Second Appraisal

Second Entry, May 22nd, 3015NCE.

I just realized I'm quite a slow writer, couldn't finish it yesterday so I'm finishing my story today. Luckily, there's enough time...

Like I told you earlier, that was how my First Appraisal went, three years ago. School definitely became more interesting after that. Those two years were probably the best I ever had: I even had computer classes where I could just play all class long! (something tells me I shouldn't write that here...)

Like the First, the Second Appraisal came randomly during the second semester of the school year (the first semester started in July or August, the second in February). For my grade, it happened last month.

...

Like always, got home from school and left my bag in my room.

"Mom! You here?"

I couldn't find her in the kitchen, so I went to my parents' room. My relationship with them was open and personal, which was pretty good. I never had any familial problems, and being an only child, I could say my childhood was the closest to impeccable as it could be. We aren't too rich though, so I guess there's that.

"Mommm!"

"If I got a penny for every time you said 'mom' I would be rich right now..." She complained jokingly.

My mother was a government auditor, not that I knew what that meant.

"Found you! Can you make me a sandwich?"

My father worked in a race car team as a mechanic. Pretty neat, I know.

"Can you wait for dinner? Your dad should come early today, so we can all eat together."

Although he was the one who got home later, my mother was the real bread winner in my house. As I probably explained earlier, there is no need to work for food and shelter anymore, as those were free, given by the government. But if you wanted any degree of luxury, you had to be useful for society, and that meant working. Of course, there are those who don't work, but they were held in great contempt by everyone so I wouldn't recommend it.

I do wonder why I'm writing such common sense stuff though... anyways.

What that policy meant, was that the good, fruitful and pleasurable jobs were the ones most in demand. And being most in demand sometimes meant lower average salaries, such was the case with my father's job. I say 'sometimes' because that is not always true, as the government establishes floor prices for salaries in specific positions, such as teachers and other vital functions of society. All of that just to explain that the home office job my mom has is substantially lucrative.

As I turned my PScreen on- oh, wait, you don't know what that is, do you? It's like a computer, but I can activate it with a flicker of my wrist. My plan was to watch some videos in the net while I waited for my father, but I was soon full of notifications on my phone.

[Dude, check your inbox! The Second Appraisal is tomorrow!!] ~Jerry

[Leaf] ~Anna

[Leaf] ~Anna

[Leaf] ~Anna

[Did you] ~Anna

[Also get] ~Anna

[This email? (archive)] ~Anna

"Huh? What are they even on?"

When I did as told and opened my emails, I saw one that greatly shocked me. Like they said, the school sent an emergency notification that the appraisal would occur this week, starting tomorrow.

"Moooooom!!" I immediatly yelled.

"Moooooooooooooom!!!"

"What do you want?! I'm working!"

I stood up and ran to her. Panting, I said:

"Mom! Mom! *gasp* The school just sent an email! The Second Appraisal is tomorrow!"

"What? Tomorrow?" 

"Yeah, they said the Institution had to change the schedule for the appraisals and that we were expected there tomorrow."

"That's strange... I don't remember they ever doing that... Your father and I are going on a short trip tomorrow, so I won't be able to pick you up there like I did last time."

"It's fine, I'll take the transport. Oh man, I'm excited as hell!"

She chuckled.

"You should be. I remember to this day when they said I was the only one in the class with an affinity for Medicine and Nursing. You should have seen the looks of envy from everyone! It was priceless!"

"I know, I know. You tell that story all the time. And look where you are right now, meddling with numbers!" I joked.

"Hmpf. I just didn't like it that much, is all. It's great proof that the Appraisal is not all knowing..."

My dad says she dropped because it was too hard, but I know better than to say that out loud.

"Wasn't auditing pretty high up for you as well?"

"Accounting and FP&A, yes. But don't be sad if what you really want isn't there, you still have plenty of time."

"I know, I know, don't worry."

She audibly sighed and mumbled:

"You always know everything, don't you?"

"Hahahah! What can I say? I'm just built like dat!"

...

The journey there was the same as I remembered, but the building left a much greater impression this time, since I could understand its magnitude.

We were all gathered just like last time, before a small stage where a Commissioner would explain how things would work. Once the students quiet down enough, the woman began:

"Welcome back, students. And teachers, of course. We are glad to have you here for your Second Appraisal. Before we start, I should briefly explain how things are going to go upstairs. And yes, you are all going upstairs, this floor is for Middle Schoolers only. Now that you are going for your last three years of compulsory education, we have some more accurate tests for you to do."

Someone raised their hand and asked:

"Is it going to be as fun as the last one?"

"I'd say... not as fun, but still really fun. I think the novelty of it gives the first one more impact. In the Second Appraisal, the goal is to help you make the right choice for your life, so it will involve some more challenging questions as well."

Seeing no one else with questions, she continued.