Junior was in Washington D.C., standing in line outside the venue hosting the National Selection.
Each US State had selected up to one hundred candidates of all genders and gathered them in the capital, where only one would be chosen as the representative of the United States of America at the Global Selection.
Junior looked around at the other candidates. They were all young, some clearly younger than him. This of course came as no surprise, since to be eligible for the Global Selection, someone had to be under 18 years of age. Talent and promise had been chosen over experience and wisdom.
EXAMINER
Examinee identification number?
Harshly asked the man sitting behind the desk at the top of the queue. Lost in his thoughts, it took Junior a little while to grasp the question.
JUNIOR
160115.
Said Junior from memory. The examiner didn't look through his list for the number. He just stared at Junior and at the cut on his forehead. It wasn't bleeding anymore, but it wasn't a pretty sight either.
JUNIOR
I fell off the plane...
Said Junior, pointing at his forehead. The examiner narrowed his gaze.
JUNIOR
I mean I fell off the steps getting out of the plane...
Once again the man didn't answer, but kept staring at Junior.
EXAMINER
What is your name?
JUNIOR
My name is John Junior Space.
EXAMINER
Wait here.
He got up from his chair and came back some time later with a man in a dark suit.
EXAMINER
If you could please follow this man...
JUNIOR
Why should I follow him? Is anything wrong with my application?
EXAMINER
Nothing like that... please follow this man, Mr. Space...
Junior reluctantly followed the man in the dark suit inside the venue. They didn't stick with the rest of the crowd, but went along narrower corridors, until the man opened an anonymous door and gestured Junior inside.
JUNIOR
Nice talking to you...
The man didn't reply, but shut the door behind him as he entered the room with Junior.
MISS ROBERTS
Welcome Junior.
The unexpected voice made him jump with surprise.
Entering, Junior hadn't noticed the woman already in the room.
MISS ROBERTS
You can call me Miss Roberts. I'm glad to finally meet you.
She said with a smile, and strode across the room to shake Junior's hand.
JUNIOR
Thank you...
Said Junior, hesitant.
MISS ROBERTS
What happened to your forehead, Junior?
JUNIOR
I slipped... and fell from some steps...
MISS ROBERTS
Let me see...
Miss Roberts came closer to inspect his cut.
MISS ROBERTS
It's not deep... let me give you something...
She walked back across the room and pulled a bandage out of a cabinet.
MISS ROBERTS
You say you tripped and fell.
JUNIOR
That's right...
MISS ROBERTS
I heard you were pushed...
JUNIOR
Why did you ask me, if you already knew what happened?
MISS ROBERTS
Why did you lie?
She handed him the bandage, Junior peeled it and stuck it across the cut.
JUNIOR
Why did you take me aside? I suppose you don't treat everyone this way...
MISS ROBERTS
You are right, we don't. But you are not just anyone, Junior...
JUNIOR
What do you mean?
MISS ROBERTS
You know what I mean...
Why did the other kids pick on you during the flight? Why did they push you down the stairs? They are jealous of you, that's why... jealous of the fact that you are special...
JUNIOR
I'm not special!
MISS ROBERTS
But you are Junior! Konos thinks so, and that's why we need your help...
JUNIOR
You need my help with what? Who do you work for?
MISS ROBERTS
I work for the US of A.
JUNIOR
What does that even mean? Are you military?
MISS ROBERTS
How could I be? Militaries are not allowed to be involved in the selection process, Junior.
She said with a fake smile.
MISS ROBERTS
Let's just say that I need to make sure that whoever is selected can be trusted... after all, the alien named Konos holds incredible tech...
JUNIOR
I get it.
Interrupted Junior.
JUNIOR
I get what you are saying...
MISS ROBERTS
You think so? Let me be clear...
JUNIOR
Yes, I do! And I don't want any part in it! You want to use me, and I won't let you!
Junior stormed out of the room and ran back, unchallenged, into the crowd of people getting ready to take the exam designed to select only a certain someone among them.
In the room Junior had just left, the man in the dark suit finally spoke.
MAN
Now that you've met him, do you still think he's right for the job?
MISS ROBERTS
He's the correct choice alright... we just have to make him cooperate...
