Note: Bold is the computer's writing. Italics is her writing. Bold and Italics is his writing.
Have a nice day.
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“100 Questions”
Rule 1: You must never lie while taking the exam.
Rule 2: Everything must be completely filled out.
Rule 3: You will receive your match within about a week.
Rule 4: All your answers must be your own.
Rule 5: Answer truthfully.
Tapping the pen against the desk, she stared thoughtfully at the paper in front of her. She continued tapping as the android at the front of the room finished reading the five rules for the exam and moved to let in a late student.
Question: How old are you?
18.
She’d seen him around campus, the loner of the entire 50-mile vicinity. Surprisingly, she’d always had the same classes as him. Odd, especially with the several thousands of classes that was the university’s specialty.
Question: Do you think you are too old for this? [Yes or No.]
No.
Especially odd considering the several hundreds of facilities that offered the same classes.
Question: Do you think you are too young for this? [Yes or no.]
No.
She turned her attention back to the task at hand: the menially long and grueling 100-question “compatibility” test. Known as the “Fatal Hundred”, or the “100 Comp”, it was the test taken after or during your college stay.
Question: What do you wish to pursue after finishing your career at this university?
I wish to become an accountant.
Designed to match you with your perfect match to create a perfect world where you would have perfect children, with perfect grades and perfect looks, it was quite boring, and, in her opinion, pointless. Based on the copies of books found in libraries long forgotten, she believed in true love—the kind where the couple found each other through pure desire.
Question: Do you think of yourself as a loving individual? [Scale of 1 to 10.]
8.
In his opinion, the Fatal Hundred was unneeded. That’s why he tried to skip out. The sky had been especially beautiful that day, and he wanted to climb the fence and paint. However, like everyday there was a beautiful sun out, the android security guards caught him before he was even halfway up.
Question: Do you consider yourself artistic? [Scale of 1 to 10.]
1.
He’d seen her before, too, but hadn’t ever said anything. Besides, “dating” and “sexual relationships” were illegal. That’s what the Hundred were for. To make sure that no families ever had problems. That’s why they had to be perfect matches.
Question: Have you ever contemplated suicide?
No.
At least that’s what he’d been told. His friends that had already been married off and sent to their home-blocks had managed to smuggle a few notes to him during the course of his stay at the university.
Question: Have you ever tried to run away from your home-block?
Yes.
The most important one of these notes had read, quite simply, Do not use your correct information on the Hundred. My “perfect match” and I are miserable. We don’t have anything in common and are forced to have children together.
Question: Do you get scared easily?
No.
Everything you write on that test must be wrong. Stick a few correct answers in as to not raise suspicion, but DO NOT fill it out entirely accurately.
Question: What type of music do you enjoy?
Rap, R & B, soul, blues, jazz, etc.
So that’s what he was doing. Cheating on the 100 Comp, therefore breaking the two cardinal rules of test taking. 1. Do not cheat; and 2. Do not lie.
Question: What qualities do you respect?
Kind, gentle, loving. Willing to admit they’re wrong. Generous, thoughtful, smart. Willing to apologize.
She suspected something was up. It was probably all those credits from taking Psychology of the Human Brain for seven years until discovering that she wasn’t compatible with the job.
Question: What do you want from this university?
Good education and a semi-decent time.
He keeps fidgeting, she noticed. He can’t possibly be lying on the Hundred. No one’s ever even attempted it.
Question: Have you ever considered being matched with someone of your gender?
Yes.
He’ll get caught for sure.
Question: What do you consider your greatest asset?
I’m very willing to help you with your problems.
But yet the android in the front of the room wasn’t noticing. How odd.
Question: What do you consider your greatest flaw?
I’m very observant and can pick out most mistakes.
How very odd indeed.
Question: What type of music do you enjoy?
Classical, rock, pop, electronica.
He knew she was watching him. She wasn’t very slick about it. Then again, she could never get away with much in class either, even in a class of 200.
Question: Do you believe in God?
Yes.
For all her faults, he still felt something for her, although he did not know her name.
Question: What religion do you practice?
Christianity.
She’d always wondered what it would be like if she had truly been in love. Yes, she had dabbled in love, but that was nothing more than empty kisses and curiosity.
Question: Do you like animals?
Yes.
She wanted to feel something for someone like in the books she would read at the forgotten library wing.
Question: If yes, would you consider having a pet at your home-block?
Yes.
Like something by Nicholas Sparks or Danielle Steele—one of the ones that stirred something in her throat.
Question 99: Have you ever felt “feelings” for someone?
Yes.
He was done, just two questions left. Lying wasn’t as hard as he thought.
Question 99: Have you ever felt “feelings” for someone?
Yes.
Last question now, then she’d be home free.
Question 100: What is their name?
Him.
He couldn’t wait to get out and paint the sunset.
Question 100: What is their name?
Her.
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At last the day arrived—the day in which they would be paired for life.
The android marriage operators were standing by. After each couple was married off, they would move into married housing and live together through the rest of university, then moved to the city until neither of them was of anymore use to society.
She grabbed her paper out of her friend’s hand, and read its contents quickly.
He took his paper from the stack and read the fateful match.
I suppose it’s back to life, then.
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*cuts wrists* BAISEZ-TOI, GAIA! YOU AND YOUR EVIL FORMATTING!
*cough*
