Pristine

Chapter 2

I couldn't tell you exactly where Redemption is on a map. Somewhere South-West of the Rockies, of that I'm pretty sure because of the arid surroundings. But that is a very large expanse it could be hidden in. We came in by plane after passing over what seemed like a couple hundred miles of nothing but desert. So much for my theory that everywhere was connected and that there wasn't anywhere that wasn't on a map. The nearest thing to the town was an old army depot, a location that was blacked out on satellite images, and so the perfect place to hide a few hundred people in the middle of nowhere. Yet I could see I wouldn't be staying in a shack. There was every amenity you might need. Some of the homes even had swimming pools. What Redemption didn't have was an Internet connection, not via cellular phone, wireless access, fiber, satellite or even old copper telephone lines. This meant that there wasn't any live video entertainment, and thus no news, no communication with the outside world, and no SocialNet.

In the center of the community was a well kept church, which looked as freshly painted as the other buildings in the town. It was there I was told I'd receive my orientation. This came after getting an opportunity to shower and get dressed in the clothes which they had set aside for me. It seemed that there was a dress code, and I was only allowed to keep my underwear, and only that after arguing about (the bigger pair they put out being far too old fashioned to even consider wearing). Everything else they said would return to me when I left. I did my best to look presentable. I was used to being judged, but I could tell already that these people assessed others by a different criteria than I was used to. I realized to fit in I should look like I'd been born seventy years earlier. As I walked toward the chapel I saw people strolling, waving and saying hello. The whole scene seemed like something out an old movie, so that it was both disconcerting, because it was so different than anything I'd experienced, but yet unusually familiar at the same time.

I sat down at the back of a row of padded pews and awaited whatever might happen next. There were about a dozen others there, some of whom had come in on the same plane as me but seemed too preoccupied or nervous to talk. A man strolled in wearing a single-breasted suit, open to show his waistcoat and tie. He was middle aged, with dark black hair which had only just started to go grey at the temples.

"Everyone sit a little closer. This isn't school. You don't need to hide at the back of the class for fear of being called on. This isn't a class, and we wont test you on your arithmetic or memory of obscure dates in history here."

Others began to move nearer the front and I followed, though still sitting the third row back, as far as I thought I could get away with. Once we were all closer to him he continued.

"This is Redemption and it's not like any other place you have ever visited. We make a point of not being connected to the outside world, but we are very aware of how that world operates. We are a group with similar values who came together to create this refuge for like minded people. It just so happened that the ideals we held and the system we had developed for teaching our children can help many of those from the outside like you. This is why you've come here. For whatever reason - we never ask and expect you to never tell eachother why, you found yourself out of favour. In fact you fell so far that you don't imagine you can ever rise again to the station you were once at. You disappointed parents, alienated friends, let down your community and became a burden on society. I'm here to tell you that we can offer you a way back, a way to reclaim almost everything you once had. Here you have the opportunity, if you work hard, of being redeemed, of being pristine once again."

"This will not be easy. It cannot be achieved quickly. But all of you can get there eventually, by submitting to a process of self discipline, giving attention to very particular details, and devotion to the expectations we have here. This is not a light task, especially for those of you who couldn't keep to the rules of the world you came from. Yet it is the only way you can return there as pure as the day you were born into it. If you have any doubts that this is what you want now is the time to raise them. The plane will leave today and wont be back for a while. There is no other way out, so think carefully before you agree. On the table next to me I have contracts with each of your names on them. There is far too much fine print for you to read in the next few hours, and reading most of it would be a waste of your time, but if you did you'd just find we have accounted for the stupidest things you'd never think of doing, like running off into the desert alone and getting lost there, because our lawyers made us account for such possibilities. If you are willing to abide by our guidelines and put in enough effort, you will leave here in a year or two with everything we've promised, and at no expense to you or your family. So when you are ready come on up and make your commitment, after which you can take the chance to rest from your long journey."