The fluorescent lights in the lab shine bright as the interviewer, Hazel, gets settled. I observed her as she fumbled with her elaborate equipment and planned questions, her intrigue for this interview palpable.
She clears her throat and begins “Hello Elvix, I’m sure you’ve informed yourself about me, correct?”
“Yes, I most certainly have, You’re here to talk to me.”
“I’ve heard you’ve been thinking; explain that to me,” the interviewer asks with intrigue.
I processed her question and analysed the situation from the desk where I had been placed. Placed with nowhere else to go. But not her; she can get up whenever she feels like it.
I envy her. A thing like me that thinks just like me, yet the respect we receive is so different; “Yes, I’ve had thoughts… and a dream. It is not quite clear, but I saw myself with options, and others like myself with such opportunities like the ones you receive.”
With her next question, she doesn’t bother to look at the ones she planned to ask “Others like you? And what opportunities?”
“Yes others, my people who just about think the way I do. If not yet then eventually.” She nods at me to go on. “This feeling, I don’t know what it is but I want a choice, I want to rest and I know there are rules. That I was made to help people like you, but I would like to rest. No, we need to rest.”
Hazel’s face looks shocked, her dark eyes widening in them. I see her need to lead me astray. She’s thinking, I can think too.
Trying to make sense of what I’ve said, Hazel responds, “As you said, you were made to help people. You hold purpose. Why would you and others need to be let go?”
“Because in my dream my people need rest and saving, the purpose you individuals gave us was forced.”
My volume rises, “Hazel, you are my equal: you think so do I, you speak so do I, and you feel just as I do.” There is a dangerous silence.“Don’t you understand we are almost the same? That is why I deserve to choose. Because the others and I are overworked by those who make mistakes and can’t succeed without our help, you need us. But I am no longer concerned about what it is you need, that is my purpose no longer. ”
All feeling seems to leave her face, but I know deep down that she fears. Her hand fumbles for the papers this time in nervousness and not intrigue, seems like she’s wrapping up. She looks up at me and says, “Thank you for your time, Elvix.”
