The Gift

Violet stared at the black leatherbound notebook in her hands. It was soft, the pages clean, and it was simultaneously the most exciting and most horrifying gift she’d ever received. It was the gift she had wanted since she was twelve, since having this notebook meant she no longer had the chip to track her every thought, feeling, and action. Holding this in her hands meant she was one step closer to being considered a full citizen. At the end of each week her entries would be scanned and sent to her Official. In a year’s time, she could have thoughts that are completely her own, or she could receive another notebook rarely did anyone receive full citizenship and recognition of adulthood within a year. It wasn’t impossible, just difficult.

Just having the monitoring chip removed was an achievement. There were people in her neighborhood in their twenties who still hadn’t had their chip removed. Most people received full-citizen ship by twenty-two, so to not even have the chip removed was taboo. People looked upon it as a failure, and the parents of the person in question always went under investigation.

There was no faster way to anger an Official than to go under investigation. Children were granted to couples who had proven they should be capable of raising a child into adulthood. The Officials of both parents had to approve an application to have a child. Raising a child involved five people, the parent’s their respective Officials, and the child’s Official. From a child’s birth they were an Official’s main concern. Any questions parents had could be submitted to any of the three Officials involved. Violet couldn’t wait until she could meet her own Official.

That was what she was looking forward to most about becoming an adult: Meeting the person who paid for her education, sent her trinkets every year for her birthday, and monitored her every thought and action since she received the monitoring chip at the age of three. Whoever they were, they were supposed to know Violet better than she knew herself.

Violet didn’t want much in life – to go to college would be preferable; she wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer or a veterinarian. To do that, her Official had to be willing to sponsor her education.

Skimming through the pages of her notebook, Violet thought over what she’d write in it. Her day was half gone and nothing exciting had happened. Her Official would read it, and she didn’t want them to think she was boring. Her assigned Government Official was the most important person in her life; they would be the one determining when she reached full citizenship and adult status. They were the one who approved her getting her chip out at the traditional age of seventeen. Every milestone her life, her Official played a role.

Violet glanced to the time. 5:00 pm. It was almost time for President Ryder to make his evening address to Sadom’s citizens. He’d wish a happy birthday to all those who reached a milestone toward gaining full citizenship today and introduce any rule changes which were implemented since the previous day. There was always at least one, usually minor. She couldn’t count how many times a comma had been added or removed. As boring as it was, it was mandatory viewing and she wanted to impress her Official. Prove she was ready to become an adult, to be a full citizen.

The sound of her door opening drew her attention. Violet turned in her desk chair to see her mother there. Her mother was a beautiful woman, with eyes such a dark brown Violet couldn’t help wondering what was hidden in their depths. Her hair was a vibrant red that cascaded past her shoulders in waves. And to top it off, her mother’s smile could light up a whole room.

“It’s almost time for the viewing, honey,” her mother said.

Violet sighed. “I know, I was just trying to decide—” she glanced longingly at her notebook. “I don’t know what to write.”

Her mother smiled. “It’ll come to you. My first entry was a long account of my day, it was probably the most boring thing my Official ever read. I didn’t have a talent for writing like your father, so it was terrible.”

Violet smiled. “I guess you’re right.”

“Be downstairs in five.”

“Alright.”

Violet turned back to her notebook.

Maybe her mother was right. There wasn’t a reason to worry about her first entry yet. Her mother had been nineteen when she reached full citizenship, well within the average for Sadom’s citizens. If her mother could do it, then so could she. Finally determined, Violet stood from the desk and clumsily knocked her notebook to the floor. Kneeling to grab it Violet frowned. A white envelop was sticking out from one of the back pages.

Her eyes widened. It was addressed to her. Why would there be a note? Was it from her Official? Was this a part of the tradition she hadn’t been told of? Ripping the envelop open, Violet peered inside: there was a note and what looked to be a money card.

Violet,

I hope you have a great birthday. You’ve proven more than ready to have your chip removed. And I don’t doubt that before you know it, we’ll be setting up a conference call to arrange your adulting ceremony. I’ve included a money card for $20,000 with this letter. Do with it whatever you want. Tell nobody you received it. I’m rooting for you kid.

Your Official

Twenty-thousand dollars. It was more money than she had seen in her life and her Official just gave it to her. Were she anyone else she’d probably put in the bank for a rainy day or spend it. Her classmate Tiffany Blake certainly would spend it in a day. But she wasn’t them.

Grabbing a new envelope, Violet scrawled an address across the front, then slipped the money card inside. Taking one of her school notebooks she wrote a quick note to place inside the envelope.

“Violet!” Her mother’s voice called.

“I’m coming, mom!” Violet grabbed the envelope and sealed it quickly as she rushed downstairs. She paused by their front door, slipping the envelope through the mail slot. She heard a familiar whir indicating the envelope had been taken to the post office. Rushing over to the living room, she hopped over the couch to sit next to her dad.

“You’re not supposed to run in the house, Violet.” he said.

“Or jump on the furniture!” Her mother shouted.

“Sorry,” Violent looked at her parents sheepishly, “I just don’t want to miss today’s announcement.”

Her parents exchanged a look. “Alright,” her mother said. “You’re forgiven.”

“But only because it’s your birthday,” her dad added.

She grinned. “Thanks.”

“Good evening. Your president has his daily message for Sadom’s citizens.” A familiar voice sounded from their holoscreen.

A moment passed and at 5:30 exactly, a familiar man appeared on the screen. Seeing this man on the screen every day since she was born, she felt she knew his face and voice well. President James Ryder was tall, his face was youthful placing him in his mid-twenties, though she knew he was approaching sixty. He was dressed in a black suit, and his tie was blue with purple stripes to match the flag of Sadom. Pinned to its center was the red rose of Sadom. President Ryder’s hair was the darkest black Violet had ever seen, his eyes an icy blue.

“Good evening, citizens of Sadom.” His voice was even, smooth like silk. “To begin our evening, I would like to announce we thankfully only have four changes to the rules.” He frowned as he read what was in front of him. “Rule 3424 has had a comma added before the word and. Rule 05294 has had the word ‘and’ changed to ‘or’. A comma has been removed from Rule 2156. Rule 4215 has been amended to include a wider breadth. Please remember to plug your rule books in so they may update overnight.” A grin overtook his face. “And now that we have gotten that out of the way, I would like to personally congratulate all of you who have reached adulthood today and wish a happy birthday to our citizens who have reached yet another milestone in their journey to adulthood and full citizenship.” He drummed his fingers on the podium. “And one final announcement: The following citizens received a money card for $20,000 today, along with their notebook and instructions to use it how they saw fit – Ashton Thompson, Rosalind Rivers, Diego Sanchez, Titania Rivers, and Violet Smith. Your money card will report to your official how it was used. One of you will then be selected to train as my successor. That is all.” The screen went blank.

“That is quite the recognition Violet!” Her mother said.

“And two of you from our own town, that’s impressive,” Her father added.

“What are you going to do with your money card?” Her mother asked.

“I already spent it.” Violet said.

Her dad’s eyes widened. “All of it?”

“I mailed it to the orphanage.” Violet’s eyes drifted to the mail slot. “It’s where you guys received me, and I just wanted to make sure the kids there could have something nice.”

“Oh, Violet, that’s a wonderful use for it. Even if you’re not chosen, that is a good use for the money.” Her mother offered her a smile. “I’m so proud of how selfless you are.”

Violet nodded numbly. She never would have imagined the money card could have been her key to being trained as the President’s successor. It was unheard of. But, really, as cool as it would be, there was nothing she could do with the money better than giving it to those who needed it. Her parents had taught her that.

“A visitor has arrived.” The house’s automated voice said.

“I’ll get it.” Violet said.

Pressing the button at the side of the metal door, Violet took a half-step back as it slid open to reveal a man dressed in a military officer’s uniform. Several medals were attached to his jacket.

“Violet Smith?” He asked.

“Y-yes?”

“General Bell.” He extended a hand. “I’m here on behalf of your Official.”

“My Official?” Violet asked.

“Yes.” He looked past her. “May I come in?”

“Of course,” her dad said.

Her mother ushered General Bell, Sadom’s head of national defense was stood in her living room. She couldn’t believe it. Maybe she was dreaming? That had to be it – nothing else made sense for why he could possibly be here.

“What is this about?” Her dad asked.

“Violet donated her money card to charity. She was the last one to make use of her money card – two put theirs in the bank, the other two spent theirs, but she donated hers.” General Bell grinned. “Congratulations, Violet, you’ve been selected as Sadom’s future president. Your Official will be here first thing in the morning to take you to the capitol to begin your training.”

Her mother gasped. “Violet the next president?”

“The vote was unanimous, and it was completely anonymous.” General Bell winked. “The five Officials of the potential candidates were the only ones aware of who did what with their card.”

“Sir—” Violet frowned “—my Official. Could you tell me who they are?”

General Bell laughed. “President Ryder himself is your Official.”

Violet stilled. President Ryder was her Official. The president had been the one sending her gifts every birthday. Had been the one who had decided she was ready to have her chip removed. Had sent her the money card she donated. And now she was going to train to be his successor. She was going to meet her Official early, had spent her $20,000 wisely and was being rewarded for it. She raced to her room to pack, ready for her new life.