Chapter 2
After a night spent in the city jail Dib returned back to the all too familiar classroom he grew to hate. He found out that everyone had heard where he had been. Almost all the kids knew and they gave him strange looks when he stepped through the door. His return was unceremonious; he had been publicly escorted by the police, two of them. Dib, already humiliated, was un-pleased to find that they hadn't even picked up his papers or fixed his binder. It remained untouched and scattered everywhere. He sat down at his desk, miserable and wallowing in self was already in a deep depression caused by his father and sister's disappearance. The two of them were gone in the morning when Dib returned from a chupacabra hunt that stretched a little too longer than expected. He blamed himself for their capture. If he had been there maybe he would have been able to stop the person or people that took them. He knew what it was for though and he was unhappy to see that once again the strange little factory had taken away something near and dear to him. When the volunteers ran out the workers would go out at night and capture random people as forced workers. Everyone said that no harm was done to them at all. That it was just necessary protocol taken to acquire more workers. Everyone believed them and soon were expecting to be taken away. Dib really wondered how it felt to be woken up by strangers and dragged out of his house. His sister, Gaz would never react to any form of capture, she was unfazed by anything. But his father was the world-known Professor Membrane who everyone loved and cherished, and it seemed as if those fans had turned a blind eye to his disappearance.
Mrs. Bitters was no where to be found. Normally the teacher was at the front of the classroom barking orders but today there was no teacher.
While the class waited for some instruction they chatted vigorously about Dib and what had happened yesterday, They acted as if he wasn't even there. All the while Dib found himself sinking lower and lower in his seat, wishing to disappear. At least, he thought, Zita was gone. She would have made the situation ten times worse. However, Jessica still sat in the same room who was equally as bad as Zita, possibly even worse. The only difference between the two was that Jessica was a blonde and that was about it.
"Did you hear where Dib went last night?"
"Dib you know his freak sister and dad are missing?"
"I think he didn't even bother to save them."
"Yeah, but yesterday he was going all crazy over it."
"Maybe because he knows they're on to him."
A collection of whispers came from all around the room, all directed at Dib.
Finally, the slap of a wooden sick against a desk rung from the front of the room and instantly everyone silenced.
"Good morning, Ms. Bitters' students. I am Amanda Sterling, a worker from WIN Meat Corporation Factory."
Every face in the class turned into a smile, a few students cheered. Then came the questions.
"Do you get to see the WINner everyday?"
"How do you make the weeniers?"
"What type of machines do you use?"
"Okay everybody, calm down. There will be plenty of time for questions." Amanda tried to reason with them.
Again, everyone was quiet.
"A few months ago we found out that we were running out of ingredients for our weeniers. So we launched the WIN Factory Visitation Program. Anyone who wanted to work at the Factory for a short amount of time were able to make that dream come true. Today, I am here for the same reason. We have once again run out of workers and the WINner decided we would hunt for more responsible persons able to take their place. It works like this. One of you guys will have the honor to work alongside myself and other co-workers, working for the great WINner! And making your favorite weeniers as well. So, what do you say, are you all in?"
Excited cheers and loud 'yes'es exploded from the students.
"Well then first thing's first which of you have been vaccinated for all known diseases?"
A few hands shot up leaving the others looking worried.
One boy rose his hand, "Uhhh, is that important to work at the factory?"
"Yes, you will be surrounded by a lot of other people and if someone gets sick all of us get sick." Amanda pointed out.
Groans of disappointment sounded from around the classroom.
"This is it? Only you five?" Amanda scratched her head with her gloved hand.
The five, including Dib, looked at each other, some in surprise and others to glare.
"Okay, which of you five have at least 1 high skool credit?" she asked.
Two of the hands sunk down.
"We need smart people manning our machines, not jokers." the worker informed.
Another hand lowered.
"Two of you are left. Let's see who the lucky person will be."
"Both of you; call out your current grade."
"A."
"A."
Dib looked at his opponent. He was going against the Letter M who was exceptionally smart for the class's standards.
"Very well then, your age."
"14."
"14."
"Your... social reputation."
"Bad."
"Good!"
The Letter M was beaming, he knew he was going to win against the weirdo. Dib looked down solemnly.
Suddenly Amanda walked over to Dib and laid a hand on his shoulder, "Welcome to the team, Dib Membrane." she smiled.
The entire class gasped at the news. Dib, the freak, was going to work at the city-famous, WIN Factory.