Gale POV:
I made it to breakfast but had to eat like a bat out of hell to make the shuttle on time. Good thing I don't have to cook for myself. I'd starve to death. Every meal in District 14 is a unique experience. With so many different cultures in our pod, our chef has to bring a wide variety of dishes to the table to please many palates. Foods I've never heard of I now eat without question. I am used to wild game, hearty soups and wholesome breads. Now I eat bobotie, fajitas, moussaka, risotto, sushi and soya. You look 'em up. I do well enough just to remember the names of the food, much less what's in them. I've even stopped reading the weekly menu. What's the point? It seems to be written in languages long forgotten and I don't have the patience to learn them now. Just put my plate in front of me and I'll do my best to eat what's on it.
The shuttle ride was uneventful, as usual. It's a quick 15 minute ride that I usually spend mentally preparing myself for the day ahead. Today I'm having difficulty concentrating. The shower did little to ease my frustrations and I had to take matters into my own hands, literally. It wasn't enough. God, I know she's out there somewhere. The one you created just perfectly for me. Help me find her and find her soon before I go mad. Completely and unconditionally, sexually frustrating, stark raving MAD!
I check PIIA and see a new message has arrived. PIIA stands for Primary Integral Intelligence Apparatus. A mouthful, huh? Basically it takes the place of all forms of communication and information – phones, internet, video, etc… and is built into our clothing. It provides free wireless audio and video of any sort anywhere we go. Video is emitted as holographic images and can be viewed anywhere. Likewise, the audio can transmit into brain waves we can communicate with. No hardware or software required. This system was created by some geniuses hired by President Paylor to ease the cost of communication and information for each district. It also allows the Capitol to monitor the population, a constant census if you will. With the birth of District 14, it also enables us to know who is in what district and which district needs how much oxygen. An added benefit is that it provides us with immediate data on how, what for and where the oxygen is being used.
PIIA tells me that the message is from BeeTee – there's to be a meeting at 8:15am. It appears we have 3 new employees and he wants to introduce them to everyone. Sigh. I hate meetings. Hopefully it'll be a short one and I can get back to doing what I do best – creating weapons of all sorts, improving weapons that have already been created, and tactical training in the use of all of these weapons. Love it! Hopefully we'll never have to use them, but if we do – I pity the rebel who comes against us!
The shuttle comes to a stop and I stand up and gather my wits about me. I hope the rest of today is not a repeat of this morning. It's gotta get better than this.