Workers, unite!

“Step forward, specimen.” The great human curtain drew itself back, leaving him standing naked, alone in the spotlight's gaze. Electric blue light rippled around the iris of the orb that hung above him.“Name.”
Staring straight ahead, he replied. “4558-762, Ma'am.” The orb twisted and whirred in its socket as it checked for the name in each productivity cell's manifesto. There was no escape. He'd been given up, probably for food. Of course, he'd have done the same. The whirring of the orb ceased. Its red working lights flicked back to blue, and he waited for judgement.
“4558-762, you have been marked for re-education. Leave your workstation immediately and report directly to Staff Training Bay 7.” Metal shutters clattered into place over the iris and the orb was withdrawn. As the lights were flicked on once more, the workers shuffled back into place. 762 followed the instructions of the monitor droids on the catwalks above herding him towards the exit tunnel. It was to their symphony of robotic fuzz that he'd seen many specimens leave for re-education. The few that returned were unrecognisable. Shells, automatons, slaving at their workstations until they collapsed from exhaustion, never to stand up again. If only he'd been given another day, the plan would have been ready. One more day to synthesise the scopolamine, and he'd have had every supervisor at his command – every monitor droid and aerial drone deactivated, every gate sliding open before him; an open path to the outside world. But at least someone will be eating well tonight. 762 quietly stepped inside Staff Training Bay 7.

“4558-762, your productivity cell is now down one employee. This grave violation of company policy will be directly responsible for net weekly profit loss on their manufacturing output. You are holding your fellow employees back, you are holding this company back. We are a team. Due to this loss of efficiency, your fellow employees will now be working double shifts in order for this company to uphold its commitment to its valued customers and shareholders. I'm sure you understand as well as I do how important our image in the customer's mind is. Don't you, 4558-762?”
“Yes, sir.” From his knees, 762 could see his face in ultra-shine of the section head's patent leather shoes. His arms were locked above his head, revolved and resting on their joints, in a rusted pair of cast iron handcuffs. Any movement was excruciating. From the corner of his eye, 762 saw the section manager caressing a large tattooing needle.
“Well you obviously understand the need for us to instil you once more with the values of this company, for the sake of your fellow employees and of course the customer. I'm sure you'll agree it is the only sensible option available to us, in light of your flagrant disregard for company policy and your, quite frankly, disturbing lack of enthusiasm for this company's success.” The section manager ran his fingers along the needle as he scanned for a suitable canvas upon which to work. 762 felt a slight jab as the needle came to rest on the right hand side of his lower back, just below the ribcage. “Obviously you have difficulty remembering our company's core values. Thankfully I am here to re-educate you on the importance of integrity, dialogue, transparency, respect, and above all responsibility. Pay attention, Specimen 4558-762, for I will not repeat myself.” The needle clicked into life, buzzing with menace and spluttering a deep red ink on the section head's shoes. “Integrity is the foundation for all that we do, here at...”


“...and practice inclusive teamwork, and reward and recognise our people.” The section head reached for his bloodied handkerchief and dabbed the filth from around the final touches to his work. “There. I trust you will remember this lesson, 4558-762.” He slapped the gaunt, lifeless face of the worker and motioned for the supervisor to remove him from the room. Dropping the tattoo needle on his desk, he turned to the window and gazed out at the vast corporate wasteland that stretched out before him. As 762 was unceremoniously dragged from the room, the section head clasped his hands behind his back and sighed with contentment.“Efficiency and progress are indeed ours once more.”