Wonder Child: Introduction

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Date: January 1, 2015

Location: *Classified*

Program: The Wonder Child Project

Project: RRR (Phase 1)

Briefing

Greetings Citizen. You have been randomly selected to participate in the Wonder Child Project. The government has noted your unmarried status and desire for children. We are here to remedy both.

We have paired you with a fellow citizen of similar age that we have determined to have complementary personality and genetic qualities optimal for child rearing.

You will be given a $22,000 stipend and the choice of lot to purchase. There you will take up residence as a normal person. You will take jobs in the area of your choosing, and otherwise blend in with the neighborhood.

As part of this program you must reproduce at least once with your selected mate. The first child born of the coupling will be the ultimate focus of this project. The “Wonder Child”.

Once this child is born, you are to devote your entire lives to raising them as successfully as possible. Leave no advantage ungranted, no assistance unrendered. Your undivided attention must be given to this child. Any efforts to improve yourselves or any subsequent children are to be for the indirect betterment of your Wonder Child.

This is a competition. There are hundreds of other couples doing the same as you. Show us your child rearing skills, make the best child that one can make, and you will be rewarded handsomely.

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Date: March 1, 2015

Program: The Wonder Child Project
Project: RRR (Phase 1)
Entry Number: 7B
Report made by: Ms. Kira Bird, Department of Assignment

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Citizens numbers I2034 and A9653 (together known as Project #W4834) have given me more trouble than I typically receive. Despite getting off on the wrong foot, we are now in full swing and ready to move into their quarters. Following is a summary of our last visit.

Amelia fought me from the start, telling me that she was happy as she currently was. I gently reminded her that she signed up for this program. She had some words to share with me.

"I signed up YEARS ago!" she shouted, "I was a teenager in my 'Dystopian Future Coming of Age' novel phase. Everyone goes through that phase! You can't expect-"

"This is for the greater good! What's stopping you? You're a very pretty-"

"RIGHT, is that what the government cares about then, how pretty I am?!"

"Well, the child-"

"OH, THE CHILD! YOU MEAN THE CHILD I'LL BE BIRTHING SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE!"

Perhaps I said the wrong thing. Some women we work with love to hear what I told Amelia.

"Amelia..." Isaac, the male participant, spoke up from his silent place behind her, surprising us all. Issac promised to bring a lot to this project as he was classified as a genius. 

He walked to the other side of me to face her (and hopefully help my case!)

"We've been talking with Ms. Bird for weeks trying to figure out the fine details of this project. We don't really have a choice, do we?"

Amelia took a few deep breaths and hung her head. 

"I know... Sorry. It's just a lot to take in."

Silence hung in the air for a few moments longer than I could stand.

"So...may I continue?" Amelia glared at me but nodded her approval.

"Right! So, instructions! One: Get to know each other."

"Two: Get to REALLY know each other..." I winked for good measure; Amelia's nostrils flared.

"And three: Tada! Baby! It couldn't be more simple!"

Amelia rolled her eyes and Issac looked a little uncomfortable. If I'm being truthful, I know this isn't the best program for everyone. I did question why they both signed up when I looked at their applications. Part of my job is to help them get situated and break the ice.

I turned around and quickly mounted the steps of the house, turning around and grinning.

"Let me show you inside. I think you'll really like the style!"

I said that with a lot of enthusiasm but the front entrance actually left much to be desired. I felt a little bad about this but I knew that it wouldn't take long for them to fill the space with their own personal touches. 

The upright piano was requested by Isaac; he said he used to play as a child and had since forgotten. 

I led them into the next room, a bright white kitchen with a huge island. The kitchen was Amelia's request. Cooking was her passion and she was adamant that she have nice things to work with.

I invited them to sit at the island so we could finish up the fine details of the arrangement. As I spoke, Amelia continued to stare around her in delight at her new kitchen. I could tell she was warming to the idea.

"I'm really excited about this place! It's pretty nice, don't you think?" 

As Amelia gushed about the kitchen, I knew that it wouldn't take long for them to become friends. I didn't get this job by luck, you know!

By late afternoon, I had gotten everything signed and squared away and announced it was time that I leave. I encouraged them to keep me updated on how things were progressing and that I would pop in from time to time to do follow up interviews.

As I walked down the sidewalk, I overheard Amelia whisper that she was glad to finally be rid of me so they could talk, just the two of them. 

Some day she'll thank me for getting the two of them together, she just doesn't know it yet.

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Chapter 2 coming soon!