>>7275198part 2/3
“Well Jack, you may be happy to know that your paper, your masterpiece, is being published in literary, philosophical, and mainstream journals and magazines throughout the world. Both your contemporaries and posterity will benefit from your work Jack. Congratulations; you’ve made it. By this time next week, the whole world will know your name. You’re going to be respected Jack, you’ll have more friends, award ceremonies, parties to attend than you’ll know what to do with. I say again: congratulations; you’ve made it.”
I bet they think that I’m excited. Instead, I have that bitter feeling of receiving something you deserve, but it being too little, too late. I want this conversation to be over. Daniel’s a nice enough guy to talk to, but I hate Mr. Duncan and want to leave.
“So then why am I chained up? Why are we in this room?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even. I try to make it clear that I want to talk about anything other than my paper or my supposed brilliance. Who are they to decide whether or not I am a genius? I’m not any better than anyone else. That’s what I’ll tell them.
Mr. Duncan starts talking. My foot starts tapping. He doesn’t mind. His monologue will outlast it.
“Jack, young bright mind that you are, the board is prepared to offer you a special and, mind you, somewhat secretive, position.”
“It’s about time,” I say, trying to appear uninterested.
Duncan drags on, his speech almost matching the slow rhythm of my tapping.
“See, we’ve always known you were special Jack; it’s no secret that your intelligence quotient is off the charts. But we’ve been waiting for the right time for you to, what’s the word, bloom. See, we’ve found that in, uh, special cases such as yours, a bit of tough love is necessary before the real work begins. Do you know what we mean Jack? We want you to continue your writing.
In fact, you’re going to write for the rest of your life.” He smiles. I hate him.
For the rest of my life? He can’t tell me what to do. I tell him so.
“Oh yes we can,” He counters, suddenly intense, “and we are. Don’t you see it’s for the benefit of mankind? A mind such as yours, it, it would be a sin not to get—I mean make— the most we can out of it. Do you understand what I’m getting at, Jack? This would be a lot easier with your cooperation.”
My cooperation? Like they’re the ones accomplishing something that will happen with or without me?
“First uncuff me. This is ridiculous.” I demand. I’m starting to sweat. It’s hot in this room. I hate Duncan and even Daniel now seems more sinister.
“See, that’s the issue Jack. We don’t want to lose you. So we’ll be keeping you here. We’re going to put your mind to good use, son.”
