Consensus: Part 1 - Citizen

012

"How would you like to rate these associations?"

"Positive," Rena answered.

"Thank you for your participation," said the voice. The names disappeared from the list, inaccessible for the next twenty-four hours.

Rena stared at the remaining name—Kirti Vasu. The orange text indicated that Kirti had already deleted her friend association to Rena. But there were two sides to every association in the system, and Rena could choose to keep hers if she wanted to continue rating Kirti ... negatively or positively. It was an aspect of the system that encouraged citizens to settle their disputes, and to do so in person.

"Would you like to rate this association?"

"No. Delete Kirti."

"This association has been deleted." The name disappeared. Then the voting history reappeared. "Which topic would you like to review?"

Rena scanned the list and settled on one near the top. "Adoption."

The adoption topic opened to another list of choices—agencies, personnel, pros and cons, and statistics.

"Which topic would you like to review?"

"Agencies," she answered.

Another list appeared—by segment, by specialty, pros and cons, and statistics.

"Which topic would you like to review?"

"By segment."

Twelve entries appeared, one for each of Esh's major sections.

"Which—"

"Segment Eight," Rena instructed.

A list of letters from A to D appeared, one for each of the four adoption agencies in Segment Eight.

"Agency C." It was where she'd lived before Marshall and Clarine found her.

The list updated again to show the choices of facility, personnel, process, and statistics.

"Which topic would you like to review?"

This time Rena hesitated long enough for the voice interface to repeat its question in full. She stared at the list, not feeling particularly interested in any of the choices. This was one of the reasons why she didn't pay much attention to the constant and numerous recommendations to get informed. Teachers always wanted her to have an opinion about things that didn't matter to her.

How can any citizen possibly care about everything?

This was probably why Dr. Kalmus advised her to pick just one topic.

"Would you like more information on one of these topics?" asked the voice.

"No," Rena answered, glancing up at the ceiling. She remembered what it had been like inside the agency after the police had taken her there. Sleeping in a large room with so many other children. "Facility."

The list updated to the topics of interior and exterior.

"Interior."

Within the interior facility topics were the choices of design and furnishings, electrical, heating and cooling, lighting, and plumbing.

Rena took a deep breath and let it out through pursed lips.

This is monotonous! Why do there have to be so many choices?

"Which topic would you like to review?"

"Design and furnishings," she answered. Then she made the next two selections quickly, before the voice had a chance to say anything. "Statistics. Rating."