Out there

The outside world was unknown to her, but she could see a glimpse of it through the window in his room.

“What is it?”

“It’s a window.”

“Yes, I know that's a window. I’ve seen windows before. In the history books. What I meant was, what's that outside the window?”

“That's the vast open wilderness”

“It looks so… so… wonderous and so… beautiful.”

“Doesn’t it just.”

“Is it dangerous?”

“Yes.”

“What’s dangerous about it?”

“Well, it’s got trees and grass, oceans, rivers, mountains, hills, valleys and wild animals.”

“Sounds exciting. Especially the wild animals.”

“Do you like seeing wild animals?”

“For sure. I love to go to the zoological museum and see the cats and the dogs and the rabbits and sheep.”

“Yes? Well, of course, they are kept safely inside their glass tanks at the museum.”

“They don’t look dangerous to me.”

“No? Have you ever been scratched by a cat? Ever seen what happens when a dog bites a person?”

“Well, no, but…”

“Ever thought that those animals behind the glass might think you are dangerous?”

“I wouldn’t hurt a bug.”

“No? Are you sure about that? Have you never stepped on a bug?”

“Never even seen one. Can’t see any through the window neither. Nor any wild animals. Where are they?”

“They’re hiding of course. They know we are looking for them and they are hiding away from us. Hiding to keep themselves safe.”

“Is this the last one?”

“The last window, yes.”

“Shame nobody gets to see what’s on the outside.”

“Maybe, but it is also a blessing. What do you think would happen if we showed what’s out there to everyone?”

“Guess they would want to take a proper look outside.”

“And what do you think would happen if we let all those people go outside the window?”

“They’d damage the environment. Hurt the animals and trample the flowers.”

“That’s right. I can see you have paid attention in your environmental protection classes.”

“Shame, all the same, that nobody gets to see the great outside and see the trees and the grass and the animals.”

“Is that what you would like to do? To go out through the window and look for all those wild animals. All those cats, and dogs, and rabbits and sheep you have seen at the museum?”

“Yeah… I guess.”

“Is that why you would like to be a Ranger for the Department for the Protection of the Outside?”

“Yeah… I think that’s it.”

“Anything else you would like to say? Any further questions before I conclude this interview?”

“No further questions, sir. Just to say thank you for inviting me to interview and for showing me the window. I very much enjoyed meeting you and looking through the window.”

“It was a pleasure to meet you, too. I am sure you are the kind of person we are looking for. There is a transit pod waiting in the reception module to take you on to the next stage in the process.”

“Oh! I wasn’t told there was another stage…”

“Nothing to worry about. Just a formality, really. They won’t keep you waiting around for long. Thank you for coming.”

“Thank you, sir, goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

Having ushered the young woman out of the room, the Director looked up at the vidscreen and ordered a connection, waiting for a moment while the link was made.

“Department for Recycle. How may we… Oh! Director, it’s you.”

“Good afternoon, Superintendent. Got another one for you. She’s on her way now by secure transit.”

“No problem, Director. Another interview failure? What was it this time?”

“Nothing in particular. She just seemed to care too much.”

“That must be a dozen this week. Where do you find them?”

“We advertise of course.”

“Full recycle?”

“Yes! This one is young, so don’t forget to exsanguinate before she is euthanized.”

“Consider it done, Director.”

* * * * *

© Raymond G. Taylor 2022

https://www.facebook.com/Raymond.G.Taylor.author

https://www.amazon.com/Raymond-G-Taylor/e/B08LCMLGSD