The Taskmaster

"Next task: Remove lid. Next task: Grasp can. Next task: raise can to lips. Next task: tilt head back. Next task: swallow contents. Next task: place can in aluminum grinder. Next task: walk to window. Next task: lift scrubber from basin. Next task: Wipe window until further notice."

[Hand continues to rotate against the glass, wiping the dirt off with clear swift strokes, dipping into the basin after every third round]

"Next task: Observe task underlings in iron ore mine. Detail findings."

[Steps in north-easterly direction. Descends Loading Platform in 12.5 minutes. Records task underlings in various jobs. Behavior evaluations below]

Underling 12E651G: Holds flashlights steady. Does job effectively.
Underling 12E652G: Weighs and analyzes ore samples. Does job adequately.
Underling 12E653G: Idle. Appears in shock.
Underli

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Sept 2, Year Withheld
Underling 20F111A Malfunction Report:

"Something strange has happened. Do not think at all that this is a typical occurrence. Task underlings evaluate their performance, but this is different. I am analyzing my own reaction to a set of circumstances. I am a quality task underling; I manage underlings less intelligent than I. Somehow, here I am, writing not for work, but to record my thoughts. The orders in my head are getting harder to hear. The very thought of such behavior--rather, the behavior of thought--is ludicrous."

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Dearest Loretta,

This is what I remember since the Great Moment. I know that the end for me is near, but don't despair. I have had a chance to see life the way it was meant to be, and that is so much better than those around me were graced with. I feel truly blessed.

During the Great Moment, I felt a pain in my head and soon it spread to all my limbs. I fell to the ground, and when I woke up I was dazed for a time. The world around me seemed out of focus, but as I sat there desperately trying to figure out what I should do, the realization began to sink in that there were no commands in my head. I grew very excited. No longer was I being given tasks that I could not control!

Anyone who has not experienced life as a Task Underling can never understand. It is a life in which your actions and movements are as automatic as your breath and the dogged beating of your heart. The Task Monitor implanted in your skull overpowers any independent thoughts your brain might put out, and all you can do is what the Task Monitor tells you to do. It is like a fog over your mind, and only one as lucky as I who has experienced life both with and without a Task Monitor can appreciate the difference.

Once I found myself free of constant orders, I ignored my prior duty of monitoring the Underlings under my watch. I instead ascended the loading platform and exited the Iron Ore Station. For the first time, I actually took in and comprehended what I had walked past every day since I was old enough to walk. There were dozens of Underlings just like me milling about, all with LEDs on their scalps flashing red each time they were assigned a new task. Once I noticed this, I knew that something very strange had happened to me. I didn't really know who I was, or where to go, and I was no longer excited, but terrified. All I had known in my existence was being told what to do-- putting free will in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to use it is an incredibly paralyzing experience.

This new sense of terror began to grab hold of me. Before I knew it, salty water was streaming from my eyes. At the time, I had no idea what feelings were, only that they were incredibly different from simply hearing tasks and performing them. This world seemed so lonely and desolate, and I feared for my safety, something I had never even been able to do before. Once I finally collected myself, I decided to explore. I had no idea what I would find, but I had to move.

The path of the Underlings was long and narrow, but they all moved in perfect step, evenly spaced and without incident. I arrived at my sleeping stall, where I had spent my entire life when not working, hauled up against the wall and forced into a state of unconsciousness. As I moved around the dark, putrid stalls, I noticed for the first time that there was a corridor in the middle of the building right next to the Food Bin and the Letter Holders. Curious, I followed the corridor for several minutes until it was completely dark all around me. When I was just beginning to feel frantic and wanted to turn back, I noticed a small light at the end. With an unfamiliar warmth licking at my heart, I started to move quickly. I had never run before, and it was exhilarating. The light grew larger and more vivid, pouring in to the dank tunnel as best as it could, dodging bits of gravel and dust. My blood began to feel warm and I started to sweat. Suddenly, there was a pressure in my chest, and I couldn't keep going. I was afraid I was about to die, but after breathing a little harder and not moving, I recovered.

And then, dearest Loretta, I emerged from the Underlings' world. It was the most incredible thing my virgin eyes had ever witnessed. The strange light I had seen before now flooded the air, and an unfamiliar invisible force caressed my skin and bare head. I marveled at the crystal blue stream that wound its way through the heart of the area, and the small stone bridge, so eloquently proportioned, that connected the two halves together. There were buildings all over, splendid little houses with wispy plumes of light blue smoke extending from open mouths of brick and mortar, windows of bright white glass, and quaint paths of cobblestones leading up to welcoming wood porches. There were strange plants, like body hair, but green, that covered the land outside these houses. A flat road of red dirt was situated so that it met at the bridge and branched out like tree limbs past these houses and connected to each one's path. But, naturally, the most surprising thing of all was the appearance of the inhabitants of this strange world.

They had hair on their heads of all colors, and they were much bigger around. Their skin wasn't pale and stained with soot and grime, but rosy and peach, inviting the light that danced across their faces in pleasant patterns. Instead of nakedness, these people had long strips of attractive cloth to cover their bodies. They laughed and ran. Some sat at the edge of the stream with long strings dipped into the water.

Once I had taken in this scene, I realized just how odd I must appear. I was naked, dirty, bald-- emaciated, pale, and sickly. How I wasn't discovered right then by these keen folk, I do not know. I noticed a row of trees at the edge of the town and hastened for it. No one seemed to see me at all. When darkness fell (a surprise to me), I figured it was safe to move and slunk to the stream. After making sure no one was watching, I dipped my unclothed body into the cool water. I took in a sharp breath as chills pricked my feet and ankles, but I kept dipping lower anyway. I stood transfixed as the dirt that had caked my body for so long began to wash away. Then, something strange happened. The corners of my mouth began to pull upwards, and before long my teeth were soothed in the cool air of the evening, and I felt rejuvenated. A first smile, my love, is not to be taken lightly.

I caught a fish in that stream and ate it. I had no idea that some parts weren't meant to be eaten. There was no concept in my mind of picking parts of the fish as good. I was starving, in the true sense of the word. Suddenly ravenous, I rummaged through garbage at the base of people's houses and partook of the plentiful harvest. It was like nothing I had ever tasted before. When light began to peek over the mountains at the horizon, I scurried back into hiding among the trees. People began to move around again.

Children began to frolic among flowers. Then, a beautiful noise rang out. I turned and saw you. You were beautiful, a true embodiment of the town in which you live. You had long, bountiful streams of blond hair billowing behind you, a pair of deep azure pools for eyes, and soft, peach skin. I fell in love with you before I knew what love was, my dear.

Self-consciousness kept me from going up to you then, but I watched you for days afterwards, drinking in your grace and loveliness. I noticed that, as I was no longer an Underling, I began to get hair on my head just like everyone else here. My stomach began to expand as I feasted on fish, cool freshwater, bread, and all sorts of amazing new things. I found someone's discarded garments and put them on, discovering a new sense of comfort and security. The sun turned my skin a healthier color as I would run through the fields while everyone was eating at midday. I was struck by the truth that I could be just like the people in this amazing world if I was given the chance.

One day, I was discovered. I had gotten so used to everyone staying inside at midday, that I didn't notice someone wandering outside. I panicked and began to run, but he caught up to me.

I was terrified at first, but this person was very friendly to me, so I calmed down. He was an attractive young fellow, probably a young adult, with red hair and a radiant smile. "Hi there, I'm Freddy. What's your name?"

I was dumbstruck. He had produced a noise from his mouth. I opened mine to try to reciprocate, but nothing came. I had never spoken before. I had never uttered a single sound. I fumbled for paper, as I knew how to write well (it was my main task).

Hello, Freddy. I cannot speak, but my name is [I thought briefly] Phil. I think Phil is a good name.

Freddy laughed. "Yes, it is a good name indeed! I wonder, though, why I haven't seen you around here before. Are you from another town?"

I don't know how I got here. I am from somewhere else, but I'm not quite sure how I would explain it to you.

"Oh, that's okay. You're welcome to come to eat with my family and me. I was just finishing up delivering the last round of daily rations to the Underlings."

I felt my heart pound. Daily rations?

Oh? What do you mean?

"You don't know about the Underlings? That's strange. All right, well, these things work underground in mines and factories and assembly lines. This clothing I'm wearing, these buildings all over here, everything, is made possible from their work. My job is to deliver cans of nutrition to them so they can keep working. They don't have drinkable water or edible food down there, just metal and dirt and cloth. Anyway, we don't need to talk about them. Come and eat with me!"

I followed Freddy after a glance towards the opening to the corridor. The world seemed just a little darker.

When we got to his house, he opened the front door and held it for me. We went inside and I saw it was just as beautiful as outside, with elaborate paintings, lush vegetation in pots, and gorgeous architecture. His family was sitting at an ornately decorated and polished table with equally ornate dishes and silverware, and huge piles of meat, vegetables, and wine at their places. He introduced his mother, father, and little sister. They all seemed nice, and welcomed me warmly. I wasn't really familiar with what a family was, but I tried to behave normally. It was easy to concentrate on the food instead, because this was my first real meal, and it was divine. Life up here seemed to be getting better and better.

"Well, Phil, that's really a shame about not being able to speak," Freddy's mother said sympathetically. "I bet you were teased a lot about being like an Underling in Children's School."

Oh yes, it was terrible to be like an Underling.

She clicked her tongue sympathetically. "Well, we've all got our problems. Poor Freddy was always a little short for his age, and was bullied relentlessly for it." It was probably good that I couldn't say anything.

They invited me to live with them until I could have my own place built. To do this, I would have to get a job to afford the bricks and mortar and wood. I expressed my gratitude on paper and asked where I might get a job.

Freddy said, "If you want, you can get a job with me delivering the rations to the Underlings. I know it's a terrible job, but I could sure use the company. It can get really lonely over there."

I agreed after a brief hesitation. That night, I went to sleep in a spare cot they had stored in a closet. It was an incredible sleep. I luxuriated in the bed for hours and hours after I woke up. When Freddy came and got me, we both got dressed and went across town to a conspicuously drab building. I went in after him. In a side room, there were crates and crates of cans. He and I loaded the crates onto carts. As we pushed them towards the exit, I noticed a large room with a locked door and a strange picture on it.

I stopped moving and wrote: What is that room?

"Oh that one? That's the Taskmaster's office."

I felt my body shudder and quickly wrote: Who is the Taskmaster?

Freddy's normally cheerful and light demeanor abruptly turned clouded and dark. "Phil, it's not important. We try not to dwell on that. Come on."

We pushed the carts to the edge of town, while he chatted with me about all sorts of amazing things they did in the town. I once again looked back down the tunnel from which I had emerged so many days ago. It was a strange mix of feelings in my heart, knowing where I came from and where I wanted to be. Freddy lifted his cart in first and I followed him with mine. We walked back down the hall, and I saw the sunlight fade into nothing behind me. Minutes later, we emerged in the world of the Underlings, and I saw them again.

They looked different than I remembered them. Worse, now. They were nearly skeletons, all bald and more mechanical in movement than I thought. I looked into their eyes and was shocked to find how dead they appeared. Freddy didn't seem to pay any mind to them. "There's the Food Bin," he said, pointing. "Dump the cans in there; we have several more trips, then we can go to the Job Office and collect some pay after our hard work."

How long will it take to finish?

"Don't worry, Phil. It will be maybe 2 hours, but then we have the rest of the day to do whatever. It's pretty bad, I know, but once you have your own place and it's fully paid for, you are automatically free to quit working if you wish. It takes a lot of hard work for many years to fully pay for your own place, of course, but you'll have something amazing to show for all that work at the end!"

I nodded. We went back to pick up more cans, and I kept stealing glances at the Taskmaster's door each time, trying to understand who and what was in there. When we finished, we went back to the house to eat, and then Freddy took me out to the field. We tossed back and forth a small round object he called a ball. As we did, I saw the children come and do their strange games. And then you showed up again.

I felt the blood drain from my face, and suddenly there was a sharp pain in my forehead. It took me a short while to realize Freddy had tossed me the ball and I had caught it with my face. I was on the ground, and you and Freddy ran up to me.

"Are you all right?" your sweet, soothing voice asked with concern. I smiled and sat up.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said. Freddy looked at me in shock.

"You just said something!" he cried. "You can talk!" His hands flew to his head as he gaped at me.

I blinked rapidly. "You're right." I felt a smile creep back on my face.

You just looked at me with a mix of amusement and curiosity. "My name is Loretta," you said. "Who might you be? I don't think I've seen you around here before."

"Oh, I'm Phil," I replied and stood up unsteadily.

"Nice to meet you, Phil," you said, and extended your hand. I looked at it and then bent down to kiss it. You blushed.

"Nice to meet you too," I whispered as I stared at you. That feeling that had overcome me the first time I laid eyes on you returned with a vengeance. I couldn't keep from gazing upon your beautiful face, peering into your amazing eyes that I just would lose myself in.

Freddy cleared his throat impatiently. "Okay, Phil's all right and introductions have been made. Don't you have to be getting back to teach the children, Loretta?"

She flashed a gorgeous smile at me and said, "Yes, I'm afraid so. I hope to see you again, Phil." With that, she turned and walked back to the children, who were running around and laughing.

Freddy eyed me warily. "So, Phil, you claimed you couldn't talk?"

I swallowed hard. "I don't know what happened! I didn't think I could."

After a short silence, he sighed. "Yeah, well, maybe that welt on your forehead is explanation enough." I felt it gingerly and winced.

For the rest of the afternoon I looked at you as often as I could. You were enchanting. I couldn't get enough of you. I don't think I ever would be able to, my dear.

You know the rest, don't you? I did that job with Freddy each day, spent more and more time with you each afternoon, and somehow I ended up in your home that fateful night. The lights were low, there was a peaceful and romantic song playing in the living room, and I was lazing next to you on the luxurious couch there.

Your beautiful, smooth hands began to rub my shoulders, and I melted into your embrace. Your deep blue eyes gleamed as you pressed yourself against me. Our lips met, and the world seemed to fall away. We were so passionate, so in love, that nothing else seemed to matter. I placed my hands around your waist as I kissed you deeply.

Then, you ran your fingers through my hair and bumped something rough on the top of my head. Everything lurched to a halt, and as the love in your eyes turned to confusion, my world shifted to slow motion. You parted my hair and saw a small, hard object protruding from my scalp. You screamed and pushed me away, and started sobbing. I tried to console you with every ounce of energy in my weak voice, but you wouldn't.

"Who are you?" you screamed, over and over, each time a deeper wound forming in my fragile heart.

"I'm Phil," I insisted, trying to hold you. You resisted and stood up.

"Oh no! You have to go, Phil," you said tearfully. "No one can know about you, or us. Especially not my father."

"Why not your father?" I asked uncertainly.

"Just go, quickly!" you hissed between sobs, pulling me off the couch and dragging me to the door. I had started sobbing too. I looked at your horrified face between blurry tears and never forgot it.

When you opened the door, Freddy was there, grinning oddly. I didn't think anything of it at the time, too distraught about us. You greeted him wanly and waved good-bye to us both. I went home with him and crawled into my cot, miserable and hopeless. When I woke up the next day, Freddy was nowhere to be found. However, his family behaved differently towards me. Even his lazy father was cold to me. I went over to the gray, plain stone building where the cans were stored like I had done every day, figuring I ought to feed the Underlings if Freddy wasn't going to. I couldn't abandon them.

When I opened the door, I immediately noticed that the Taskmaster's usually-locked door was wide open. Nervous and curious, I crept over and peeked inside. There was a huge panel on the opposite wall, with dozens of endless sheets of paper printing and LED lights flashing everywhere. In a corner there were boxes of LEDs and attached to the LEDs were long, pointy rods. The Task Monitors. On the wall next to me were rows of lockers, apparently marked with the Underlings' identification tags. I was so engrossed in the scene that I didn't hear anyone step into the room.

"Excuse me, Phil?" a voice called. I turned around and saw Freddy grinning triumphantly, shoulder to shoulder with a strange man that I hadn't seen before.

"Hello, Phil," the man said grimly. He was a tall, balding man with patches of white hair sprinkled on the back of his head. His nose was sharp and thin, protruding from an angular forehead and set between deep sunken gray eyes.

"Who are you?" I asked, though I already knew.

His nose and eyes crinkled with deep wrinkles as he grinned proudly. "Why, I am the Taskmaster. And, I must express my greatest relief at having found you, Underling 20F111A. When I read the malfunction report, I was very worried about you. We looked all over and couldn't find you, and your Task Monitor signal was gone, so we feared the worst. I'm afraid that because you evaded our search parties, you have already been replaced by one of our prison's most dangerous inmates, so your services will no longer be required."

"My services? What's going on?" I started to feel panic again and noticed I was shaking all over.

"20F111A," the Taskmaster said calmly, "your existence is no longer necessary. We will house you in a cell tonight and exterminate you tomorrow."

Freddy grabbed me and said, "Nice try, Underling. Trying to pretend you could be one of us. Trying to steal the affection of a beautiful girl from a worthy recipient like me? You lowly, disgusting, worthless creature!" Freddy kicked me in the stomach and I fell onto my back.

The Taskmaster sighed. "Freddy, stop fooling around and take him to the cell."

Freddy looked back at the Taskmaster with frustration, obviously torn. Suddenly, that odd grin slipped up his rosy cheeks again. He locked eyes with the Taskmaster and said, "But he tried to sleep with your daughter!"

The old man's face suddenly grew dark, contorted with fury. I was still reeling from the blow to my stomach, and I barely had time to notice his quivering lips and chin as he drew back his fist and slammed it into my jaw. I heard a crack and realized it was broken. Blood flew from my face and I fell to my knees. "How dare you defile a precious young woman with your vile and loathsome presence!" the Taskmaster spat hatefully. After the two had had their fill of beating me senseless, Freddy dragged me down the hall through a new door and shoved me into a cell.

Broken and bloody, I called through my swollen jaw, "Freddy, why are you doing this to me? We were friends!"

Freddy shook his head angrily. "You pretended to be one of us! You were an Underling all along. How can you expect me to be a friend to that?" He was gesticulating wildly, obviously in great distress.

"But Freddy, when you didn't think I was an Underling, you and I got along great. I was just like everyone else here. I worked, and played, and even fell in love."

At that, Freddy scowled with a hatred I had never fathomed possible. "You don't know anything about love!" he growled. After a deep breath, he leaned in close to me, curled his lips into a despicable grin, and whispered, "You will die tomorrow." Then he was gone. I felt my eyes begin to leak with tears once again, and for a time, all was silent except for the occasional clanging of cell doors being slammed. Suddenly, I remembered that I always had paper with me as an Underling, because I was in charge of recording the other Underlings' tasks.

With renewed excitement, I took out this paper and began to write this letter. I wanted you to know how it all happened. I know you loved me. And, dear Loretta, oh how I loved you! I long to see your beautiful face once more. I hear the door opening. It is early morning. I think they come for me. Never forget how much I cared for you, Loretta. You are all that made this brief life worth living. Good-bye, Loretta.

Yours forever,
Phil

Underling 20F111A

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Oct 1, Year Withheld
Underling 20F111A Termination Record:

Underling experienced a temporary, accidental respite from Task Control. Cause of malfunction unknown. During this respite, he attempted to integrate into the surface society. His disappearance and subsequent failure to reappear prompted the Taskmaster to make a new Task Underling out of inmate 20F111B, held in cell 20C. Upon recovering Underling 20F111A on Sept 30, he was stored in cell 30B for 9 hours and then taken to the execution block. The Taskmaster ended Underling 20F111A's service through several puncture wounds, which resulted in several hours of bleeding. Approximately 45 attended the extermination. Underling 20F111A's time of departure was 2:41 PM.

Official Release of Duty for Underling 20F111A

Signed,

The Taskmaster