Company Rule

First published in Landfall in the Spring 2024 edition

I turn crank. I do not ask what crank does. Asking what crank does adds one day of crank turning to Predetermined Retirement Date. Additional days of crank turning after Predetermined Retirement Date: 757. This is because father died two years out from retirement. Company Rule number 88: The Children of the Parents who cannot fulfil their Duties to The Company will take on those Duties until paid in Full. With no further extensions I will retire at age seventy- seven.

So. I turn crank.

Just like my father turned crank and his father turned crank but no one talks about the father before his because that was too many crank turns ago.

Beside me, Clung. Clung is pulley winder. We are not supposed to talk but sometimes when Supervisor is at the other end of Work Quadrant, we converse. Clung comes from a long line of pulley winders. His father’s father’s father etc etc etc.

Today, as I turn crank and Clung winds pulley, Clung asks, Why do you turn crank?

Easy, I say. Same reason you wind pulley.

Sometimes Clung is a joker and I think he is joking but he is not.

Clung says, But why do we do this every day?

I say, To repay our Debt to Colossal Glob. You know this.

Clung says, Why do we have Debt to Colossal Glob?

I say, Everyone has Debt to Colossal Glob.

Clung says, I know The Company says we have Debt to Colossal Glob but I do not know why.

I say, Yes, you do. So we can go to The Next Place.

Clung says, But how do we know The Next Place exists? And how do we know

Colossal Glob is real?

I am stunned. Company Rule number 2: Do not question The Company’s link to Colossal Glob. Doing so will lead to Eternity of Damnation.

Supervisor returns to our sector of Work Quadrant so I cannot express my stunnedness.

So. I turn crank. Clung winds pulley.

Tonight in Designated Rest Area (DRA) I rehydrate my daily allocation of Vitamin Concentrate. Packaging states flavour: Beef Steak. I have never tried Beef Steak but if it is like other Vitamin Concentrate then I do not wish to try Beef Steak. Vitamin Concentrate makes inside of gums stick to teeth. But after sixteen hours of Requisite Work Activity, Vitamin Concentrate is not so bad.

While trying to unstick gums from teeth I think about Clung. I also think about Company Rule number 54: All Devotees must report any known Digressions to Supervisor or risk adding one year (365 days) of Work Activity to Predetermined Retirement Date. I think: What if, by not reporting Clung, I add 365 days to my Predetermined Retirement Date? I will then be seventy-eight. And then I think:

Damn you, Clung. And then I think: But Clung is Friend. Clung is Only Friend.

I look at Father’s Sleeping Compartment in DRA: just as he left it. Grey sheet pulled tight around foam mattress. Solitary decoration on wall: Piece of paper found on floor of Work Quadrant that reads ‘Marlboro’. He did not learn what this ‘Marlboro’ was before death. Company Rule number 300: Devotees must not ask Questions about anything other than Work.

And then I think: What would Father do about Clung?

I arrive at Work Quadrant before commencement of Work to report Clung to Supervisor but Clung is already conversing with Supervisor. Clung and Supervisor look as though they are conversing about me.

I go to Work Station.

So. I turn crank.

Clung returns to Work Station. He winds pulley.

After 3.5 hours of Requisite Work Activity, Supervisor makes his way to other end of Work Quadrant.

Clung says, You were at Work Quadrant early today. I have never known you to arrive at Work Quadrant so early. I say, I could not sleep.

Clung says, Why could you not sleep?

I say, Because I was thinking of you breaking Company Rules.

Clung says, Why do we follow Company Rules?

I say, You know why we follow Company Rules. To not add additional years to Predetermined Retirement Date.

Clung says, But why is it important to get to Predetermined Retirement Date?

I say, So we can Retire.

Clung says, Who do you know who has Retired?

I say, We all know those who have retired. Like Blorn, from Maintenance. We all received 2.5 Free Work Minutes to wave him goodbye during the last Financial Quarter. Clung says, Yes, but who do you know from this Work Quadrant to have Retired? I cannot think of anyone from this Work Quadrant who has Retired. I try.
But I cannot.

So. I turn crank. Clung winds pulley.

When I arrive at DRA my Spectrovisual Entertainment Device is sitting on desk. For one hour this evening we can have Allocated Relaxation experiences beyond Work Quadrant and DRA. Excuse me, not can, must. Company Rule number 253: All Devotees are to Engage Positively in any Activity deemed by The Company to be of benefit to the Devotee. Failure to do so will lead to extension of Predetermined Retirement Date by one week (seven days) per Breach.

The Spectrovisual Entertainment Device allows us to see and feel many things from before the Great Intervention of Colossal Glob. For example, we can partake in different types of Gainful Employment. I am partial to setting: Household Chores. But my favourite: Shopping at Supermarket. So much choice!

I rehydrate Vitamin Concentrate. Tonight’s flavour: Spaghetti Bolognese. I do not know what Spaghetti Bolognese tastes like but if it tastes anything like other Vitamin Concentrate then I do not wish to try Spaghetti Bolognese.

After Vitamin Concentrate I pick up the Spectrovisual Entertainment Device. A note falls out. It reads: ‘Turn to setting “Abaddon”.—Clung’

I look around DRA as if to find Clung. I do not find Clung. I also do not see how he entered DRA. I also do not know what ‘Abaddon’ is.
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I think: Why does Clung do this? I think: Clung has broken many more Company Rules by entering DRA. I think: If I do not Report Clung, I will prolong my Predetermined Retirement Date. And I think: Why does Clung want me to see ‘Abaddon’?

I will not let Clung ruin my one hour of Allocated Relaxation.

So. I put on the Spectrovisual Entertainment Device. I switch it to: Shopping at Supermarket.

Near the baked goods I smell fresh bread. It must be what The Next Place smells like. I stand there breathing it in. I walk the aisles of fresh fruit and vegetables. The colours! At Work Sector: Grey. At DRA: Mostly grey, some black. But the fruit and vegetables: All colours imaginable. I want to take a bite of each fruit, each vegetable. But one thing Spectrovisual Entertainment Device does not allow for: Taste.

I make my way to: Meat. My skin tingles from the refrigerator. I look at the meats. Chicken. Pork. Beef. Tenderloin. T-bone. Ribeye. What was it to have food that does not make gums stick to teeth? I touch the cool packaging and wonder: How does meat become meat? I know it was animals but I do not know what happens in between.

I then go to aisle: Breakfast Cereal. At the end of Breakfast Cereal: Clung. I think: How is Clung in my Spectrovisual Projection? This has never happened. I bypass my favourite breakfast foods and confront Clung. Clung does not say anything when I ask: Why are you in my Spectrovisual Projection? Clung looks like Clung but also not like Clung. Clung flickers like he will disappear. Clung’s mouth moves but I cannot hear him. I move my ear close to this mouth. Still nothing. I go closer still and then he is screaming. It is so loud I think I will lose consciousness from the pain. I rip the Spectrovisual Entertainment Device from my head.

On table in front of me in DRA: Clung’s note.

I wait for pain in ears to stop. I put Spectrovisual Entertainment Device back on. I switch it to setting: Abaddon.

Hot needles stabbing at my spine. It feels as if someone’s hands are closing around my neck. I cannot breathe. I think: This is how I die. And then I think: Damn you, Clung. And then I lose consciousness.

I wake up on the floor of DRA. Spectrovisual Entertainment Device nowhere to be seen. It is many hours after commencement of Work. Company Rule number 192: All Devotees to Practise Punctuality in preparation for meeting with Colossal Glob. Failure to Practise Punctuality will lead to extension of Predetermined Retirement Date by one week (seven days) for every hour of Requisite Work Activity missed.

I hurry to Work Quadrant.

At Work Quadrant Clung winds pulley.

I try to catch Clung’s eye but he does not look up.

Supervisor arrives.

Supervisor says, That is twenty-eight days’ extension to Predetermined Retirement Date. Do you accept? If so, sign here.

He hands me clipboard on which is Extension Notice.

I say, But I am only three hours’ late.

Supervisor holds up Personal Metric Odometer, which shows three
seconds into the fourth hour of lateness.

I sign Extension Notice.

So. I turn crank.

Supervisor spends many more hours than usual in this sector of Work
Quadrant. Supervisor leaves just minutes before end of Work Activity. When he does, I say to Clung, Why are you doing this to me?

Clung says, as if unaware, Doing what?

I say, Breaking Company Rules. Tampering with my Spectrovisual Entertainment Device.

Clung says, But I did not tamper with your Spectrovisual Entertainment Device. I say, But what about the note?

Clung says, What note?

And then it is the end of Work Activity so we can no longer converse.

Company Rule number 83: Devotees must not converse with other Devotees coming to or going from Work Quadrant.

So. I return to DRA and rehydrate Vitamin Concentrate. Tonight’s flavour: Chicken Parmigiana. It tastes like Beef Steak and Spaghetti Bolognese. Gums stick harder to teeth than usual.

I arrive at Work Quadrant very early. So early I know Clung will not be there. So early Work Quadrant doors remain locked.

Supervisor arrives to unlock Work Quadrant.

Supervisor says I cannot start early to make up missed hours. Extension Notice has been signed.

I say, I am aware of Company Rule number 27. I am here to talk to you about Clung.

Supervisor says, Who is Clung?

I say, Clung. The pulley winder stationed next to me in Work Quadrant. Supervisor says, Oh, you mean Varden.

I say, Varden?

Supervisor says, Yes, Varden. The wheel spinner stationed next to you in Work
Quadrant.

I say, Oh yes, Varden.

I do not know a Varden.

Supervisor says, And what is it you wish to tell me about Varden?

I say, Varden is an excellent wheel spinner. I have never seen anyone spin wheels with such enthusiasm.

Supervisor says, Is that all?

I nod my head and attend Work Station.

Several minutes later a man I have never seen before arrives at Work Station next to mine. The Work Station where Clung used to wind pulley. The man waits for commencement of Work and starts to spin wheel.

When Supervisor makes his way to the other end of Work Quadrant I converse with the wheel spinner.

I say, What is your name?

He says, You are such a joker, Clung!

I say, Clung? My name is not Clung.

He says, laughing, All right then, today I am Clung and you are Varden. You are
you such a joker.

After a time he stops laughing.

So. I turn crank.

Varden spins wheel.

And then I say, Why do you spin wheel? Varden says, Same reason you turn crank.

I say, But why do we do this every day?

Varden says, To repay our Debt to Colossal Glob.

I say, Why do we have Debt to Colossal Glob?

Varden says, Everyone has Debt to Colossal Glob.

I say, I know The Company says we have Debt to Colossal Glob but I do not know
why.

He says, Yes you do. So we can go to The Next Place.

I say, But how do we know The Next Place exists?

Varden looks at me strangely, opens his mouth as if to say something, but Supervisor returns to our sector of Work Quadrant. So. Varden spins wheel.

I turn crank.

At DRA I do not feel like rehydrating Vitamin Concentrate. I think: Where is Clung? And then I think: Who is Varden? And then I think: Why does Varden think that I am Clung? And then I think: Company Rule number 352: Devotees to The Company must consume all Provisions allocated to them or risk extension to Predetermined Retirement Date.

So. I rehydrate Vitamin Concentrate.

I do not bother checking flavour but I note that, as usual, gums stick to teeth.

I take piece of paper with ‘Marlboro’ on it from wall of father’s Sleeping Compartment. I study ‘Marlboro’. I wonder what it could mean. Is Marlboro connected to Colossal Glob? The Company’s Official Testimony of Colossal Glob does not mention this Marlboro. I think: How did ‘Marlboro’ paper get into Work Quadrant? And then I think: Why do I care? Before Clung said anything about non-existence of Colossal Glob, I was happy turning crank. Now when I turn crank, I think: Why do I turn crank?

I turn ‘Marlboro’ paper over. On the back I find a note. It reads: ‘Dear Varden. If you are reading this then I have left Work Quadrant. Maybe I have gone to The Next Place. Maybe even another place. Remember: Work hard and always spin wheel with dedication. Love, Father.’

At Work Quadrant I deliver ‘Marlboro’ paper with note to Supervisor. I say, Supervisor, somehow this note for Varden made its way into my DRA. Supervisor looks at me. Squints. Tilts his head. Says nothing.

I say, Can you please give this to Varden?

Supervisor says, But you are Varden.

I say, No, I am Clung.

Supervisor says, Clung? Who is Clung? Please stop wasting my time, Varden. Return to your Work Station and commence Requisite Work Activity.

I return to Work Station but I do not find crank. Instead, I find wheel. So. I spin wheel.

Next to me is Varden. Or who I think is Varden.

Varden pumps lever.

When Supervisor leaves our sector of Work Quadrant I ask Varden, What is your name?

He says, You are such a joker, Varden.

I say, But you are Varden.

He laughs and says, Okay, today I am Varden and you can be Dweef. I say, Dweef?

Dweef says, I am Varden. Today, you are Dweef.

After Requisite Work Activity I follow Varden. I mean, I follow Dweef. At DRA Dweef goes inside. I knock at door but there is no answer. I knock several times: Nothing. So. I go inside. I call out Varden’s name and then I remember that he is Dweef. I call out to Dweef. Again there is no answer.

Dweef’s DRA is the same as my DRA. There is even father’s Sleeping Compartment. On the wall: Piece of paper with ‘Marlboro’ on it. I untack ‘Marlboro’ from wall and turn it over. On the back a note reads: ‘Dear Dweef. If you are reading this then I have I left Work Quadrant. Maybe I have gone to The Next Place. Maybe even to another place. Remember: Always ask, Why? Why am I here? Why do pump lever? Why must I repay my Debt to Colossal Glob? These questions will guide you. Love, Father.’

I leave note on table and leave Dweef’s DRA. I walk the corridors but cannot find my own DRA. It is as though I have forgotten its location. I walk and search. I pass several Supervisors who check their Personal Metric Odometers.

I have three minutes to find DRA. Company Rule number 203: All Devotees of The Company must domicile in their Designated Rest Areas from 2100 hours until 0500 hours.

I start to run. I run and I find the corridors somehow become more familiar. Out of breath, I find the door to my DRA. I go inside. On the table is the piece of paper with ‘Marlboro’ on it. I turn it over. It reads: ‘Dear Dweef ...’

I do not go to Work Quadrant for Requisite Work Activity. I stay in DRA, prostrate in Sleeping Compartment. I look at grey ceiling. I think of Clung. Or was it Varden? And then I think of Dweef. What did Dweef say? Today, you are Dweef. But that was yesterday. Today is today. Today, am I still I Dweef? I am in Dweef’s DRA. But who is Dweef?

And then I think of Blorn. I think of him retiring at seventy-five, on Predetermined Retirement Date, no extensions. I think of Blorn waving, smiling, walking through door to The Next Place.

Time passes slowly when not participating in Requisite Work Activity. Turning crank does not make time go fast, but faster than staying in DRA. Or do I spin wheel? Or pump lever? I cannot tell. I calculate the extension to Predetermined Retirement

Date after full day of no Requisite Work Activity. A third of a year of crank turns/wheel spins/lever pumps.

There is a knock at the door.

Outside there is no one. On the ground is a Spectrovisual Entertainment Device. I pick it up and a note falls out. It reads: ‘Turn to setting Standard Work Day.—Dweef.’

So. I put on Spectrovisual Entertainment Device. I switch it to setting: Standard Work Day.

I am at Work Quadrant.

So. I turn crank.

Beside me: Clung. Clung winds pulley. Clung asks, Why do you turn crank?