Carved Mind

Carved Mind pt 2 - Day Off

A couple days had passed, and things were as dull as it always had been. I was on my way to my room when Leonard came up to me and said, "Hey, I've heard your section is getting a new manager. Guess who it's going to be."

"Oh, let me guess... You?" I replied sarcasticly.

"Hahaha, I wish! But, on a serious note, I am going to be moved up a notch. I'm going to be a mining foreman. Less work, but I'll have to lead a team now. Just a small one, leading a five man team shouldn't be hard." Leonard said as he gazed into infinity as if he was already picturing himself doing the joba already.

"Great!" I said, as I smiled in encouragement. I think it's about time he get promoted. The last time I've seen his was at D-66 at Eudara years ago and he's been working so hard. "It's about time you get promoted. Anyway, who's going to be the new manager? Nobody has told me about it, yet."

"I heard it's going to be a carved mind. He's been in the mining industry for years and refused his enlistment as a free mind when they offered it to him. It was Gabriel, I believe." Leonard answered as he scratched his head. Leonerd is a bright guy, he just isn't trained to do much complex mind works unlike me which is why he can't recall certain things at the top of his head.

"A carved mind? I thought they only assign free minds as managers on our section." I said as I started to continue my walk towards my room.

"Exactly. They've been talking about it on our section, because our manager was fairly concerned of having a carved mind on the same position as he does." Leonard replied as he began to catch up on my paces.

"Why would he get concerned? If the guy's exprienced and worthy of the position, what's the problem?" I responded as I began to think deeply about it.

"Well, problem is, if a carved mind is placed on a position where free minds are, it causes a stir that free minds on the same level would feel they're a carved mind and not free mind." Leonard explained. "You see, it would..."

"Yes, I know. They feel intimidated. They feel that we shouldn't line up with them because we are the workers and they are the boss." I said as I cut Leonard off from what his attempt at explaination. "Well, that was a great insight on current events buddy. I've reached my room, and it would be great if we can have this conversation in private tomorrow on our day off." I added as I openned the door of my room.

"Fine." Leonard said with his seemly disappointed face. "I'll drop by tomorrow. Make sure you're ready!"

"Yup. See you then!" I said as I waved at him and walked into my room. I went behind the door, closed it half way and peekd out,

"Don't forget!" Leonard shouted as he walked away backwards an waved at me. I simply smiled back and closed the door.

So, a carved mind on a manager position. That's bound to be interesting. I'm pretty sure the other managers are well concerned of having a carved mind on their supposedly free mind exclusive positions. But then again, if he was already previously offered to become a free mind, it would mean one of two things... One, he could be old already, at least 80 if he took the life lengthener vaccine, or 50 if he didn't. That, or he could have been exemplary and offered free mind status for accomplishing beyond advanced standard quotas. If he could do that, it could easily mean his parents were free minds but chose that he could become a carved mind, which sounds harsh. However, if his parents are carved mind, there's pretty much only one choice and that is to place him as a carved mind. Afterall, the parents need to support the education and standard life amenities if they chose him to become a free mind. That would have been great, but being a parent and a carved mind isn't exactly economical to have a free mind offspring because of one sole reason. And that is working as a carved mind doesn't offer any credits in return of the labor, therefore, there isn't anyway for a carved mind parent to afford a sustainable free mind living for the child at all.

It's all unfair, and sometimes I question the reason behind having the segregation between a free mind and a carved mind. What could have been a good reason to do such? Well, I could have known if I was a free mind and had access to the database at Anfang. But that begs the quetsion of why do the people at Anfang never question it as well? Maybe their lives are so much better that they don't care about us carved minds anymore.

The next thing I knew, it was already the next day. I must have not realized I already fell asleep thinking so deep about things. I began my day with a few stretches and a solemn time at the commons area.

I saw Leonard walk in with that recognizable face of anxiety. I slowly slid myself lower on the firm sofa I was sitting on trying to hide myself as I drew the periodical closer to my face. "Terrorism escalates at Bosara" read the headline of the periodical. I continued to read the article in my attempt to pretend I am not aware Leonard is in the room. I don't exactly know why I didn't feel like talking to him today. I just felt like I need some time for myself without someone checking up on what I've been doing lately. Leonard and I are best buds since our previous assignment on that junkyard they call Pure Lithium Mining site on B-66. It was so aweful that they didn't even have proper accomodation for my carved mind class. They simply stuck me in a room with a bunk bed and shared it with another carved mind. And of course, that was Leonard. Now that I am reassigned here on A-36, I feel much better.

"Looking for him" a woman spoke as the periodical was pulled from me.

"Hey, I was reading that!" I grumbled.

"Yes! Thank you!" Leonard answered as he began to approach me and the lady.

"No Problem." The lady replied. She then faced the other way and began to walk her way out of the commonsa area. She wore a distinct black nanofiber full body outfit lined with an orange stripe along the sides. For a moment, I wondered who she was and why would she be here? I mean, those kinds of clothing material are only available to the upper class free minds that I've seen in Anfang.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Leonard said as he forcibly faced my to his direction. "I'm no partner of yours, but if you agreed to meet up you should at least show up instead of hiding."

"Sorry, I just felt like spending the day alone." I answered as an excuse while I scratch my head figuring out the next thing to say.

"I know she's hot. But you can't have her." Leonard wittingly said with that funny grin in his face.

"Just because I'm a carved mind?" I replied.

"No, because she's the Operations Director for the industrial operations of this district you silly." Leonard explaind as he giggled. "I mean, even if you do become a free mind later one, do you really think she'd stoop down to you?"

"That was just mean," I began and then suddenly a near-deafening explosion blew through the commons area and knocked me unconcious.