What use is Information?

Part 1

Ardrianna's knee bounced rapidly as she sat in the chair. Her palms were a little clammy, but she was trying desperately hard not to show how much her nerves danced under her skin. She wished her knee would stop bouncing. At the same time though, the movement brought her a sense of comfort; even if one of the men sitting on the opposite side of a large desk was watching it disapprovingly. To hell with him, Ardrianna thought. She had every right to be nervous, it wasn't every day she had a chance at actually getting something she wanted. 

Tense moments passed, and apart from the tick, tock of an antique analogue clock that sat regally in the corner, it was silent in the room. Ardrianna had noticed everything about this god forsaken room the moment she walked in. You didn't grow up on the streets without being able to take stock of your surroundings quickly. That skill had saved Ardrianna more than once. 

The room had cold marble floors and white walls that made the black plastic desk stand out, which helped it look that much more intimidating. Plastic was what a lot of things were made out of these days, a last ditch attempt to help out the earth. There was one window, on the right side of the room to where Ardrianna sat. She saw it as a test, and reminded herself 'don't look out the fucking window', because part of this interview was all about how well she could focus. It wasn't suggested specifically, but Ardrianna understood that it was part of the test. After all, you don't make into a facility like this without an incredible capacity for focus.  

There were two men across from her, one watching her knee, and the other reading her meagre application file. She'd had to hand write it. Something she was sure they didn't ever see anymore, particularly not with iApples that did pretty much everything for the people who could afford them, and all the accessories that just had to be bought along with it. An iApple was everything. Phone, computer, printer, planner, projector, and whatever else technology could do for a person. It was able to understand the brain waves of the person wearing it, so it could plan and remind you of things that you might not even remember being told about. An iApple attaches like an ear phone piece, curving around the ear. However, it also includes a clear eye lens that displays information for that person. Aside from all that, it could write a document that would be created via the person talking to the iApple. The iApple then converts that to text on a document, and has it printed, on plastic sheets of course. 

The man reading her application finally looked up. "No chip?" He asked Ardrianna. 

'No, I can't afford one.' She replied. He took a deep breath and leaned forward on his elbows, his hands clasped together. 

'You know that we cannot accept you in that case.' He said unapologetically. 

'Yes, actually, you can.' Ardrianna argued. 'You read my application, I know the criteria, and I'd bet I know it better than most of your applicants. I didn't come here to waste your time, I came because I am a legitimate consideration and I believe that I can add to this institution.' 

A deep frown settled in his forehead, and he slowly leaned back in his chair. 'Explain.'