TWO WEEKS LATER
AMANDA
So... When are they going to announce the National Selection result?
JUNIOR
Today. But I wouldn't worry about it...
AMANDA
You wouldn't worry about it?
JUNIOR
I wouldn't worry about it.
Amanda started laughing out loud.
AMANDA
The National Selection is everything everyone in our house has been worried about for months, and now that we're at the end...
JUNIOR
We're not at the end! There is still the Global Selection!
AMANDA
Konos himself is involved in that step! Do you really think he isn't going to choose you?
JUNIOR
Why is everyone convinced he's going to choose me?!
Amanda ignored him.
AMANDA
Besides, everyone knows that the US and the Soviet candidates are going with Konos no matter what!
JUNIOR
Still, I wouldn't worry about it...
AMANDA
Why do you keep saying that?
Junior lowered his voice. Their mother was out in the garden, basking on a lounge chair in the summer sunlight.
JUNIOR
I flunked the test.
AMANDA
YOU WHAT?!
JUNIOR
Shush!
She lowered her voice too.
AMANDA
What did you do?!
JUNIOR
I intentionally answered every question wrong...
AMANDA
Every single question?
JUNIOR
Well, I might have answered one or two correctly, I'm not sure...
AMANDA
That's not my point! Why would you do something like that?
JUNIOR
I need to know.
AMANDA
Need to know what?
JUNIOR
Hmph. Forget I said anything. It's best if you don't know anyway...
AMANDA
I swear I will smack you, Junior! You are such a tease!
Junior quickly got away from his sister and joined his mother outside.
JUNIOR
How are you feeling?
BEATRIX
Much better sweetie...
A few days earlier, she had fainted and had been taken to the hospital, where she had spent the night. Beatrix had assured him that it was nothing serious, and that the doctors had just recommended rest.
Junior knew this was at least partly because of him, so he made sure to be as thoughtful as he could.
BEATRIX
Are you worried about the National Selection? If I remember correctly, the results are coming out today...
Even though it was causing her nothing but heartbreak, she had never stopped appearing supportive of Junior's decision.
JUNIOR
That's right...
BEATRIX
And? Are you feeling lucky?
Junior didn't answer his mother's question, but sat down on the grass beside her and took her hand. They sat there for a while, without speaking.
JUNIOR
If they choose me, will you be alright?
Beatrix didn't answer right away. She was choosing her words carefully.
BEATRIX
Whatever happens, I want you to know that I love you, and that I'm proud of you.
She looked straight into Junior's eyes.
BEATRIX
I will be alright. You don't have to worry about me.
She smiled, and before Junior could say anything, Amanda called out to them from the house.
AMANDA
The president's on TV! They are announcing the result!
BEATRIX
Do you want to go inside?
Junior smiled broadly, as he said
JUNIOR
I'm fine exactly where I am...
AMANDA
Are you coming or what?
Since they weren't moving, Amanda decided to join the two of them outside.
In the empty living room echoed the voice from the television.
PRESIDENT CLARKSON
First of all, let me congratulate every single candidate involved.
From the National level down to the State level we have seen some amazingly talented young Americans, who, by having competed fairly, have honored their parents and their country.
Unfortunately, most are going to be disappointed, since the aim of this selection was to pick only one of them.
In the end it was an easy decision, since he was the only person to achieve a perfect score in the National Selection in D.C., two weeks ago.
The US candidate to the Global Selection is number 160115, John Junior Space.
