Monochromatic

4:17 p.m.

She sat with her legs crossed, a neat pile of paperwork sitting on her lap. Her pen tapped eagerly against them making a small click noise.

Suddenly, the door opened, revealing a woman wearing a grey dress.

"Mrs. Wescott. You're late."

"I'm so sorry, I had to work late and then I had to pick up Addy from daycare."

"We understand. But please, appointments are appointments. Try not to be late. If you'll come with me?" She turned around and began to walk.

The woman quickly collected her papers and put them in a neat stack, placing them in her bag before placing the bag over her shoulder.

She stood up and held out her hand.

"C'mon Addy. It's our turn now."

The little girl sitting beside her got up and straightened out her dress, trying carefully not to get it wrinkled. She took her mother's hand, following her eagerly as she began to walk.

The woman in the grey dress led them into a small room, completely made up of a shiny, polished silver. There was one table in the middle. Two chairs, one on each side of the table, were the only things not made of metal. Instead, they were a red plastic.

"Now Mrs. Wescott, since this is Adeline's first testing, we ask that you leave the room during the test. We cannot have any outside influence on her decision."

"I understand."

She leaned down.

"Addy?"

The little girl turned to her.

"They're going to ask you a question, and since mommy isn't allowed to be here during that, I have to go. But I'll be back okay? I'm not leaving, I'll just be right outside."

The little girl nodded. Her mom kissed her cheek and ruffled her hair before exiting the room.

"Sit down Adeline."

The little girl did as she was told.

"I'm going to ask you a few questions about yourself okay? Just so we know it's you later."

The little girl nodded.

"Okay. Can you please say your full name?"

"Adeline Grace Wescott."

She smiled. Her mother had practiced that with her.

"And how old are you Adeline?"

"I'm 6 years old."

"Today is your birthday isn't it?"

"Yes it is. June 28."

"Well happy birthday. Are you ready to take the test?"

"Yes."

"Then let's begin."

The woman opened a drawer in the table and pulled out a folder. She opened it. Inside there were two pieces of paper. One was black and the other was white. She placed them in front of the little girl without saying a word.

"Pick a color."

The girl took a minute to look. Her eyes darted back and forth from the black and white paper, not knowing what this was for or what it would do.

A few minutes passed before the girl finally pointed to the white sheet of paper on the table.

"Thank you Adeline. You may leave now."

The girl nodded and got up, making her way to the door. She opened it to reveal her mother sitting on a bench humming along to the quiet classical music that could be heard over the speakers.

"All done?"

The girl nodded. Her mother stood up and took her hand, leading them out of the building, and onto the crowded city streets.