Fifth Eden

[birthclod]

[Phone]Mm

Comments

phone

[nosoul_nomind]

I dunno, school's kinda boring. I had never gone to it, either. Sure beats my "job" though.

[birthclod]

The privileged who received education all their lives find little value in it. The less fortunate, those denied from learning, have killed for it time and time again. It's strange, but maybe it's something we can chalk up to that inconvenient human nature yet again.

Hehe. Well.

"Job" then?

[nosoul_nomind]

There wasn't a school in my town yet. So my mom and brothers kinda filled in when they could. I had more important things to do than go to school, anyway.

Yeah, at the hospital. They call it a candy striper, a volunteer, but it's pretty much just free labor.

[birthclod]

The reward is that you're "doing your part for the community"... they would say. You don't seem like you're the type to appreciate all that this town as done to us. So why volunteer?

[nosoul_nomind]

I didn't. Mayfield volunteered me.

Mostly I sit in the gift shop, so I just take money from the register. No one notices and I don't really care.

[birthclod]

Hee. So it's not really "free labor" then.

[nosoul_nomind]

I want a real job and I'm capable of a lot more than sittin' on my ass at the hospital. It's Mayfield's issue for not givin' me a real job.

[birthclod]

True, but this is the 1950's. Child labor was just going out of style a century ago and regulations were particularly strict.

Even they have to try to look somewhat authentic.

[nosoul_nomind]

This town thinks I'm 16. That's hardly a kid. Whatever. I only go when I need to, and I'll figure out somethin' else if I need more cash.

[birthclod]

It almost sounds like you're trying to save up for something in particular.

You still have parents, drones maybe, who would buy what you need. I doubt the currency here would be valid when you return to your world either. The possibilities just aren't popping up in my head.

[nosoul_nomind]

Yeah, I guess I am. Trying to buy a dog.

My "parents" here ain't drones, but I'm capable for working for myself so I don't need to mooch from them. Maybe I'll just start goin' around and asking non-droned people for work.

[birthclod]

Hm. I could always make you a dog if you'd like. It's not as though you're trying to buy people.

[nosoul_nomind]

Make one? What're ya talking about?

[birthclod]

I can bring life into the world. The given name that I often use, Clod, by the way, is a Biblical allusion meant to hint at my powers.

[nosoul_nomind]

[There's a pause as she thinks that over.]

And Mayfield gave ya a power like that back?

[birthclod]

I can't see why not. Any life I brought into the world probably wouldn't stand a chance against the town. It is nice knowing that I can't die now, though.