The Movement

Chapter Seven - Part 4

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“Welcome, productive citizens!” greeted Troy.

He stood in the middle of the oval dining room. Towering above him, the endless floors reached higher and higher, seeming to never end. The Movement’s citizens peered down below over the crystal railings of each floor, listening to Troy’s welcoming address. His words resonated upward through the hundreds of ascending levels.

“Again, we thank you for your hard work and dedication. We offer our appreciation with this feast for each of you. For each of you, by attending, have committed yourselves to The Movement’s cause. And with that cause comes this initiation. The Movement requires each of you to consume a pill in honor of the new beginning of the better world,” he exclaimed.

He lifted the small pill with his outstretched arm high above his mouth to show the masses.

“By ingesting this lozenge, you promise and you solemnly swear your commitment to The Movement. Let us commit for world change! For world betterment!” he proclaimed, dropping the pill into his mouth.

The endless, escalating levels of citizens, leaning over the glass railings, moved synchronously in near-perfect unison. The citizens’ arms moved upwards, dropping the pill into their own mouths.

Troy finished swallowing the pill, then returned to his speech.

“You are now official members of The Movement!” announced Troy. “Let us dine! For tomorrow we mend this world!”

The palace halls erupted in exultant exclamation. Troy returned to the cabinet members’ dining table, placed in the direct center of the first floor, far below the upper tiers of the palace. Troy sat at one end of the table, President Barber facing him at the opposite end. The two made eye contact for a brief moment, long enough that President Barber offered a wink to Troy from across the table. Each member smiled with excitement as they chewed and banqueted. But each member knew the most difficult task lay ahead in the morning.