The Machine - Short Dystopian Story

Part One

 We moved from a small town into a much bigger city. Things were different than home, and we grew farther and farther away from our old lifestyle as the time went on. It wasn't like home in the countryside. When we got to our new home in the city, we knew everything had changed. People didn't act the way we did out in the countryside. Instead, they all looked the same, and we looked...different.

This city isn't like a normal city. Everyone has the same knowledge as one another. But how? People in this city didn't have books, newspapers, magazines or dictionaries. Instead, people seemed to have knowledge of everything, but not one piece of text was in sight.

"I feel like we are not apart of this crowd Tiff," I mumbled out of my mouth.

"Oh relax, James. It's a great chance to start a new life, and change our old lifestyle," she replied excitingly.

Tiffany, my wife, always had a thing for having a positive attitude. She never complained about anything. She was the reason for coming here. She wanted to try new things and sure enough, I tagged along.

On Friday afternoon as I walked past a school, kids were running out of the building, but something didn't look right. Not one soul in that herd of kids had books, or backpacks, or anything of the sort. I walked into the school, and I stumbled upon a grey-haired teacher, with an all-black outfit.

"Where are these kids' backpacks?" I asked concerningly.

"What backpacks?" He asked back.

"The ones used for learning! The ones you carry on your back, filled with books, pencils, and notebooks! Ah, forget it! You're no help!"
I couldn't take it anymore. I rushed out of the door, but as soon as I made it outside, a man was waiting for me. He had a creepy smile on his wrinkled face. As I continued slowly down the steps to the school, he stopped me.

"Couldn't help but overhear that you need help with a learning issue," the stranger said.

"The name is Frederick Davis. I'm the guy you need."

"Jimmy...how can you help?" I asked with a strange look.

Davis explained how these people don't know what they want to do. Since they know everything, nobody knows more or less than the other. They show no uniqueness in themselves whatsoever. This causes them to have no interest in anything specific, making decisions for their future, too difficult to think about.

As Davis explained this, he continued on with this well-developed plan, that involved changing the data on the machine, so that the knowledge given would explain to the students and everyone else, that this method of teaching is wrong. It was the perfect plan. I couldn't thank this stranger enough for the help, but as soon as he was done speaking, he was already gone.

I was destined to make a move on the plan, but I still didn't know how I was going to sneak in and change what info was given out from the machine. But nothing would stop me from bringing books, and pure knowledge to this society.