Red Dot, Green Dot

The Assembly

The bell rang dismissing Ophelia from the 2nd to 3rd period as the principal spoke over the intercom. "All students age 15 and over report to the cafeteria at this instant." Price Academy wasn't a place where unscheduled assemblies took place, however, Ophelia had a sense that this one was coming. Rumors were spreading throughout the narrow and vaguely decorated halls that the government would pass a new law. The law stated that a special chip was to be placed in a teenager's neck, and because of appearance and IQ, their fate was to be determined at 18. Ophelia thought this was stupid but so many odd things have happened on Planet Zeta (Earth's sister planet) this year, that she chose not to listen to anyone. She was among the last ones who marched into the large cafeteria. The beige walls were lined with students in white polo shirts and blue plaid vests. The girls wore skirts, and the boys wore dress pants. All the chairs were filled with students so Ophelia forcefully sat on the cold tiles that covered the floor, her bare legs freezing.   The room soon grew hot as she felt two students squeezing against her. The sounds of students chatting, possibly about the unscheduled assembly, filled the room. The murmurs grew into normal conversations, which grew into chants. Ophelia was losing her ability to hear, and she felt as if she couldn't breathe. She started hyperventilating to regain her lost oxygen, which didn't work out properly. She felt dizzy, lightheaded, she started to rage until she had enough. Ophelia stood up, her black hair was frizzy and her face red with rage. "Be—quiet!" She screamed, she cried and found her way through all the other students and exited the cafeteria, then the school. A security guard stopped her and demanded she return to the cafeteria. She was helpless, her lips came to a quiver and her head lowered. When she turned around, she found herself staring at the principal's pitch black dress shoes. Ophelia raised her head slowly until she met her principal's angry eyes. "Come with me," he said, reaching his hand out. She grabbed it, and they walked to his office. They passed by several students and staff on their way, who backed up against their lockers. The principal squeezed Ophelia's hand as they neared his office. The secretary smiled out of fear when they passed by. The door slammed shut as Ophelia sat on the red leather chair in his office. The office was dimly lit, the principal's desk was covered in dusty books. He was the smartest man in school, which was why he founded it. On the walls, there were maps of over 80 countries which he memorized. "Father," she began quietly. "I'm sorry for my behavior at the cafeteria. I should've known better." Her father looked down at the floor in guilt then up at Ophelia, now his eyes filled with sorrow. "It's my fault, I didn't remember how you react in social situations. Now that you're here, can you tell me what happened back there?" Ophelia knew exactly what happened back there, she was scared, she was confused. However, she also knew that her father didn't want to hear the exact same story. "I-I don't know what came over me, father. I'm sorry," she mumbled. Mr. Price looked at Ophelia emotionless, "OK, go back to the cafeteria. I will find you a seat where you won't feel anxious." He smiled and led Ophelia to the cafeteria where students looked at her with their eyes opened. She looked back and sneered. Ophelia sat in a seat right next to the stage, where she could see her father perfectly. He had the same green eyes as her, and black hair. He wore a green tie along with a tuxedo. The principal spoke into the microphone on top of the wooden podium with a loud and clear voice. "Good morning students of Price Academy. You must be wondering what you are doing here." He turned to Ophelia, who looked down at the floor. She looked up and smiled. "I've heard rumors that a law would be passing forcing you to get a chip implanted into your head." He continued. "Well, I am here to tell you that those rumors are true. In fact, injections start next week." There were murmurs from the crowd, some sounded scared, others sounded delighted. "What is the chip?" A voice from the crowd shouted. Ophelia's father cleared his throat, then clapped twice unveiling an easel with a drawing of a chip on it. His assistant brought it up to the front of the stage, making it visible for all the kids to see. He walked over to the chip, and pointed to the center which was labeled Control Center. "This here, is the control center." he started. "See, the chip isn't programmed by itself to decide whether you live or die. The government can see your vitals and your appearance every day." His hand moved to something called Retinal Spy. "The Retinal Spy is a tiny, microscopic camera that makes it possible to see what you are wearing, and how you look." He moved his hand to a place called the Dye Distributor. "Finally, to the last part of the chip. The Dye Distributor. When the time comes to make the selection, the government will press a button which will either choose red or green which as you can tell determine your fate." The crowd looked scared from what Ophelia could tell, she was scared too. She wanted to live a long, peaceful life with a man who loved her. "What happens when the government presses red? Do we have to commit suicide or something?" The same voice shouted from the crowd. Ophelia knew who was screaming. It was none other than Ethan Boynton. He was always filled with curiosity, always wanted to know what was happening. Rumors had it he wanted to major in science. "I was just going to get to that," the principal said. "When the government presses red, the dye leaves the chip and spreads throughout your body until it reaches the middle of your right hand. It then spreads a large amount of deadly toxins which kill you in a second. When the government presses green, the same process happens however, when the dot gets to your hand a large amount of anti-depressants with no side effects spread giving you endless happiness." He took a pause to let the students react, this time Ophelia had a question. "Excuse me, sir. You're okay with this? With all of us dying based on our appearance?" Her father looked back at the angry Ophelia, smiled half a smile then said. "Darling, it's not me. It's the government." Ophelia sat back down in her chair, hopeless. What could she do? Sit on a deathbed that she would either claim or leave empty until she was old? "I am sorry, al of you. However, there is nothing I can do in this case. The secretary will now begin to pass out papers to you which you and your parents will have to fill out indicating that you are fine with this. Ethan shouted again, "Who would be fine with this?" The principal looked down, cleared his throat, then up again speechless. "I--" Ethan marched down to the stage. "Who would want to sign this piece of shit?" The principal looked at Ethan and said in a deep and quiet voice, "Sir, you don't understand that not signing this paperwork will cause deportation or even death." Students started crying, causing the principal to say once again "I'm sorry. Assembly's over." As all the students exited the cafeteria, the principal stopped Ethan and Ophelia. "You two, come t my office." Ethan nearly refused but proceeded to follow the principal and his daughter to the office. "Ophelia, Ethan. Do you know why I called you here?" Ophelia and Ethan shared a glance. "No," Ophelia started. "Is it because we both actually care about our lives?" Ethan looked at the principal with an angry expression on his face. "Tell me we are somehow excused from this." He said. "Let me get to the point, I called you both here because you're soulmates. Soulmate Selection was supposed to be at 18 however, because of this new law the government has decided to push it back to tomorrow for all 16 year olds. I couldn't help but tell you two now because I saw how similar you two behave, think and live today at the assembly was the last straw." Ophelia didn't have any certain feelings of romance towards Ethan and nor did he. Ophelia thought her father was playing a trick on her then she realized that her and Ethan were in fact similar. They both had a shared interest of science, which Ethan loved more strongly. Ophelia loved heavy metal, while Ethan preferred rock. However, Ophelia realized what her father meant and by the look in Ethan's eyes he realized as well. "Ophelia," he started. "I love you. I don't know why but that was fairly easy to say. Maybe because it's true." Ophelia stared at Ethan, open-eyed. "Ethan," she began. "I don't know what to say. I haven't decided yet." She stormed out of the principal's office teary eyed. She made her way outside of the school, and walked in the hot, humid weather to her home. A five-story mansion stood before her, its walls the color white, the doorknobs were painted gold. The interior comprised, a few luxurious couches that were made of the finest fabric. Ophelia walked to the kitchen and grabbed one of the strawberries her personal chef, Simone was cutting. "I guess this determines my fate." She ate the fruit, her teeth clenching out of anger. Ophelia's room was on the second floor. Her father made sure she'd have a beautiful room with a beautiful view. Inside her room, her white bed with fitted sheets awaited for here. She slammed on the bed and cried for what felt like an eternity. She grabbed a picture of her and her mother from her nightstand and stroked it, "Oh Mom, what would you do in such a situation?" She said in between sobs. Ophelia looked at her desk and noticed an unfamiliar brochure, Home Away From Home: A Home For The Unwanted. Ophelia jumped off her bed and grabbed it. She felt as if it was calling her name. She scribbled the address given on the brochure on a piece of paper, and packed a suitcase full of clothing and toiletries. She rushed down the stairs with her suitcase in hand and told Simone to make a lunch for two. Ophelia rushed upstairs to empty her piggy bank and counted her money. She had $57,82. So much for savings, she thought. When she came downstairs, Ophelia found a picnic basket with chocolate-dipped strawberries inside and two gourmet turkey and cheese sandwiches. "Thanks, Simone!" Ophelia called as she ran out the door. Then she stopped. She remembered she was leaving her whole family behind, and she didn't know if Home Away From Home was the right place for her. "Screw it," she said. She ran to Ethan's house, and knocked on his window. He jumped in his chair, then opened it to find an adventurous Ophelia. "I love you too, now pack a bag! We're getting out of here!" She said smiling from ear to ear. Ethan did as she said. He emptied his wallet, stuffed a suitcase and climbed out of the window without saying goodbye to is family members.