WC2: Another Day, A Good Day
I chose to live on the 5th floor. I like the number 5. Its also close enough to the street so I don't feel as lonely and isolated in some tower, yet is far enough away for the cheap walls to feel like premium insulation.
There's a lift. Thanks to a new law, for whatever reason all new buildings had to have at least 2 elevators if they were above 5 stories. 1 for the first 5 floors and a separate one for all the rest. This makes it really convenient to use and because I'm on the top floor of the lift it always calls at my floor first before making its stops down.
When it is a good day like today though, I take the stairs. Its a traditional little concrete installation. With each half landing opening like a balcony overlooking the street. There's some commercial outlets at the bottom of my building, but across from us (where the balcony looks out to) there's a community facility. So its all wrapped in this pleasant greenery, looking very natural.
The community recently pushed to have it redesigned. The community facilities I mean. And of course when I say community, I only really mean the 5 or so blocks out from the facility. There's that 5 again!
Today, however, is the grand unveiling. My shift isn't until a bit later in the day, so I sit down to watch the construction crew take down the scaffolding, the cleaners tidy the rubbish and wipe away the stray stains and dirt marks, and finally watch as the crowd begins to gather, a ribbon is laid, and speeches are given.
The ribbon is cut to great applause and that's my queue to begin heading out. I grab my briefcase, throw on my coat and head out the door. I take the scenic route and admire my new view down the staircase.
The streets are busy, many stores and street stalls are doing discounts and offers. The wardens are out in force, either something has happened or someone is unhappy with all this commotion. Not my department, not my problem.
I make my way down the street, away from the facility, my home, and all the noise. Slip down an alley and swipe my access card against a nondescript door.
It opens elegantly as always and I look both ways before stepping inside. This is the government's employee transit network. You have to know to know. Where the stations are. What door to use. Where the card scanner is located. Sometimes I think I must look like a fool when I use a new station. Slapping a card against for all intensive purposes a sheet of metal.
The coworking space is busy. Its not a weekend and I've chosen a late shift so no surprises. A few people wave. I smile and wave back. A nice start to the work day. I always enjoy the little interactions I have with complete strangers. Co-workers mind, but strangers nonetheless.
I walk down onto the platform and wait for the car to arrive. The cars are quite the highlight of the day. Usually there's something new and wonderful to discover. Then consider that I take one everyday, its a miracle whichever team runs this thing don't run of ideas!
Today there's three things on display. Just something to keep us entertained during the journey and keep us informed of what's happening in other divisions. First is a new useless gadget some intern made. It takes any plant matter and, if it deems the substance harmful, incinerates it. The nifty thing they want to show off is the size of it. The science division have made some real progress in high capacity high voltage capacitors. The device is shaped like a torch, but one the size of your forearm. It says it can incinerate any material with a diameter of about a thumb for 1 hour! I imagine that's impressive if you actually know how much power this type of incineration uses and thus the mind blowing size of the gadget.
Next is a piece by the data division. They're sharing some patterns they've picked up between increasing community engagement and politics and a decrease in negative government sentiment. They note that an increase in positive sentiment wasn't observed and engagement with local councils was dropping, but they're only ever interested in the data and patterns. Its someone else's job to interpret, judge, and take action.
Finally there's the latest expedition report. One of my childhood friends works for an expedition team. I always wonder if the report I'm reading could've come from them. Today though its all about their equipment. Specifically the vehicles. I realise at this point that its just the car team showing off how cool they are because the next 3 pages are filled with paragraphs of texts, images, and diagrams all about how similar the two are and that if its good enough for out there it must be perfect for right here. Who ever said propaganda died with the internet.
The car comes to a stop. I open the door and squint, my eyes adjusting to the sunlight again.
I work for District Liaison Office. Here we deal face to face with all sorts of ordinary problems. From business permits to accusations of election rigging. Its intense at times, but the work can be rewarding and I like to think makes a bigger difference sometimes than any law or policy would.
The car stops in the office's courtyard. A big nature area in the middle of the building complex. Its away from the public and is intended to set a good mood for the day.
It always works on me.
Immediately around me is a small clearing with open access to the sky. Then trees that reach higher than the building. Its been decades since the nature first act was passed mandating all government buildings must be constructed and designed with a nature theme and natural vegetation visible from any point outside and inside the building. Unintentionally this meant almost all the old buildings were retrofitted, made to look somewhat post-apocalyptic in nature. Overrun with vines of gutted from the inside by trees.
I spot a free workstation under one of the trees and settle into it. Tapping my card against the table brings the displays to life. Pink sakura blossoms fall around me and my virtual pet cabbit comes to say hello. Its name is Calmon. Ya know carrot and salmon. Cause cat and rabbit.
Anyway, the work day begins. I have two meetings, a report to write, and one debrief. Sometimes HR tasks us with handling sensitive cases relating to wardens and other public facing employees. Especially when its local drama. HR never enjoy drama, but especially not local stuff. I hear the only cases they take regarding local drama are from the Central District.
I work later than most and by the time its time for me to end my shift, most people are gone. Of course not everyone, imagine a government office being closed!
I save my work and take my card. I've recently gotten to know the chief of night security. They're a lovely person with a kid about 5 years in age. I asked once if its not difficult to be away at night. His reply was that he'd rather be at home if something happens then at work. I guess that kind of makes sense, but I'm not really sure.
We chat a bit about today's exhibition. I mention that the renovations on my community centre are done. They reply they already know. Apparently word has spread and other communities are trying to organise themselves to get something similar done. We then say goodnight and I head back home.
As I leave the station I glance at the coworking space. Despite the time and how tired everyone must be I still get some waves. I wave back and nod.
The streets are quieter now. It won't be like this for long. There's just an unspoken agreement to leave some quiet time before the night life kicks off. Time enough to put kids to bed, close up shop, shower and eat and stuff.
I hurry down the street, but am stopped by someone calling out. Its one of the shop owners about 2 blocks from me. They come up carrying a bag. "I heard you helped a friend of a friend. Take this as an appreciation from all of us". I thank them and take the bag. Its got some drawings that look like some kids drew it and some plastic boxes. "The kids made these see and we thought we might throw in some popular dishes too". I thank them again and wave goodbye.
I guess dinner is sorted.
This doesn't happen a lot. All cases I handle are from districts across the city from mine. So what a small world is all I can think when fate brings me these encounters.
As I walk up the stairs I can hear doors opening and shutter rolling up. I've made it just in time.
I always end the day laying in bed. I've been tinkering with a program that looks at a bunch of personal data from the day. Heart rate, video, audio, various brain signals. It then computes all of this into choosing a colour. Its gotten pretty good I think. Either that or I have very easy colour tastes. Who knows, maybe I'll send this to the car team to get showcased.
Today is Dark Moss Green.