A Goode Life

Chapter 1

It was difficult to not notice the glorious day that was upon the world. Citizens of the CNS government made use of this idyllic day. This was nothing but true for the Goodes, except the one.

"Brad, go and take the garbage out right now," Mother said.

Brad did so without question. He always did as he was asked. The Goodes were a family of five. There was Father, Mother, Brad, Grace, and Grant. Brad always thought it odd that compared to his siblings he went without a 'G' name. Brad always thought 'Maybe it's just because he was born first, and they didn't think to give him a 'G' name like George or something.' He also thought 'Names were just names anyway; no big deal.' After he took out the garbage there was more on the to do list.

This was par for the course. Brad was the second-most industrious person when it came to housework. It was to get him ready for living on his own, or so his parents say anyway.

"How'd your weekend go?" Lucy asked. Lucy was the neighbor's daughter; she was born in the same hospital just weeks before Brad. The two made their way along the school hallways.

"We went to the beach and then ate at a beachside restaurant," Brad said.

"Sounds fun," Lucy said.

"We went underwater and saw the aquatic wildlife," Brad continued. But Brad did not. While the family had a beach day, Brad spent the day doing chores. "What about you?"

"We went overseas to see my cousins," Lucy said.

Lucy had naturally platinum blonde hair that went down just past her shoulders. She wore glasses that made her eyes look bigger. She was, admittedly, the smarter of the two.

"So, what did you think of the assignment?" Lucy inquired.

"Easy," Brad said.

Class was just about to start so they went in for roll call.

***

Elsewhere, in the middle of the city, was the government building where many people congregated. It was mostly made of glass—even chairs and tables were completely made of or incorporated glass. It stood large, imposing on the buildings surrounding it. Though really it wasn't any bigger than a medium sized skyscraper, not that there were any more skyscrapers.

Menial work was extinct. People spent their days applying themselves at home or within an organization. There were not enough occupations for everyone as the latest technological revolution had effectively put the nation in a post scarcity position.

The central government was Father's choice of work, where he stood as the representative of the neighborhood. There were many like him and they filled the building day in day out. From the most local to national affairs, these representatives would sit in, witness, and sometimes vote on them. Father would be here all day mostly listening but every now and then he would have a chance to contribute. Of course, he also wrote notes on important topics.

In a few months a change in government would happen. They would be integrating a new program that would improve the prioritization of cases. At the same time, people would vote for government positions. The people that voted were the same people who sat in these buildings' chairs. The general public trusted their representatives and were politically uninvolved. Many were homebodies, others worked in other institutions, and others still were artists. Father was in the running to become a judiciary council member. It was something he aspired for.

***

Mother was at home with Grant. It was the last year before he went to school. But rather than relief, it gave her anxiety. She didn't know where she fit in society any longer. Maybe she'd decide to stay home even when Grant goes to school. Or perhaps she would join a full-time book club. Or she would join a small circle of dedicated homemakers. Or, most ambitiously, she would try to get her old position back in media. She still had her contacts and Lucy's mother must have risen in importance by now. She could probably get her old position back just asking her.