Speaker Society- The Secret

Forward

     My twin brother Harry and I stood terrified in Deputy Sanders' office waiting to have our futures decided. I looked around at his office. There were large tapestries on the walls, most likely to cover a bad paint job, from what I saw of it. A slightly shabby green rug lay on the floor, with a large, rather scuffed up mahogany desk in the middle of it. At the desk sat Deputy Sanders. He was a stocky, round bellied man, with a beak like nose that dwarfed his other features into looking far too small for his round face. I tried not to laugh. Then, the man loudly and unnecessarily cleared his throat to get our attention and began to speak.

     "Harry and Matt, you have both reached a VERY important turning point in your lives,"  he boomed, putting far to much emphasis on the word very. You have reached the age at which the children of the Kingdom of Elkhart are apprenticed. Shall we start with Harry?" My twin stepped forward.

     "Harry, what craft do you wish to specialize in," the deputy demanded on a booming tone.

     "I'd like to... Iwanttobeaknightplease!" Harry spoke so fast that I  had to stifle a laugh. Then, remembering my own fear, I sobered again. Poor Harry.

     "Speak WAY slower," the general ordered, still unnecessarily loud.

"Sorry." Harry took a shaky breath. "I...would...like...to...be...a...knight...sir." This time, Harry spoke slowly and deliberately, voice trembling slightly.

"SIR NICK!" I jumped. The deputy had bellowed so loudly and so suddenly that I
feared  I would have a heart attack! A side door that I had previously failed to notice banged open, and a tall, athletic looking man stepped in.

"This one, deputy?" Sir Nick had a quiet voice, much unlike that of Deputy Sanders.
He gestured to Harry. After a nod of conformation, Sir Nick looked Harry over, and shrugged. Harry seemed to hold his breath. "He's got the right build, and seems to have a good work ethic, from the looks of his reports. Come along, Harry, You've got some training to do." Harry, looking relieved, followed his new mentor out the door.

The Deputy looked expectantly at me, and suddenly I realized that I was on my own. Harry was no longer there to support me, as I had been for him. Determined not to make Harry's mistake, I spoke clearly, saying the words that would change my life forever.

     "I want to be a Speaker."