Chapter 8
Dan learned that at the age of 12 all children took a test. To a certain extent the results of these tests dictated what profession a child would enter on their sixteenth birthday. Intelligence was measured rather than any aptitude for a particular career. It was a blunt instrument and was wielded clumsily.
If children scored below a specific mark they would remain within the labour class and were left more or less to their own devices. There was a ministry which oversaw this class and it was their duty to ensure that all the industries had enough workers. At least this gave people an element of choice about what they would spend the rest of their lives doing.
Phyllis' daughter Alice was bright, but not bright enough to claw her way out of the labour class. She had, however found employment as a nursery school assistant which was much better than farm or factory work. Her older son Edward had always loved animals and had been quite happy to work on a farm looking after the livestock. The fate of her younger son Bertie was not so clear.
"I knew that Bertie was of, higher than average intelligence. He loved school and had been interested in everything around him. On many occasions I had found him with some piece of machinery or an appliance which he had taken apart in an effort to learn how it worked.
Even as a child he had found the concept of the leadership class within the towns and the labour class outside troubling. He had asked lots of questions and was unhappy with lots of the answers. We all whispered about the disparity in our lives, but life is dangerous for those that openly agitate.
When Bertie took his test, he achieved a high score. Passing the exam was most definitely a, double edged sword. He would get out of the labour zone, but he would also leave his family to continue his education at a better school. I'd lose Bertie into the system with only brief visits during the summer months.
If Bertie worked hard and was of value to the OWG, his success could impact on us all. A, well paid job with one of the ministries could see me and my husband moved into a home within the leadership zone. That's why people put their kids forward for the test. The chance to change their lives for the better."
Girls were tested too, but the standards for them were different. The pass mark was higher so only the top 2% were admitted to the special schools. The subjects that they were pushed to study were those that were deemed more appropriate for females. Some professions would never be open to women.
"A girl can study, say, medicine, but they would not be able to become a doctor dealing with the public. The beards, as you call them, wanted to keep up the perception of men being the only ones who were able to do certain jobs. There would never be a female member of the government and all management positions are men only. Capable women are usually shut away in laboratories doing research."
Phyllis had proudly and tearfully waved her son off as he was taken to his new boarding school. For the next four years Bertie had visited each summer. The early years had been full of news about all the things that he was learning. The school gave him access to the best teachers, books and equipment and he was doing very well.
As he grew older, he appreciated the education that he was getting, but had worries about the iniquities of society. He talked at home about the pompous members of the government who thought that they knew best. What gave them the right to say who lived where and who learned what?
"Bertie began asking the questions that you are now posing. He wanted to know why old people were institutionalised and why some people disappeared? There were miscarriages of justice with judges meting out sentences without any form of trial having been heard. Women were oppressed and ignored. He could not believe that there had not been acts of rebellion and that everyone in the world was happy with their lot."
Criticism of the OWG was not allowed. Everyone moaned occasionally and this was tolerated, but when the line was crossed there would be a clampdown. Sometimes a visit from the police was enough to persuade someone to change their attitude. If this did not work then the offender would be removed and would not be seen again.
Dan was disappointed, but not surprised by this revelation. He listened as Phyllis talked about the results of this aspect of the rule of the OWG. She spoke hypothetically, but they both knew that she knew more. She had heard that there were those who met in secret to air these views. A few members of both the leadership class and labour class felt strongly that change was needed. The old men in charge had had their day and now it was time to modernise.
As Phyllis used some sort of vacuum to clean the lounge carpet Dan made them both a cup of tea. Many of his fears had been confirmed in this short conversation. He went upstairs to make the beds and then he would resume his chat with his maid. Already he was wondering what he could do to find out what had happened to Bertie.
Sam and the children arrived home just before lunch and Dan's chat with Phyllis was put on hiatus. He had been sat in an armchair in the lounge reading the paper as they came through the door. His wife would have had a fit if she knew he had helped with the cleaning. The meal was cold ham and salad and everything seemed quite calm for a while.
Dan asked Sam if the children had clothes which they could play in. His wife blinked rapidly in response as she dreaded what he was planning next.
"It's a lovely day. They should be outside in the garden."
Sam didn't mind his suggestion. At least they wouldn't be making a mess in the house.
After a short nap Grace and Alex would play outside whilst Sam attended her meeting. Phyllis would watch the children and Mr Ellis would be able to relax without too much noise in the lounge. This was the story and Sam went off feeling a bit better about her life. Once she had gone and the kids were playing, Dan and Phyllis had a chance to resume their chat.
Poor Phyllis had cleared up after lunch and was now sweeping the carpet and cleaning in the dining room.
"You do this every day?" Dan asked.
"Yes. Mrs Ellis checks everything to make sure that it is done properly."
"Do we like each other. I mean Sam and me." That was not a question that Phyllis had been expecting.
"You get along and you both love the children." Dan stared at Phyllis waiting for more. "I don't see much warmth between you, but that is dictated by convention. You would not be affectionate with your wife in front of a servant. She is a nervous person and I think that sometimes you find that trying."
It was a considered reply, but it did not tell him much. Dan had to concede that the maid would not be privy to the state of his marriage.
"Thanks for being so honest Phyllis. Let's move onto other subjects."
He asked about other people on the margins of society. What happened if one was homosexual?
Phyllis explained that technically it wasn't allowed. Everyone knew however that it occurred and there were even places where people of that persuasion could meet. As long as it was kept low key and did not cause a scandal the authorities turned a blind eye. Homosexual men married women to give the appearance that they conformed, but then lead separate lives from their wives. Women who didn't like men were not acknowledged at all.
Dan plucked up the courage to then ask about something that was very close to his heart. If babies were born with disabilities or major health problems what was their fate?
The look on Phyllis' face betrayed the answer before she spoke. "They are allowed to die."
"Or helped on their way?" Dan enquired and she nodded.
He walked out to the garden to play with his children. They had been watching them through the window as they chatted, but now Dan needed to be with them. He was happy to endlessly throw the ball to them and then collect it when it was returned off target. Alex was not quite coordinated enough to play the game well, but he was enthusiastic and having fun.
Phyllis had talked openly with her employer and he had been receptive to what she had said. He was shocked at some things and resigned to others. This would not be the end of their conversation she was sure. There would be other things that Mr Ellis would want to know as the weeks and months passed.