Examiner
Tharl’s services hadn’t been called upon for a long time. He was kept on as a
retainer by the government, and his job was to re-educate people so that they
saw things more clearly.
His
last case had been a while ago. People tended to accept the status quo,
especially after a select few had not returned from the Centre. But this boy…
he was stubborn, Tharl had to give him that. He constantly countered Tharl’s
officially sanctioned version of events with the things he claimed to have
seen. What did he have to gain from it? To help someone out who should have
meant nothing to him?
Tharl
cracked his knuckles and checked the time on his pad. Almost time for Round 4.
18 comments:
Okay, freaky because I feel we are not too far from this reality!
Perspectives at Life & Faith in Caneyhead
Round four doesn't sound too fun...
A to Z 2017: Magical and Medicinal Herbs
Tharl's method of re-education sounds frightening to me . I sense its not words alone.
Great work , Nick
Best wishes
Moon
https://aslifehappens60.wordpress.com
The title of your post reminds me of when a radio station I listened to was doing a "Rock A-Z" thing, where they were going through band names alphabetically. The DJ got to 'W' and played a song by the Who. When the song was over, the DJ says, "'X'--eXtra Who!" and played another number by the Who.
The question about Tharl is, does he really believe the things he's 'teaching,' or does he know the real truth?
"Re-educate"... sounds terrifying! Happy A-to-Z-ing.
Oh no! The poor kid. I wonder if Tharl knows the truth or may begin to question it after working with this kid.
Discarded Darlings - Jean Davis, Speculative Fiction Writer, A to Z: Editing Fiction
Chilling! You have a true gift.
I'm glad you enjoyed my musical choices for today. I have to tell you that it's no surprise you never heard the Michael Stanley Band song. They had one breakout hit in the USA but never really reached beyond the Cleveland Ohio region. Be well!
Oh the intrigue! Great teaser here.
X is for the X-37B Space Plane
Re-education, I'm sure, would not be fun at all. The boy should be dreading Round 4!
Stubborn kid - trying to stick with the version he saw with his own two eyes. How dare he not adjust his memory to the official version. Next thing you know, he will be spreading this fake version and others may believe him! Good thing Examiner Tharl's dealing with, er, helping him.
Emily | My Life In Ecuador | Xanthophobia, Xenoepist, Xyzlacatosis
Sadly, in this case and as it so often is, efforts to help someone "see things more clearly" translates to "see it our way" or "pretend you don't see it". This place is very scary for anyone who dares not to conform, and I suspect I would be vaporized before long... what a convenient way to dispose of incorrigibles! You've created a really interesting story, Nick!
Hi Nick - not stretched ... just a very good adaption. Though not sure I want to find out what Mr eXaminer Tharl's going to do next ... well done ... cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/x-is-for-x-war-facts.html
'See things more clearly' sounds not a little disturbing! I hope the little boy bunks that round 4 lesson.
And X is just asking for a little stretching! :)
Nilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
Eeek. People are supposed to doubt their own eyes? Not good.
Very Orwellian in showing us the inner world of a puppet of a repressive regime--especially the coyly coded phrases like "see things more clearly" for "embrace our propaganda." Nicely done.
Re-education is such a scary word to me.
It sounds like a most brutal interrogation is coming up, full of torture!
Nick,
I'm in agreement in with other commenters, "re-educating" sounds scary. Sounds like $10 word for brainwashing if you ask me but then when does the government ever ask, it just does what it wants!
~Curious as a Cathy
Art Sketching Through the Alphabet “X” (X-ray & Xena)
Post a Comment