Short Story – Parental Guidance

PARENTAL GUIDANCE

“We’re glad that you’ve come to us with these concerns, Mr. Henderson.” Principal Price had her arms crossed, her face tilted to the side, her demeanour… anything but the welcoming attitude that her words implied. It was late. It wasn’t a parent-teacher evening. It wasn’t even a child that she had direct jurisdiction over, and yet, here she was. Arbiter for a situation that had called her back from a long weekend getaway to one of the digications that she had heard so much about but had yet to experience for herself.

Across from her was Mr. Henderson, an Old World type, hell, he still had glasses of all things ridiculous and outdated! His moustache was curled at the corners. He practically screamed ‘Guppie’ — and that was all she needed to know about that, really. His daughter, Louisa, was in the corner of the room, head down, staring into her uplink. She was probably online and interacting with her friends, or watching streams, or, well, anything else that could block out the awkwardness of what was going on in the room around her.

The Superintendent was here in digit, her cold face projected on the holosphere on the table between them. She was mostly algorithm these days. A compilation of the most successful minds the school board had employed over its two-hundred-plus years in operation. Her face was the epitome of sternness. Her blue-green eyes burned with impatience. She was who Principal Price wanted to merge with when she completed her organic tenure. But that was neither here nor there.

“We want you to know that we take these sort of manners very seriously.” Principal Price went onto the standard spiel. She was disinterested in giving this person any more of her mental powers. “We have had an inquiry into the events and the information that you have brought to us and have come to a conclusion that we feel will benefit both parties and reward satisfaction with appropriate actions moving forward.”

Mr. Henderson smiled.

“Well. This is a proud change of pace for your institution, I’m sure. I can’t wait to read all about it when the monthly newsletter is printed.” There were so many words that he used here that made her cringe. It was people like him that were causing a staleness in the youth of today. People holding onto tradition and ceremony. People that were simply ill-prepared and unwilling to adopt and adapt. There were other places he could have lived. Places that would have never caused these manners of complications — or headaches — for respectable individuals like the Superintendent — like his daughter — and like Principal Price herself. What did it matter, though? The information was all out in the open and now there was a resolve that would fit society’s parameters. Boy, did it mean there was going to be digiwork to get onto afterward — but, once more, it was for the best.

Mostly.

“All I need from you is consent to move forward with the final stage of our investigation — which, really, only means that we want you to confirm that you have submitted the complaint. This will then have it archived and used as a precedent should…” She cleared her throat, “any other issues similar to this one be brought forward.”

His smile grew two sizes.

“I, Richard Henderson, confirm that I provided the details related to my displeasure that my daughter was being educated under a technocratic pretense. I do not want her to feel that she cannot rely on her natural gifts and her biology in a world that is, itself, biologically-oriented. I want her to understand that technology is a choice. Not an obligation. I only ask that she be given the same consideration that is her right.” He turned to Louisa and nodded at her empty, distant gaze. A triumphant sense of entitlement flowing from his every movement.

“Thank you for that… summary… of your submission, Mr. Henderson. Thank you for your confirmation, too.” Principal Price’s pupils shrank and grew as information fluttered through her uplink. “Details confirmed.”

“Now, what will you do to ensure –” He hadn’t even finished speaking when the door behind him swung open and in walked a man and a woman clad in blue and grey.

“What’s the meaning of this?” He clambered as they grabbed him and started to pull him from his spot. Not saying a word. None of them did. He screamed, of course, and tried to free himself. His daughter stayed silent as he vanished from the room. It was only then that she returned to the now-present.

Principal Price smiled towards her.

“We’re going to find you a nice new father, Louisa. One who will give you the type of upbringing that will best prepare you for society. For now, why don’t you take a nice relaxing trip, hmmm?”

Louisa looked sad for a second — and only that — as she received an invitation on her uplink for a digication to the WallaWalla amusement resort. She’d dreamt of going there for years but her father’s technophobia had made those dreams unrealistic. Now that he was gone — was he gone? Her thoughts found it hard to focus onto him. As if, somehow, the memories themselves were being pulled farther and farther away.

Then, not long after, she felt nothing for him at all.

Principal Price sent the report along the uplink channels to the archive.

It stood on the front of the school district’s digiscape page. An open invitation to anyone who would challenge the education system here again — and a reminder of the consequences that would follow.

She wondered what would happen to Mr. Henderson — but only for a brief flicker — before it was out of her head altogether. Not in the way that Louisa had, though. Hers was apathetic. Hers was recognition that she needed to stay the course. It was, after all, what society wanted from her.