biting her lip in thought.
That's it! My phone must be down there. But why would it be illegal to have a phone? Rowan began to pace in thought again and as she reached the wall, she turned around, eyeing something under the bed. A small ray of daylight shone between the blinds of the closed window, playing across whatever it was that was hidden under the bed. Rowan walked over to investigate.
She got down on her hands and knees and wedged herself under the bed. In the very corner, just out of reach, was a small silver box.
Anything could be in there. She extended her arm, her fingers just caressing the tip if the ornate lid of the delicate box.
She almost grasped it when she heard the door open and the low voice of Gray ask, "What are you doing?"
Rowan thought quickly. "Trying to entertain myself by counting how many dust bunnies are under this bed." She felt strong hands grip her ankles and pull her out from under the bed. Gray looked down at her, his face devoid of emotion. Rowan decided to break the awkward silence by saying, "Well there's nothing else to do in here."
"Well, allow me to ease your wandering mind by giving you a tour of the school. Then, we'll meet Dr. Simon so we can begin our investigation on how to return you home," Gray said as he helped Rowan to her feet. He immediately walked towards the door, Rowan in close pursuit.
*****
"And this is one of our official testing rooms," Gray said as he motioned to the room full of different devices and computers.
"What exactly do you test?" Rowan asked as she looked through the glass window at the group of stone-faced students busy at work.
"The students enroll to be tested on their strongest skills and the result given is a job or task they will fulfill in society. They are enrolled in classes based on the results," Gray responded.
"So, basically, they come here to figure out what they are supposed to do for the rest of their lives?"
"Yes. We always hope they are busy in the work force by the time they are twenty."
"How old are you?"
"Eighteen."
"In my world, you are just barely considered an adult by the time you are eighteen. Teenagers like you and me are still kids, you know? And doesn't this whole testing thing kind of defeat what life is all about? I mean, isn't life about finding yourself and what you're capable of and to learn from your mistakes along the way?"
Gray turned and looked down at Rowan when they heard another voice come from behind them. "That's the silliest thing I've ever heard," the voice said. "Where are you from?"
"She's from Earth," Gray said as they both turned to face a stout, middle-aged woman holding several folders in her arms. "Rowan, this is Ms. Sloane, our secretary. Ms. Sloane, this is Rowan Iris." "Hmm," Ms. Sloane nodded stiffly and began to walk off to wherever her filing cabinet was located. A small giggle erupted from Rowan who tried to hide it, but failed. The corners of her mouth went up and Gray looked at her, confused. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"I was just laughing because I was thinking, doesn't her nose look long enough to stick into everyone else's business?" Rowan responded, continuing to laugh.
"Laughing?" Gray asked.
"Yeah," Rowan responded, just as confused as Gray was, "because it was funny." Gray continued to gaze vacantly down at her.
He doesn't know what laughter is. That's the problem with this world! Nobody knows what emotion is!
Gray suddenly looked down at his watch. "It's time to meet Dr. Simon now. You'll have to show us where you entered this world. Let's go," he said as he began to lead the way.