Finally !

After a short break, we move counterclockwise, around the center, to reach the western tower. Today, we’re carrying (again) some metal plates to group H. 
The tunnel we take is wide and endless. We have to walk on the glass bridge that runs across it. Around us, some lights are swirling, we look straight in front to not get dizzy. 

Once again, I am teamed with H505H, my partner in numbers.  Most people choose a name to replace the default number displayed on the headpieces, she didn’t. Neither did I. 

I can imagine different thought processes behind her choice : 

One : « If I am not allowed to use my real name, is there really a point? ». I hear her say this in a soft, tired voice, with a hint of spite, cracking. 

Two : « It makes it easier for them to identify me ». Her voice is already more firm, confident, a bit nonchalant even, direct, concise and relevant. 

Three : « I don’t know how to access the name options ». Now I hear it in a light-hearted tone, loud, slightly skeptical and unapologetic. 

I could go on forever. As I mentioned, when you know nothing about them, it gives you more room to craft their story. 

Personally, I didn’t to, because I couldn’t decide :
« Aster », « Cove », « Pine », « Dragonfly », « Hill » etc… None of those names spoke to me. Sadly, we could not enter our own options. 

 

 

Whenever we meet it always goes like this : I hand her a box, stare a bit longer than I should, and walk-back to the northwest to get another one. 

The first times, I did the work as fast as anybody else. Until one day, I noticed her taking twenty second breaks before carrying the boxes away. It always put me on edge, what a dangerous thing to do ! 
But nothing ever happened to her. No warnings, she wasn’t breaking the rules, she was playing with them. 
I started doing this too, at my own pace. 
No more than five seconds each time, I remained still, tried to pick out something new ; the scar across her head, a birthmark on her eyebrow, her dark-circles, she looked incredibly tired…The type of exhaustion of those who don’t have a lot of time. 

She was also staring at me. We were wasting time together. 
Soon it became a challenge, to see who would start moving first. 

I walked slowly sometimes, played with my arms while sitting…Most of these tactics would work without the surveillance cameras, complete rigidity wasn’t necessary.

But it was fun. Putting our lives on the line, losing everything for something so futile.  Who would give up first ? Who would be abandoned, outside on their own ? 

In these moments, ambient noises amplify. I can hear everything. From the north to the south, my mind expands, I can hear everything.I can feel my time slipping away. Something approaching. Ah. I get a notification…
“Please resume work in 5,4,3…”

I move. I lose. 
H505H avoids me the next day.