Ernest awoke to the annoying shriek of the comm-unit. The large panel on the far side of the room blared its shrill announcement that he had a message.

"Acknowledge." he mumbled. The alarm fell silent. As Ernest rolled off of his multi-pad, the book he had stayed up late to read slid off of his chest and hit the metal floor with a thud. After a yawn and a good stretch, decided to see what all the commotion was about.


"Lights." he said. The uni-globe began to glow with a soft, yellow light that was supposedly an exact replica of real sunlight. "What time is it?"

"The time is 8:00 am standard time." said a female voice.

"Who in their right mind is sending messages at 8:00am on a fucking holiday? Don't they know people are trying to sleep?! This better not be an invitation to another one of those damned parties... Comm: List messages."

"You have 1 new message. Priority One"

"Priority One?" Ernest's brow wrinkled. The comm-unit always brought bad news; the higher the priority, the more unpleasant the message. When his brother called to inform him of his mother's death, it was Priority Three. Priority level two was reserved for public notification of imminent natural disasters... hurricanes, tornadoes, acidic rain. Priority One must be REALLY bad news.

"Play message." he said.

"Message is officio-text. No audio recorded."

"Read."

"Select langu-"

"Standard."

The was a brief pause as the computer that ran the comm-unit, as well as everything else in the apartment, translated the message from written text into a verbal representation. When the computer spoke again, the voice was a male monotone... the official voice of the State.

"Ernest Lakewood Phearson ," said the voice, "You are hearby notified that your State citizenship has been revoked on the grounds of non-participation and flagrant disregard of your socio-political obligations. You are hearby confined to your place of residence until such time as your appeal can be heard before the Officiate..."

"WHAT!!"

"...preparation for your appeal, you may tune your comm-unit to the Officiate mainframe and view the details of your case as well as all relevant laws, amendments, and martial orders. Your case number is XCIT-4891-9725-95. Please contact the Officiate within seven standard hours to schedule your appeal. End of Message."

Whatever he had been expecting... this certainly was not it. Revocation of Citizenship.

"Revocation of FUCKING Citizenship! What the FUCK!?! Comm: Officiate mainframe!"

The comm-unit connected him to the central AI of the Office of Citizenship, or the Officiate, as it was commonly known. The central computer received his citizen number from the comm-unit, recognized it as being invalid, and immediately routed the connection to node 972 - Revoked Citizens Pending Appeal.

"Welcome to the Officiate." The AI's voice was female, but was several octaves lower than the voice of Ernest's own comm-system. "Please state your case number."

"Case number... uh....uh..."

"If you have forgotten your case number, you may state your invalid Citizen Identification Number."

"CID - ET976875H" Ernest rattled off the number that had been assigned to him at birth.

"Ernest L. Phearson . Your citizenship has been revoked on the grounds of non-participation and flagrant disregard of your socio-political obligations. Your case number is XCIT-4891-9725-95. Please remember this number and use it for any correspondence concerning your case. Your CID had been voided, and is no longer valid for identification, employment, or monetary transactions. Once again your case number is XCIT-4891-9725-95. Do you wish to view and/or discuss your case file, now?"

Ernest sighed. His chest felt like someone had parked a Seven-Cruiser on it. He didn't want to view the file. Still, it had to be done...

"View file." he spoke aloud.

"What section would you like to view?"

"List of charges. Real aloud, standard language."

"You may stop and ask questions at any time during this recitation. This session is being recorded, and your questions and responses may be used as evidence during your appeal. Section 18-A, List of formal charges against Ernest Lakewood Phearson:

Category One: Crimes against Property… no records found
Category Two: Crimes of Violence… no records found
Category Three: Crime of Personality…
1 - Excessive variances from the following State-adopted norms:
a.) Charity-"

"Stop. What are you talking about?"

"You have failed to donate the State-adopted norm of 5% of your net income to State-approved charities and/or religious organizations of your choice. Charity is a State-prescribed personality attribute. Your violation reveals a lack of Constitutionally-mandated concern for less fortunate Citizens. Reference: Amendment 53A subsection 17 of the State Constitution, version 9.01c."

"Lack of charity?!! Wait just a damn minute... this is MY money we're talking about. I'll do what I want to with it! Save it, spend it... give it away. I'll do what I want!"

"Your statement has been recorded. Shall I continue?"

"Recorded? Damn!"

"b) Social Involvement. You have failed to dedicate the minimum of 55.0% of your elective hours to the pursuit of meaningful and stimulating social intercourse with fellow Citizens. To date, only 7.0% of your elective hours have been spent actively engaged in socio-political interactions. Your avoidance of these interactions is evidence of an schizoid personality disorder, as prohibited in Executive Order 2089-5942."

"This is ridiculous. I like to be by myself... is that a crime?"

"Yes. Your statement has been recorded. c) Environmental Involvement. You consistently use 95% or more of your standard monthly allotment of air, water, and electricity. In addition, you have elected to reduce the Recyclogen content of your food mixture to 0.0.% The State-adopted norm for Recyclogen content is 45.0%. In addition, you have elected to remain in a uni-res dwelling instead of relocating to a space-conserving multi-res dormitory. Your refusal to participate in voluntary conservation and recycling programs reveals a lack of concern for future Citizens as well as an antagonistic and/or apathetic attitude toward the future of the State. These sentiments are illegal under Article 7, provisions 14A-B of Martial Order PER-125X12(m). End of List. Would you like to schedule your appeal at this time?"

"So that's it? Some half-chip AI pulls up some stats on me and all of a sudden I'm Revoked? This is bullshit... I want to talk to someone about this. A REAL person, not some slag-brain!"

"You have one appeal, which must be scheduled within 6.8 hours. If your appeal is denied, you will be euthanized. The trace amounts of precious metals present in your corpse will be chemically extracted and added to the Treasury. The bulk of the remainder will be fortified with vital nutrients and recycled for consumption by those who have elected to supplement their food mixture with Recyclogen. Non-recyclable refuse will be shipped to the mass-furnaces and used to produce power for the State. Would you like to schedule your appeal at this time?"

"I want a Magistrate!"

"Magistrates are not allowed to speak for you during an appeal, although you may consult with one prior to your appeal. Would you like to schedule your appeal at this time?"

"Yes! I want an appeal right NOW!"

"Please note that you are allowed a reflection period of one standard day before appearing before an Officiate concerning your case. You are encouraged to observe this reflection period by performing whatever prayer and/or meditation techniques are prescribed by your State-approved religion."

"NOW! I want my appeal RIGHT NOW!"

"No Officiates are available at this time."

"When is the next one free?"

"An Officiate will be available in 1.4 standard hours, however-"

"I want it. Schedule me."

"I cannot comply. Transit time to your location is 2.3 hours. The Officiate will be unable to fit your appeal proceedings into the available time period. However, you may waive your right to appear in person before an Officiate in exchange for a holographic proceeding."

"Do it."

"Appeal scheduled. Officiate OFF-QP966975B will appear at your location via holographic interface in exactly 1.4 standard hours. You have .5 standard hours to reschedule this appeal. Failure to answer the comm-unit summons within 9 standard minutes of transmission will result in automatic denial of appeal. It is noted that you have waived the customary reflection period, however your activities are restricted in the same manner as if the reflection period were being observed. You will not be allowed to leave your place of residence prior to your appeal for any reason. Your comm-unit has been locked… you may place outgoing calls only to approved magistrates, registered religious leaders, immediate family members, and Officiate AI. You may receive incoming calls from Officiate AI only. You are allowed three standard meals. Please note that your nutrient mix has been reset and locked to 100% Recyclogen content, and may have been supplemented with whatever sedatives and psychoactives that the State deems necessary. Thank You for your cooperation.

The comm-unit disconnected with an obnoxious *click.*

Ernest fumed.

"Crimes of Personality. Crimes of FUCKING Personality." Ernest's mind raced. Every schoolchild memorized the entire Bill of Citizen's Obligations from the Constitution, but that didn't amount to a whole lot when it came time to defend one's citizenship. Magistrates were not allowed to represent disfranchised Citizens during appeals, which left him with nothing. Ernest tried to think of someone he could call. Someone who could help him. Anyone.

"Yes! Comm: connect me with Packard!"

"Unable to comply."

"What!? Packard is a Poly-Law Magistrate! The Officiate said I could place calls to Magistrates!"

"No item found in personal address register under Designate: Packard."

"What? Global register, then. Hugh T. Packard, Poly-Law Magistrate."

"That number is no longer valid. One detail available."

"Read detail."

"Hugh Terrance Packard was euthanized at 15:23.57, on January seventh of this year for the crimes of Hoarding and Failure to Pay Taxes."

"DAMMIT!"

Ernest paced the floor of one room unit. Packard was his only hope. He didn't KNOW anyone else. He'd shot himself in the foot when he scheduled his appeal so soon. Now he only had slightly more than an hour to come up with a defense.

"Defense? " he said aloud. "Defense against WHAT? Being MYSELF? I work hard for my money, and my elect-time is mine to do whatever the FUCK I want to do. How DARE the State mandate what I do with what's mine. Treat me like I'm some kind of criminal or something! Just wait until that Officiate calls, I'll tell HIM what he can do with his Crimes of Personality!"

Not believing the boldness of his words, Ernest immediately began his efforts to escape his apartment. The door access panel was locked down, of course. None of the codes worked, not even the emergency overrides.

"And just what am I supposed to do if there's a fire?" growled Ernest. He already knew the answer: burn to death.

With some yanking and a few sore fingers, he managed to bend the panel's face-plate back about a quarter of an inch in one corner. It didn't put him the slightest bit closer to freedom, but at least he FELT like he was making progress. He peeped into the interior workings of the door control, and cursed his decision to study architecture instead of electronics. The jumble of wires and nanochips was simply that... a meaningless jumble. Perhaps if he could remove the faceplate entirely.... for that, he would need some leverage.

Ernest searched, but found nothing remotely fit his needs. Of course, if he had had such an object, he would be charged with possession of an illegal technology in addition to Crimes of Personality. Any object sufficiently long and hard enough to be used as a weapon was deemed too dangerous for the average Citizen to have in his possession. No leverage.

Ernest returned to the door. There was nothing he could do. Even if he removed the faceplate, the only thing he could hope to achieve is to start ripping out nodes and wires at random until he electrocuted himself. If he had schematics and a couple of months, he could figure it out. Unfortunately, he had neither. It was clear that he wasn't getting out, but what about getting in?

If the Appeal failed, they would have to come and get him. He could block the door and... and then what? Starve to death when they cut off his food? But if he could delay them for a few hours, maybe he could think of something else... convince the Officiate to grant him another Appeal. Anything.

Ernest smiled at the irony of the situation. He had awakened with the firm intention of enjoying a State-mandated holiday with a good book, and now here he was desperately trying to tack a few extra hours onto the end of his miserable life. It would actually be funny if it were happening to someone besides HIM.

Ernest searched the room again, this time looking for something he could use to block the door. He had nothing in the way of furniture. His multi-pad was permanently attached to its in-wall housing. The comm was a part of the wall. The apartment's only table, which served as a dining place as well as a desk, was a solid piece of metal that extended from the floor. If he had the ability to detach that table then he wouldn't NEED to detach the table.. He'd be outside already.

Ernest sighed. Everything that could even remotely serve as a barricade was a permanent part of some structure or other.

Ernest's eye fell on the metal dresser that held his clothes and uniforms. It, too, was supposed to be a solid extension of the floor, but it wasn't. It had been replaced shortly after he moved in, and the maintenance techs never returned to weld it down. Ernest wrapped his arms around the front of the cold metal dresser and applied as much strength as he could. There was a horrible high-pitched scraping sound that made Ernest's teeth chatter. The dresser moved one inch.

Lifting was absolutely out of the question.. Even empty, the thing outweighed Ernest by at least a hundred kilograms. Ernest emptied the dresser anyway, and again he put his back into sliding the thing across the floor. Motivated by desperation, Ernest pushed, pulled and dragged the dresser across the floor. The thing made such a noise that, by the time he had positioned it in front of the door, Ernest sincerely wanted to gouge his eardrums out of his skull.

"The neighbors must be having fits, by now," said Ernest. It didn't matter. He had succeeded in blocking the uni-res's only opening.

"Now what?"

Ernest's stomach answered him with a loud, boisterous gurgle. In all the excitement, he had missed the first meal of the day.

"Breakfast." he commanded. "Oatmeal." A small panel slid open on the wall opposite the comm-unit. Inside it, a small waxed-cardboard bowl was being filled with a lumpy gray sludge that flowed from a retractable spigot. When the bowl was three-quarters full, the flow stopped and a small chime announced completion. Smacking his lips, Ernest walked over to the dispenser-unit and snatched the bowl out of the dispenser and grabbed a pseudo-metal spork out of the utensil slot. He brought the steaming bowl to his nose and inhaled. Nothing. The food had no odor whatsoever.

"What happened to the oat…" his words trailed off into nothingness as he remembered what the Officiate AI had said.

100% Recyclogen. Recycled food in a recycled cardboard bowl. Supplemented with whatever mind-altering drugs the State sees fit to include. Ernest's stomach instantly ceased its demands as he looked down into the bowl. 100% recycled human flesh. Sedatives and Psycoactives. They didn't even have the decency to include artificial odors and tastes.

In a fit of anti-conservationist rebellion, Ernest slung the bowl and its sickening contents across the room. The bowl smacked against the opposite wall, but by then the Recyclogen-sludge had spilled, tracing a path along the uni-res apartment's floor. Ernest half-expected the lumpy 'oatmeal' to sizzle and begin eating through the metal floor, but it didn't. It just sat there mocking him as it cooled.

"DAMMIT!"

"Incoming holographic call from Officiate Appeals."

"What?"

"You have five minutes to acknowledge and accept transmission."

"Acknowledge! Accept, Accept!"

A semi-translucent hologram appeared in the center of the room. It was of a small man sitting behind a huge desk. The image was full-sized at the very least, possibly even 120%. It floated almost a half-meter off of the floor, causing Ernest to take several steps back and look up into the cold eyes of the Officiate.

"You're not AI, are you? You're a human, right?" asked Ernest.

The thin gray-haired man looked down at the data-screen embedded in his desk. He read a few lines, pressed a few buttons, and then locked eyes with Ernest.

"Does it matter?" he said.

"Of course it matters!"

"Not from what I can see. Your record shows an aversion towards interacting with other humans. What difference does it make now?"

"It's my Appeal! It's my right to have my case heard by an actual human being!"

"Via hologram."

"What?"

"I was just noting that, despite you statement about your so-called rights, you chose to conduct your Appeal via hologram. Furthering your avoidance of human-to-human contact."

"It was timely and efficient. Why waste the State's resources sending you or another Officiate down here to see me in person?" Ernest smiled inwardly.

"That would be relevant if conserving the State's resources were your true motivation. But, judging from your clearly anti-conservationist attitude, I can tell that this is not the case. And, to answer your question, I AM a real human being. Are you ready to discuss the charges against you?"

"Yes."

"I shall review them in order. After each charge, I will delineate the supporting evidence and then indicate that it is your turn to refute the stated evidence and-or the validity of the charge. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, get on with it."

The Officiate cleared his throat, studied his screen for a few agonizing seconds, and then began to read.

"No violations found for Crimes of Violence and Crimes Against Property. This is good. However, you have three charges under Crimes of Personality, as indicated by three exceedences against state-supported norms. Ernest Phearson, you are hereby charged with Lack of Charity, Anti-Social behavior, and Disconservationism. I assume you want to contest all three of these charges. Is this correct."

"Of course it is. All three are equally ridiculous."

"All right. First charge… Lack of Charity. An examination of your financial transactions shows that you have consistently failed to volunteer the State-adopted norm of 5% of your net income to State-approved charities. Your charitable donations total to… just a minute… 0.3%? Yes, 0.3%. Do you wish to challenge the veracity of the evidence?"

"The what?"

"Are your financial records correct? They show that, over the last five years your annual income was 39,000 credits, and that your average annual donations totaled 117 credits a year. That's quite low, Mr. Phearson."

"So, it's my money. I work hard for it and I'm not going to go around giving it away."

"Fellow citizens need help, Mr. Phearson. There are those less fortunate than you."

"Bullshit. The State guarantees equality of opportunity for all citizens. If someone is too lazy, weak, cowardly to take advantage of it then it's their fault. I'm not going to subsidize someone else's laziness."

"But what about victims of circumstance. Those who have fallen on bad times through no fault of their own. Victims of disaster."

"I leave that to the State. My taxes help subsidize the disaster relief fund and all the rest. The State is more than capable of taking care them."

"But the state of made up of Its Citizens. YOU are the State."

"Right. I pay my taxes to the State and that's enough. Asking me to 'volunteer' more of my hard-earned credits is asking too much."

"Taxes are not considered to be charity. Every Citizen knows this."

"It serves the same purpose."

"So you pay your taxes under the belief that it relieves you of your charity-burden?"

"Burden? I thought it was voluntary?"

"I am not going to get into that conversation; I've heard it all before. The fact remains that you consistently deviate from the State-supported charity norm. Is this true?"

"Yes."

"And records show no extenuating circumstances… hardships, financial difficulties, etc. Correct?"

"Correct."

"These facts, coupled with your previous statements, indicate that a sense of charity is definitely lacking from your personality make-up. Lack of charity was criminalized by Amendment 53A subsection 17 of the State Constitution, version 9.01c. Do you dispute these facts?

"No."

"Then on what basis do you refute this charge?"

"It's my money…"

"… and you can do whatever you want with it. Yes. So you are saying that Amendment 53A subsection 17 of the State Constitution does not apply to you?"

"I'm saying that Amendment 53A is BULLSHIT! The state can't MANDATE the use of my own personal credits!"

"This is not about credits, Mr. Phearson. It is about your lack of concern for the welfare your fellow Citizens."

"I said it before… that is the STATE'S job!"

"And you are… or were… a member of the State, which makes it YOUR concern. But these facts clearly indicate that you have failed to fulfill your Obligations of Citizenship in this area. Is this not the case?"

"Yes."

"Yes it IS the case or yes this is NOT the case?"

"I keep my credits and I do what I want to with them, yes. If this is a crime, then fine… I'm guilty."

"As I said, your credits and their use is not the issue. The issue is that your spending patterns reveal a lack of humanitarianism that the State considers dangerous. Is this the case?"

"WHATEVER!!"

"Shall I change your plea to 'no contest' for this charge?"

"Yes. I'm a greedy selfish bastard. Fine."

The Officiate tapped a few keys, and then looked back up at Ernest.

"Next charge: Lack of Social Involvement. You have failed to dedicate the minimum of 55.0% of your elective hours to the pursuit of meaningful and stimulating social intercourse with fellow Citizens. To date, surveillance data show that only 7.0% of your elective hours have been spent actively engaged in socio-political interactions. Your avoidance of society is evidence of an asocial or schizoid personality disorder, as prohibited in Executive Order 2089-5942. Do you wish to dispute these facts?"

"The facts? No."

"Then on what basis do you dispute this charge?"

"What I do with my elective hours is my business."

"We've been through this before, Mr. Phearson."

"No we haven't. What are you talking about?"

"Perhaps the State will try a different approach… what do you do with your elective hours?"

"You don't know? You don't have it listed on your little screen there?"

"Humor me, Mr. Phearson."

"I like to read. I like to watch the holo-vids. These aren't GROUP activities. I do them and I enjoy doing them and I'm not going to change my hobbies just to fit some ridiculous norm."

"Plenty of socially active Citizens enjoy these same hobbies. They involve others, in hopes that everyone can share in their enjoyment. There are discussion groups and…"

"READING AND WATCHING VIDS ARE NOT TEAM SPORTS! I don't NEED anyone else's input in order to enjoy a GOOD FUCKING BOOK!"

"Calm down, Mr. Phearson."

"Calm down?!? You're not the one who's about to be ground up into little pieces and served as tomorrow's dinner!"

"Only if you are found guilty on all three charges. As it stands, you have only been convicted of one."

"I'm sure it's only a matter of time, then."

"Perhaps. Now... where were we?"

Ernest simply stared at the Officiate.

"Ahh, yes. Are there any extenuating circumstances that can help explain your... aversion to social activities?"

"I have already told you. The things I like to do can only be done alone. I don't NEED anyone else. I like to be alone."

"Well, Mr. Phearson... that is exactly the point. You have withdrawn from society. You are aloof. A loner. An independent non-contributor to the social order. These traits are indicative of a schizoid personality disorder. Your last three yearly Psych-Exams pointed out this tendency in your personal make-up, and you were referred to several State-appointed psychiatrists for voluntary consultation and treatment. You refused."

"... the operative word being 'voluntary'..."

"Schizoid. Anti-social. Asocial. Avoidant. All of these personality types were criminalized by Executive Order 2089-5942."

"There is nothing wrong with me."

"Then why didn't you report for psychiatric consultation?"

"BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME!! Does the word 'voluntary' mean ANYTHING to you? I am a healthy, normal human being and you are treating me like a criminal!"

"According to Executive Order 2089-5942 you are."

"Bullshit!!"

"Do you want to review the contents of Executive Order 2089-5942?"

"I don't care about any Executive Order. I am who I am and I do what I do! Sure, I keep to myself. I like to read and watch Vids...What is so wrong with that!"

"Are you aware that most acts of mass violence and domestic terrorism were committed by people like you? People who displayed the classic symptoms of schizoid personality disorder? Loners who had withdrawn from society, who constantly chose not to interact with their fellow Citizens. Who chose instead to participate solely in single-person activities, to the exclusion of any form of social intercourse. Most of them were avid readers, Mr. Phearson. Did you know that?"

"I don't care about that! I want-"

"Executive Order 2089-5942 cleared the way for these human time-bombs to be removed from our society."

"I'm not a threat to the State!!"

"The State decides what is and is not a threat. Schizoid personality disorder and similar disorders are precursors to crimes of mass violence against Citizens and property. The State must protect itself, and it cannot afford to wait until after the fact. It must be proactive. It must concentrate its efforts on prevention. On the elimination of potential danger before that potential is realized."

"What are you doing? You want me to AGREE with you that I should be taken out and dumped into a recycler? That I'm some kind of criminal just because of the kind of things I like to do in my own free time!?"

"Whether you agree with me is irrelevant. Your goal here is to get the State to agree with YOU. Now you know where the State stands. What do you have to say?"

"Say? What CAN I say?"

"Attempting to rationalize your behavior would be a waste of time. As would any attempts to challenge the validity or applicability of Executive Order 2089-5942. In addition, you have already accepted the supporting evidence as true."

"Which leaves me with jack."

"Excuse me?"

"Jack shit. Nothing. Nada. There's not a damn thing I can say."

"Quite right, Mr. Phearson. Do you now wish to accept the validity of this charge against you?"

"No."

"No?"

"No."

"Well what do you intend to do? I've just said that-"

"Find me guilty if you want, but I'm not going to accept that I'm a danger to society just because I keep to myself and I like to read books."

"Very well... The State finds you guilty of the wanton display of personality traits criminalized by Executive Order 2089-5942. Now, we have one final charge to appeal."

"Go right ahead."

"The third and final charge against you is Disconservatism. Your usage patterns for air, water, food, and electricity display a marked lack of any attempts at conservation. You consistently use your entire allotment of air, water, and electricity, and you have-"

"What does 'allotment' mean if I can't use as much of it as I want to? You want me to use less, then lower my rations or raise the tariffs so I can't afford as much. The State's done THAT plenty of times."

"So what you are saying is that you intentionally make NO attempt to conserve resources."

"I'm entitled to use as much as I am allowed under law. As much as I can afford."

"This is true."

"Then what the FUCK is the problem?!?"

"The problem is that resources are scarce. Any reduction in their use eases the burden of future Citizens who must already survive on less than what we have now."

"I repeat... by law, I am entitled to use as much of my resource allotments as I can afford."

"...And you can apparently afford quite a bit, considering your lack of charity."

"Oh, we're back on THAT again?"

"No. I'm sorry; I'll stick to the charge at hand."

"Please do. And please tell me what is wrong with using my entire allotment if I am allowed to do so by law?"

"Your usage patterns are not in violation, Mr. Phearson."

"Then why are we having this discussion?"

"I said the PATTERNS are not in violation, but the personality dynamics BEHIND those patterns were outlawed by Article 7, provisions 14A-B of Martial Order PER-125X12(m). Nonconservatism is a crime, Mr. Phearson. All citizens must show concern for the future of the State, and any behavior that indicates a LACK of this concern becomes suspect. Your resource usage patterns have cast doubt upon your-"

"Wait. Stop. Hold it right there."

"Yes? Do you wish to make a statement?"

"Damn Right, I'm gonna make a statement! The State cuts air and power rations to the bone, and then taxes the hell out of them, now they want people to use EVEN LESS?!?"

"How much you use isn't the question. It's WHY you use it. "

"Because it's MINE to USE! I buy my resources and pay my tariffs just like everyone else!"

"But, unlike everyone else, you make no attempt to conserve. You use all that is available to you in blatant disregard of the future of the State. Even your choice of quarters shows this... you occupy a wasteful uni-res dwelling even though the multi-dorms are much more efficient. They save space, air, power... everything that the State is running short of."

"I live here because I WANT to and because I can AFFORD to! I don't want to live in a soft plastic tube three inches away from someone else's unwashed ass!"

"You think your money allows you to be wasteful, is that it?"

"My money allows me to do whatever I want as long as it's legal. Last time I heard, the referendum to outlaw uni-res's was defeated."

"That is correct. But as I said before, your activities are not why your Citizenship has been revoked. It is the personality dynamics behind them. That is what Personality Crime is all about... the criminalization of certain personality traits that would cause a Citizen to eventually commit crimes against the State. Your behaviors are indicators that you possess those traits. Selfishness. Social Apathy. Wastefulness. "

"No, no, NO!"

"You admitted to the first charge of Lack of Charity. You were found guilty of Social Apathy. Now how do you wish to settle the remaining charge?"

"I admit to it and I'm tomorrow's entree. I contest it and I'm STILL tomorrow's entree."

"If that's how you wish to see it."

"How else am I supposed to see it! This is my LIFE we're talking about! You can't just take that away from me because you don't like the way I think!"

"Every Citizen knows that the Bill of Citizen's Obligations declared that life is a privilege, not a right. You are taught in school that you must EARN your right to exist as a member of the State. Citizenship... and life itself... has its obligations-"

"I pay my taxes. I go to work everyday... and I'm damn good at it, too!" Look at my work record!

"I have, Mr. Phearson. Most exemplary. But that is only a small portion of your obligation. A Citizen must also be socially engaged. He must care about the State and about his fellow citizens... even the ones who have yet to be born. You have failed to do these things, and so your privileges as a Citizen have been revoked."

"Because I keep what's mine, do what I want to do, and I won't eat recycled human flesh!?!"

"No. Because... to use your words... you are a greedy, selfish bastard who displays little or no interest in his fellow Citizens, present or future. The State doesn't need people like that, Mr. Phearson. In fact, it is the State's policy to rid itself of these negative and potentially dangerous personality types by whatever means It deems appropriate. You see, Mr. Phearson...It is people like you who nearly destroyed the world decades ago. People like YOU made the New World necessary. People like YOU built bombs, burned rainforests, and squandered nearly every natural resource this small planet contained. If the revolution and the New World hadn't come about, people like YOU would have most certainly ended mankind's tenure on the planet Earth. And now you stand before me begging for your existence so that you can continue ignoring your fellow man and wasting his children's precious resources. Now, Mr. Phearson, how do you plead to the final charge?"

His heart thumping in his chest, Ernest stared into the cold eyes of the Officiate.

"The State finds you guilty of all three counts: Lack of Charity, Social Apathy, and Nonconservatism. Your Citizenship and all associated privileges have been permanently revoked. You will be euthanized and your body will be processed for its vital minerals and nutritional content. Perhaps in death you can serve the State more appropriately than you did in life. Collection agents are now being dispatched. Good-bye, Mr. Phearson."

"Wait! I want another appeal! You can't do this!" The image of the Officiate faded, leaving Ernest alone in the room. As he had been all along. He stared at the empty space where the holo-image had been, then he began to smile.

"... they can't get in. They can't get in to get me! I-I'll tear out the floor... and then I'll... I'll...." Ernest's thoughts became frantic and increasingly jumbled. He tried to calm himself down, until he realized that it was not fear that was robbing him of his mind... it was the air. Ernest's breath rate had soared as his lungs tried to scrape the last remaining oxygen molecules from the air around him. Soon there was none at all. The Officiate, satisfied that it had offered him his final appeal, had simply shut off the oxygen supply to Ernest's room.

As Ernest collapsed, his eyes fell upon the food dispenser. He smiled giddily, wondering who would be eating him tomorrow.

Copyright 1998 by Marc Washington