We are ready to welcome you, he said as the cameras zoomed in for a close up. Together we will help you become a citizen of Omega Tower, to live once again with freedom, to play your part in rebuilding our world so that all, and each, and every one of you will once again live as free men and women!
Daley Cartwell flung a triumphant hand in the air which initiated rapturous applause from the crowd. The cameras panned across the rows of spectators who were nodding and celebrating the arrival of a stranger as if their own freedoms would somehow be that much sweeter by welcoming a new resident into Omega Tower. Zack could see the important faces sitting high up above the crowds. The camera zoomed in for a close up of President Grayson dressed in his official uniform, issued by The Republic. He was a president for which nobody Zack knew had voted. He nodded his head as if to confirm the value of this moment, the months and years of work that had gone into opening this one place in Omega. It seemed that in Omega they too might be watching the large screens, because when the president’s face came into view the cheering intensified in Omega Tower. A few people in Delta also applauded. A couple cheered. Leonard reached over and squeezed Zack’s arm and they both felt the tension. A woman close to the largest television jumped up from the crowd and threw a chunk of unleavened bread at the screen. The Guardians inched in but another two Delta residents wrestled her down into the crowd. People tutted at the inconvenience and the Guardians were kept back. Outbursts would not be tolerated tonight. Not by anybody.
Daley Cartwell was standing at the side of another large screen towards the back of his stage. The stage was lit by concentric rings of lights on the floor as if he was literally walking across the stars. The screen was playing images of Omega citizens walking with a purpose but without a destination. Next they were sitting in libraries reading books as if they had cause to learn. Images of thinking and working and hardship that were nothing more than a pathetic facade of real life. Zack knew this because he knew that every other tower was responsible for providing what they needed. Omega didn’t work for anything. Zack could imagine the next generations of Omega citizens born into a life of privilege. It would be even worse then.
Here in Omega we are rebuilding. Every day is a challenge to reconstruct our society as we once knew it. To build a life again for us all to enjoy. Here in Omega we do not seek exclusivity. We are not working for ourselves. We do not sit here in an ivory tower on our laurels whilst you toil in less than perfect conditions.
Daley Cartwell said this with one eyebrow raised and with his tongue sticking into his cheek as if he was in on the joke of what the other towers thought about Omega residents. As if he was saying, we know what you think about us, but it doesn’t matter. We understand. We forgive you. The camera cut to the crowd and some of them were laughing. We are working, as one, for you, he continued.
More applause. Cheering on Delta level twenty five.
We are here tonight not to celebrate what we have achieved to date. We are here, one and all, to celebrate our ability to welcome another citizen, to open our doors and say that this place is your new home. Tonight we celebrate our opportunity to grow in strength, to accept another member into our arms and build our team so that we can fight even harder to rebuild the world for us all. So let’s not delay, let us begin. Let us begin the search for a new citizen of Omega Tower. Let us grow in strength. Let us build a better future. Your future.
Quiet. So quiet that Zack could hear breathing all around him. Maybe it was just his own.
Daley Cartwell held up a finger, pointed it in the direction of every set of eyes on Delta level twenty five, and Zack imagined, every set of eyes in New Omega outside the ivory tower. He was looking at each and every one of them.
Let us find you.
The numbers on Zack’s wrist felt hot with excitement, so much so that they were pulsating. There were deep breaths coming from left and right as if the whole room had been gripped in a meditative state, broken only as the next set of adverts kicked in. Blood transfusions. Special offer, now only eighty credits. Scabies treatment, fifteen credits, also reduced. They know there will be disappointments. People had to fall back into reality but Omega knew how to cushion the blow.
Can you tell us what this lottery meant to you? Daley Cartwell was talking again, leaning in close to a healthy looking woman, his forehead almost resting against the side of her temple in sympathy for the horror that he was asking her to recall. In your own words.
Everybody focussed again. The commercials were over.
Yes, Daley. Before, life was very hard in Alpha Tower. Some days there was no food. When my number was drawn out, I knew I was being given an opportunity to help my people, to help them grow, and to provide for their future. I have worked to help improve the food supplies for all towers. My Tower is still my responsibility.
Controlled applause in Omega. Silence in Delta, save the occasional late comer still shuffling into the room at the back. A few people were confused, trying to remember if the food had ever been worse. More music. Most of the Omega crowd looked on with smug half smiles. Zack saw one of them wipe away a tear. The camera paid her particular attention.
And you, fellow citizen. Daley Cartwell worked his way along the five previous winners on the stage. A man, big and strong, healthy looking in a way that didn’t seem normal to Zack anymore. Can you tell us what being selected means to you?
“I wish they would just get on and announce it,” Leonard said as he stuffed the last chunk of bread into his mouth. “I can’t take this much longer.” He scratched at his armpits, and Zack inched away.
Yes, Daley. Gamma isn’t able to produce much for themselves that benefits the residents directly, and we were a small tower with little space for comfort. There was almost no privacy. This made rationing a complicated matter. Because of Omega I have been able to play my part in resolving this issue. My Tower is still my responsibility.
Zack noticed that both of the previous winners had excellent teeth. They smiled from atop a special platform which seemed to house all five previous winners. Each of them was smiling, except for when one of them spoke. When they spoke it was always about the difficulty of their old life in their old tower. Nobody in Delta knew what having a winner felt like. Would it really mean improved conditions for the rest of the tower?
“I’d improve the clothes,” said Zack. “It gets so cold in here because it’s huge, and nobody has enough to wear. Nothing fancy, I don’t mean for us all to look like Omega.”
“I’d give everybody scabies treatment,” said Leonard, still scratching. “And there is no point looking at me like that, or moving further away. If I’ve got it, you’ve got it too.”
Next they showed the room. All white. It was large in comparison to anything in Delta, white, clean walls with not a mark on them, and a whole wall of windows. Zack saw the new sky programme playing. It was a clear night sky, full of stars. They twinkled like sun drenched diamonds refracting light in a million directions. Zack allowed himself a wish, even though he knew they weren’t real. The bed was a large single, wider than his. The mattress looked plump and there was a bag of linen at the end of the bed.
This is where our winner will sleep, but not before spending time in our state of the art health facility, where he or she will receive a full medical and dental appraisal, all with the full compliments of our great president.