The Apprenticeship

Day One

Daniels takes me on a tour of the building. The science program has to be the hardest out there but, it's the most rewarding. A lot of people end up having government jobs or even working here the rest of their lives.

Gen has told me that Daniels can't keep an apprentice, then again, who can? Some kids request a transfer but, no one really knows what happens to them. A lot of them we never see again. They realize that what they chose isn't what suits them. I believe that wanting to change has the same consequences as not showing up to the ceremony or not choosing a program.

Daniels keeps talking to me but I've completely zoned out. I think he realizes.

"Avery," he stops and turns to me. If this had taken place several hundred years ago, I'd probably pull out what they used to call ear buds. What ever those are. He decides to continue his thought, "you're not listening, are you?"

I'm contemplating an answer, "I am. I'm listening."

"What did I just say?"

"You said, and I quote, 'Avery, you're not listen, are you?' though I would have to say, it should be 'aren't you'. If it would've been 'are you' it would have implied that I'm listening."

His face turns beet red, "I don't think you understand Avery. Let's go. Gen can finish the tour later."

I follow him, sort of afraid of what will happen next. We walk to a lab, I've been in one of these for my chemistry class in school but, I don't know anything about it. I just wanted to pass.

"I want you to create the periodic table of elements, the 2000's edition."

He reaches inside the one table and pulls out a sheet of paper, a pen, and a timer.

"You have one hour. Good luck." He sets the timer to one hour and walks out of the room.

I've never seen a periodic table, it's not relevant anymore. We have so many different things to do that for us that it's not necessary. I guess, someone has to know this stuff to create everything for everyone else.

Twenty minutes pass, I noticed a camera in the room, he's probably watching. I have one element written down. Helium, I think it's number two, that's where I put it on the table. I remember Americium from history class though I don't know where it is one the table.

Thirty more minutes pass, ten more till Daniels comes back. I haven't gotten past Iron though, I'm surprised I remembered that much. I know there's one called Iridium but, just like Americium, I don't know where it's at. I decide to leave the rest of the boxes blank.

Ten minutes pass, the timer goes off. Another minute and Daniels is in the room. I look at him, and we make eye contact.

"Let's see how you did," he grabs my paper and looks it over, "You got to element 26?"

"Yes. I think that's the best I've ever done."

"How many elements are there?"

"118, sir."

"And you did 26, out of 118?"

"That's correct."

"That's 22%. Look, I know for a common person the table doesn't have relevance. Did you research the program before you made your choice?"

"Yes. I-"

"No, just yes or no will do" I nod, he continues talking, "So you did research the science program?"

"Not en-"

"Yes or no."

"No."

"So you didn't know that you should have had the table memorized. Why did you lie?"