Chapter 8#        That night, Bluren unpacked her things and laid them carefully into the armoire. She changed into a pair of the silky pajamas that came inside, and not knowing what to do next, sat on the bed thinking about all the fortuitous events that had happened lately.    To think that her top priorities had been to become Emi's best employee, earn enough money to keep her house, and to finish Bethany's project. Of course, the ladder was still important, but her life had changed so much in the past few days, her list consisted of many more things. For instance, being prepared for the exciting day ahead. In the morning she would have to be out of the dorm, which is what 700 called the girls housing place, by seven o'clock and meet her by the elevator at seven fifteen. 700 would introduce Bluren to more people, and show her where she would begin her invention work.    The clock on the wall told nine thirty, so Bluren said her prayers and pulled the cloud-like comforter up to her chin. The room was dark. Bluren could hear dogs barking below the street. Although she didn't have to worry about those dogs breaking into her house anymore, or about the cold, or the struggle to keep a good spot in the bakery, Bluren felt hollow and lonely. It was like the first night she spent all alone in the house after Bethany had gone. It was a deep loneliness, almost a fear, but more of a sadness. She closed her eyes a shut out the world, stubborn to stay that way until she fell asleep.______________________________________________________________________        Bluren's alarm went off at six fifteen. She had also discovered her spacious bathroom last night, which had the same oak wood cabinets, stocked with supplies, a bathtub/shower, toilet, and a mirror covering an entire wall of the room. She had stood in front of that mirror for several minutes, staring at the girl reflected. She had only am old green-tinged hand mirror at home, and couldn't remember the last time she had seen herself in a full length mirror. She was small, but strong. You could see that in her shoulders. Her hair was a honey color that almost matched her tanned skin. It was tied in loose bun at the back of her head, with strands falling out. She wore a light blue shirt, with faded jeans and a stained white apron still tied on. Her expression was serious but curious, paired with large eyes that couldn't decide if they were hazel or blue.    After showering, and brushing her teeth, and praying again. She changed out of her old clothes, and into one of the white dresses in the closet. The white dress was full, fell just past her knees, and fit perfectly. She slipped into the leather work boots, which were snug and comfortable. Lastly was the purple silk blazer. Pulling her long hair into its usual knot behind her head, she headed out the door.    700 was waiting by the elevator, clipboard in hand. "You look nice!" She remarked and they stepped inside. Another round of jostling, deposited them at the entrance of another hall, but this hall wasn't as nice as the dorm rooms. It seemed to be made entirely of linoleum and stainless steel, and smelled of the antiseptic used by the nurses in the small sick building at The Beach. There were heavy metal doors with hand print pads on the walls. Different sounds came from the other side of each of the doors. Sawing noises, whirring of machinery, rushing of water, people shouting random numbers, and the clicking of a thousand buttons. Bluren wished to cover her ears, but 700 was trying to speak. "This is the experimentation facility." She shouted over the raucous "This is where you will be working for the next few weeks. I will show you to you office."    As they walked down the hall, the noise only continued. Finally, they reached the door marked 475. "It already knows your print, so you can place your hand on the pad." 700 yelled. Bluren wrenched her hand from her ear, and placed it on the scanner. The door clicked open. "Hurry, inside!" 700 exclaimed, her formality slipping. When they entered and shut the door, all the noise suddenly stopped. As if by magic. The room had white walls with purple linoleum flooring, a gargantuan workbench, a tool box that was taller than Bluren, and a - blue this time - apron, with her name and number finely embroidered on the front. It reminded her of the apron she had at the bakery.    "Alright. You're inventing supplies will be brought to your office in thirty minutes, until then feel free to explore." 700 announced "I hear the masters have left you several goodies hidden around. When your things do arrive, you are to work on them until the breaks." She smiled "If you happen to need anything, I'm only one push of the button away." She pointed to a large glowing white glass button on the wall. With that 700 headed back out into the noisy hallway.                               

                                               Chapter #7

   It was surprising how much dust there was in Bluren's house. She had been packing most of the afternoon, and that meant going through old boxes. As small as her house was, she could still manage to fit at least 25 boxes of things like old projects, assortments when she was little, and things Bethany used to have.

   It was strange to think that she was leaving The Beach, a thing she had never been allowed to do. That when she finished at the Masters headquarters, she had gone straight to the bakery to resign. Emi looked concerned and asked why, but The Masters had given her instructions to tell no one of her recent employment. "Well, we will miss you Bluren." Emi said, smiling "And thank you for your help." Ciri, who didn't have to worry about his former competitor anymore, wished her the best and waved goodbye with the biggests of grins on his face. Bluren really would miss the bakery, the smells of bread early in the morning, Emi's kindness, and the happy faces of the customers buying goods.

   In two short hours, Bluren had her things packed and ready. She had been told that she would be given cloths, cooking things, and other essentials when she moved into her new quarters. It puzzled her as to why she needed to move houses, when she could just ride her bike to the Masters headquarters, although she hadn't time to ask. The things she had decided to take were several well-loved books, a small stuffed animal called a Tiger that she had won in a school contest when she was little, her pillows and blankets, and of course Bethany's project.

   After her house was cleaned, Bluren just stood for a moment staring around. This was the home she grew up in. Ever since she could remember she had lived here with Bethany. The swept dirt floor was their pen and paper. Bluren had grown up watching Bethany draw abstruse designs and blueprints with thin twigs. Bluren herself had made pictures in the sandy earth and invented stories to go with them. These years of creativity drastically slowed as soon as Bluren graduated school. She had graduated in 2470, the same year that the weather and sun had died for a whole week at a time. It wasn't just a blink in the sun or a drop in the temperature, at all went out at once, without warning. The little electricity rationed in The Beach was all of a sudden non existent.

   Bluren remembered it as being one of the only times in her life where she had actually seen the masters. There was a meeting called at the gate of the Masters headquarters, and one of the Masters had gotten up on a high balcony and announced to everyone that this problem would be over soon, and not to worry. For a week they all had to carry lanterns wherever they went, causing tiny glowing dots to dot the streets.

   A small rap at her door caused Bluren to snap out of her memories. When she opened it the same little girl with the short dark hair cut and white dress was there waiting to escort her to the Masters Headquarters. Gathering her bags under her arms, she took a last look and followed the girl out the door.

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   In the Masters headquarters, the girl lead Bluren through the entry hall, up the tube, past the of purposeful people, and into an entirely different section of the building. It was a quiet corridor, carpeted with a red floral print, and had homogeneous bronze circular doors running down one side of the wall as far as Bluren could see. The walls were dark wood planks, sanded and lacquered until it's was smooth and glossy. They walked down the hall until finally stopping at a door with the number 475 above the door. Bluren wondered if it was a coincidence that that was her own number.

   "This room is yours" the girl said "You can activate the door with your handprint. All you have to do is place your hand on the pad in the wall." So she did, and when she did so, her palm tingled as the pad scanned her hand. The door spiraled out into the wall and the girl motioned for Bluren to step inside. The room was so much bigger than Bluren had expected. It smelled like the cinnamon buns made at Emi's bakery. She happily inhaled the familiar scent.Plush white carpet, not unlike the one in the hall, a huge round bed with fluffy violet cushions, and an armoire made of the same dark oak. She opened it, and inside were several pairs of white dresses, purple blazers, and shin length leather work boots.

   There was one window on the side of the wall. Bluren pushed back the heavy cream colored curtains, and looked out. The window had a breathtakingly high up view of the whole town. She could see the beach, the school with children pouring out of the doors, the grasslands, and even the bakery by the ally.

   The room was wonderful, and a flood of gratitude filled Bluren's mind. She turned around. "Thank you." She said "This is the best place I've ever lived." The girl smiled. "Only the best for the masters." She said. "I have been assigned to be you guide and helper. If you ever need anything, please tell the operator on you telephone in the bathroom through that door." She curtsied and started to leave "Wait!" Bluren called "If your to help me, what should I call you?"

   "Oh, yes I forgot!" The little girl exclaimed "I am called 700."

    

                                                       Chapter #6

   What? The room erupted with a cheer, and Bluren looked around her, stunned. This wasn't right. How on earth did the masters know about her. The eyes of everyone in the room were turned her way, and everyone was clapping. Numbly Bluren pulled herself up, feeling awkward and out of place. The walk down the rows of seats was one of the longest (or so it felt) she had ever done. As she climbed the steps to the top of the stage, her mind zoned out, the She was still aware of her surroundings, but everything looked and sounded faint and fuzzy.

   There was a cushy white armchair next to the boy in the white suit. He was smiling at her and motioning to sit, so she did. The boy started talking, but Bluren was too busy contemplating what he had just announced. They had all gathered here for her. To give her a seat with the Masters. They wanted her to become a Master. That couldn't be right, she was no one, she didn't even work for them in the first place! How did they know what she did? Her stomach fluttered as she remember what the boy had called her: Talented. A master had just summoned her to a huge meeting, called her talented, and offered her a Masters position.

   Someone was shaking her arm. Bluren snapped out of her fuzzy dream world and looked up. The boy was still there, smiling at her. It seemed as if he was always beaming. "Are you alright?" He asked. "Oh-yes-and I'm sorry. A little caught off guard I suppose." She managed a small smile. "We completely understand, Bluren." He said, stretching her name so it sounded as if each letters sound was its own syllable. "This must be very sudden for you. We apologize for any inconvenience, but we are sure you will find your summoning worth it." Bluren looked out to the crowd, which was murmuring and clapping in agreement.

   "Well, we might as well get down to the point" the boy stated. "The Masters have called you here today to offer you your own Masters position. Do you accept?" Bluren could feel everyone watching her every move. If she was a master, her life would surely be different than it was now, but would it be better? Was declining the offer even an option? If she accepted, maybe she would find exclusive information that would help her find Bethany or make life better for the people of the "Green Dome". The whole dome thing was very new and confusing. "I do." Bluren replied as confidently as she could, sounding a lot better then she felt. "And it's an honor to begin working with you." She addressed the audience. "Very good!" The boy said, and everyone clapped. "You will be shown your new home this evening. Until then," He said, getting up. "I suggest you pack, and tell the bakery you won't be coming into work tomorrow."