Chapter 6: Property of Hegemony International
Return to Chapter 5: Sushi Hut
The security office is one of the most bland corporate environments that Dontae's ever encountered. It's a glorified broom closet with pale grey-ish walls and a single desk that consumes most of its available space. An ancient woman sits quietly, staring at a single monitor. As far as he can see, the monitor is completely devoid of information. No graphics. No text. No nothing. Just a black screen.
He stands silently in the doorway, waiting for some acknowledgment from the crone. None is forthcoming. He clears his throat, merely as a means of announcing his presence. She makes no sign of moving or recognizing his presence in any way.
[Dontae]: Excuse me?
The woman's catatonia remains unbroken.
[Dontae]: Umm... Excuse me?
Nothing. He steps into the claustrophobic space and stands right next to the woman. She remains transfixed by the ebony screen.
[Dontae]: Excuse me. Are you... OK?
He examines her for signs of life. While her posture is horrendous, she is not slumped in her chair. After several moments he manages to observe a slight rhythm in her chest. He steps forward and waves a hand between her distant gaze and the monitor. This appears to break the spell. She looks up at him with equal parts confusion and annoyance.
[Security Guard]: Can't you see I'm watching something?
He looks again at the monitor. It remains completely dark. He's not even sure that it's on.
[Dontae]: I'm sorry, but I'm supposed to report to the security office. For a new badge. This is the security office, right?
[Security Guard]: Why would I be sitting here if it weren't?
[Dontae]: I... don't really know.
[Security Guard]: I don't have any appointments this afternoon.
[Dontae]: Yeah... about that. I was supposed to be here this morning.
[Security Guard]: I guess you kids can't be bothered to be punctual.
[Dontae]: I'm sorry. There was a bit of a mix-up.
[Security Guard]: Mmhmm.
She moves a withered hand to her mouse and begins clicking on... something. He still sees nothing on the monitor.
[Security Guard]: Nope.
[Dontae]: Beg your pardon?
[Security Guard]: Only person scheduled to come in this morning was some... Down-tah Shack-urr-ah.
[Dontae]: It's actually pronounced don-tay. And that's me.
This seeming confirmation brings a hopeful smile to his face, but she makes no attempt to return the expression. She just squints ever harder at her monitor.
[Security Guard]: No, no, no. That ain't right.
[Dontae]: No, really. That's me.
She looks up at him for the first time. Her brow droops so low as to almost entirely obscure her jaundiced eyes.
[Security Guard]: Look. I've made my peace with all you "trans types". Be whatever you wanna be, I guess. Don't bother me none. But Black folk? Makin' themselves into... white folk? I mean... how do you even do that?
[Dontae]: I'm sorry. I'm confused. What exactly are you-
[Security Guard]: It says right here. Down-tah Shack-urr-ah. Female. Black.
[Dontae]: I literally have no idea what it says on... [gesturing toward the dead monitor] that, but I can assure you that I've always been male. And I've always been white.
[Security Guard]: Then why's it say "Female"? And "Black"?
[Dontae]: Ma'am, I have absolutely no idea. But I'm Dontae Shukara. And I'm a white male.
[Security Guard]: Hold on a second.
She taps her left ear and waits for a moment. Eventually it becomes clear that she's conversing with some unheard voice.
[Security Guard]: Ronnie... Yeah, it's me... No, no - STOP! Why you tellin me that?... Well, I could tell you why Zaxys decided to kill off her only remaining dragon if I'd had the chance to finish watching the season finale!... I was trying to watch it! But some prankster showed up in my office... Mmhmm... Yeah, I know we ain't got any appointments this afternoon. But he says he was supposed to be here this morning... That's exactly what I told him! We ain't got no appointments today for any dudes. But he swears that he is the person we were supposed to see this morning... Well I was hoping that maybe you could tell me what I'm supposed to do with this guy?... Mmhmm. Yeah... Where do I find that?... Alright, I'll give it shot.
At this point, he's grown numb to the constant stream of Principle of Conquest spoilers. He's just anxious to get through this security badge gauntlet.
[Dontae]: So what'd he say?
[Security Guard]: Hold your horses. Wer gonna check your personnel file.
She spends the next five minutes painstakingly clicking her mouse, staring at the dead monitor, and re-clicking to other unseen locations.
[Security Guard]: Okay... down-tah,
[Dontae]: Yes?
[Security Guard]: If that is who you really are,
[Dontae]: Again, I assure you-
[Security Guard]: Where'd you get your degree?
[Dontae]: I did my Bachelors in computer science at Stanford. And my MBA at Duke.
[Security Guard]: Hmm... that checks out.
This does nothing to assuage her suspicions.
[Security Guard]: Mother's maiden name?
[Dontae]: Assefa
[Security Guard]: Hmm... that checks out, too.
[Dontae]: I would hope so.
[Security Guard]: What'd you have for dinner Saturday night?
[Dontae]: Excuse me?
[Security Guard]: You heard me. What'd you have for dinner?
[Dontae]: That can't possibly be in my personnel file!
[Security Guard]: It is. And the real down-tah would know what she ate.
[Dontae]: I'm sorry, but this is rather ridiculous.
She taps her left ear again.
[Security Guard]: Ronnie, I'm gonna need your help down here with this joker.
[Dontae]: No! It's fine. I had, umm... a salad. Kale. Cherry tomatoes. Asiago cheese.
[Security Guard]: No croutons?
[Dontae]: What? Uhh... yeah. Yeah. I think it did have croutons.
She eyes him head-to-toe as though he's a man-sized turd.
[Dontae]: But it's true! That's what I ate Saturday night!
[Security Guard]: You eat that shit?
[Dontae]: I mean... sometimes. Yeah.
[Security Guard]: You don't look like one of them fitness freaks.
[Dontae]: I've been... trying to eat a little healthier.
[Security Guard]: You had a perfectly good pizza sitting in the freezer.
[Dontae]: That's in my personnel file?!
[Security Guard]: Mmhmm. Right here.
She points at her blank screen. He mindlessly tries to see what she's referring to. But it's as black and featureless as the moment he arrived in the office. He momentarily considers asking her what else is in his file before deciding that he really doesn't want to know.
[Dontae]: I don't know what to tell you. That is what I ate. Does it say something different in my file?
She grows quiet for a moment before surrendering with a shrug.
[Security Guard]: No, no. That's what it says.
The confirmation sparks a sense of relief in him.
[Dontae]: Well that's... good. Right?
[Security Guard]: Suppose so. But I still don't understand what'd make someone wanna change their gender and their race.
He makes a calculated decision to avoid correcting her.
[Dontae]: So I can get my new security badge now?
[Security Guard]: Yeah, sure. Whatever.
She starts typing on her computer. Her decrepit fingers fly over the keyboard at amazing speed. The activity engulfs her for an extended period of time, but he isn't much bothered with the delay. He's transfixed by the paradoxical fluidity of her movements. Eventually, she looks up to him with an outstretched hand.
[Security Guard]: Your old badge.
[Dontae]: Huh?? Oh, yeah. Right.
She inspects the badge like she's screening for counterfeit bills.
[Security Guard]: Plebe, huh?
[Dontae]: Yes, I am. Or... was. Or... whatever.
[Security Guard]: I remember my plebe days.
This catches him off-guard. He hadn't imagined that the security staff were shunted through the plebe program.
[Dontae]: Really? What was it like?
[Security Guard]: Well, it was... lessee... Actually, I guess I don't remember it.
A few awkward moments of her failed reminiscence pass between them. He's not sure if he's supposed to say something further.
[Security Guard]: Put your toes on the line.
[Dontae]: I'm sorry?
[Security Guard]: We need an updated picture. Stand on the line.
As she gestures toward the floor, he realizes that there's a white line painted on the floor. It's barely noticeable in the miniscule space that exists between her desk and the wall. He repositions himself on the line, which also places his back squarely against the wall. She squints at the black monitor for a moment.
[Security Guard]: No. No. Toes on the line.
His toes are roughly 10 centimeters beyond the line and he'd be happy to re-adjust, but his heels are already against the wall. He shuffles for a few seconds, trying his best to comply.
[Security Guard]: You're too close. Step back.
He ponders an objection but he's fairly certain it would be fruitless. Instead, he actively forces his back against the wall with all his weight.
[Dontae]: Better?
[Security Guard]: No. But I suppose it'll do.
She clicks the mouse and an unseen machine under her desk begins the noisy process of spitting out a new badge. He tries to saunter forward, as best he can, but he's stopped in his tracks by her admonishment.
[Security Guard]: Nuh-uh. Stay right there.
He resumes his position against the wall, using whatever force he can muster to ensure that he's one with the wall. She leaves him in this posture for an ungodly period of time.
He's on the verge of protest when... something, previously unseen, descends from the ceiling and encompasses his entire head. Like some type of helmet.
[Dontae]: What the-
Before he can finish his statement, and before he even realizes what's happening, a vicious sting invades his skull. It's a fiery needle driving clear through to his brain stem. The involuntary scream escaping his mouth is entirely subsumed by the helmet. His knees shake uncontrollably and he struggles to remain upright.
The blinding pain belies its near-instantaneous nature. His eyes immediately swell with tears. He's on the verge of vomitting. But before he can muster a single cogent thought, he's standing, helmetless, in front of the desk again. Through his blurry vision he can see the old hag enjoying a hearty chuckle.
[Security Guard]: They all cry.
[Dontae]: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!?!
[Security Guard]: It's your implant, buttercup.
[Dontae]: You implanted something?! Into my brain?!?!
[Security Guard]: Relax. You'll need it.
[Dontae]: Need it? For what?
[Security Guard]: To work here. At Hegemony International.
He stands there, aghast. Trying to process what has just happened to him. She thrusts his new badge at him. But it takes him a while before he can even muster the motor skills to grab it. After wiping and re-wiping his tears, he inspects the new piece of warm plastic. Above his blurry picture, it states:
PROPERTY OF HEGEMONY INTERNATIONAL
Below the image, it reads:
Employee ID: 5cc61f9a-f29e-427b-8c0a-7c01ae78915e
Start Date: 2070-10-06
Gender: Female
Race: Black
[Security Guard]: Welcome to the machine, kid. Now go on. I gotta finish watching Principle of Conquest.
[Dontae]: But... what do I do now? Where do I go?
[Security Guard]: Well, obviously, the Special Projects office.
[Dontae]: Right now? Who should I ask for?
[Security Guard]: Not now. There's nobody up there. They're all in combat training.
[Dontae]: But... what do I-
[Security Guard]: Go home. Rest up. [chuckling] You're gonna need it. Just come in tomorrow morning.
[Dontae]: Oh, umm... OK.
He starts to shuffle slowly out the door. Between his wobbly legs and his severe demoralization, it's all he can do to remain upright while pondering the concept of combat training. When he manages to exit the office fully, but while he's still within earshot, she launches one last directive at him.
[Security Guard]: Make sure you've got bubble gum.
[Dontae]: What???
[Security Guard]: Tomorrow morning. When you report for your first day. Make sure you bring lots of bubble gum.
He stands in the hallway and glares at her through the open doorway. He can't bring himself to proffer a logical response. He's fairly certain that this afternoon's monkfish will be making a reappearance soon. With a last modicum of tactical thought, he turns and races to the nearest restroom.
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