The Joker

Chapter 1: The Aptitude Test

"Just relax, Hazel."
Father placed his palm firmly on my shoulder.

"We have raised you to be a Club, just like us," Mother insisted softly.

"But what if I don't get Clubs?" A look of apprehension was engraved in my face.

"Hush, child. Answer every question honestly, and you will go where you're supposed to go," Father assured, and I nodded.

"Hazel Castellan?" A Hearts woman appeared in the doorway of the crowded waiting room. Father patted my back, and I got up, walking toward the woman.

"There's no need to be nervous," the lady smiled sweetly. "The test will only take a few minutes, and it's very simple."

I nodded my head, and she led me into a small examination room.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," the lady gestured to a metal folding chair set up at a table. I sat down, the cold metal sending shivers down my spine.

"The first question is super easy. What is your favorite season?"

"Umm," I hesitated softly. What did this have to do with my suit?

"Spring, I guess."

"Okay. Now, which of these traits describes you the best? Intelligent, kind, hard-working, or fearless?"

"Hard-working," I replied confidently. This was definitely the 'Clubs' answer. Clubs were best known for their hard, but valued labor in the fields and agriculture. They supplied the food for the city.

The woman nodded and scribbled down some notes.

"Which of the four elements would you use to describe yourself?"

Earth has to be Clubs, right?

I took a deep breath, and remembered what Father said. "Answer every question honestly, and you will go where you're supposed to go."

I began to say Earth, but hesitated. Was I Earth? I am a Club, aren't I?

"Answer as honestly as you can, don't overthink each option."

I nodded. "Air," I said calmly, and she nodded, scribbling down more notes. I hoped that was the right answer.

"Name something you feel passionate about in your life."

"Uhh, my schoolwork?" I replied, and then regretted it. Why would you say that? Schoolwork is definitely going to point you towards diamond!

"And my family," I added, "and my labor in the fields."

"That's enough answers, Miss Castellan."

I nodded nervously, with little bead of sweat forming on my hairline. I checked the clock above the door, and I had only been in the room a couple minutes.

"What would you do with $1000 if you found it on the ground?"

I stared at the floor. What?

"I would, um, save it for when I need it later in life, I guess."

Her facial expression was unreadable as she wrote more notes down in the clipboard.

"Would you say you are more creative or logical?"

Come on, Hazel. Think like a Club.

"Creative," I replied. She nodded slowly.

The lady asked me several more questions, for what felt like another half hour, until she finally announced that those were all of the questions.

"So, um, what am I?" I asked nervously.

"I'm sorry, Miss Castellan, but I need to consult some other authorities before we give you your suit. You won't be finding out today."

Confused, I nodded.

"You may follow me back to the waiting room," the woman said, getting up.

My sweaty thighs stuck to the metal chair as I stood up.

When we got back to the waiting room, almost all of the other 16 year olds had been sorted, leaving the waiting room to me, my parents, the woman, and a few other patients.

"Your daughter's suit will be decided after a consultation with elected officials," she told Mother and Father, and they nodded, perplexed. "You will be notified before sundown tomorrow."