Greenville

Greenville1

11/9/052

Greenville, North Dakota: A town of five hundred people and two thousand cows.3

It was posted in entirety in Greenville’s newspaper, front page. A woman had been found dead in her apartment, Saturday morning. It was linked not only to a mysterious cause, but a murder. The name wasn’t mentioned, but everybody knew who it was. Sarah Triekler, an unmarried innocent college student- who had ventured to Greenville, purely to attend the technical college there. Everyone around her, adored the beautiful red headed, green-eyed college student. Questions plagued the members of the small town, who would have done such a thing to such a beautiful girl? Then, Monday morning, another event happened. Chelsea Miller and Pamela Goldsmith were engaged in friendly gossip in4

the girl’s bathroom at the school, when Pamela Goldsmith mentioned the topic of Sarah. 5

“So, what do you think happened to Sarah, I mean, come on, who could have done such a thing?”6

“Yeah, everybody...loved her. I don’t know why we have to keep talking about it though,” She said as she redid her lipstick, gazing at the mirror. “I mean, all I have heard since the entire event happened- is Sarah, SARAH, Sarah...”7

“Well, excuse me, but you’re acting like it’s not a big thing- Sarah, this girl, was killed, and you don’t expect us to talk about it?”8

“Well, its not like she was your best friend or anything, I mean, she never even talked to you, and now you are just dying to know who did it. You worshipped her, just like everybody else did, and now because everybody is crying and questioning everything around them, you feel you have to, it seems like you are more into following trends than anything.”9

“You know I have issues with trend-following, however, this has nothing to do with that, and you know it.”10

“Sure, Pam. Look, I’m going to class. I’ll...uh...see you there.”11

Chelsea left, tossing her long brown hair over her shoulders and sighing. She began to wonder to herself what the deal was with everyone. So, a girl got killed? Didn’t that happen everyday? She just didn’t understand why everyone was so shocked. But then again, it did happen nearby. What if she was next? After all, they both were about the same age. What if the killer had toxic tendencies? Chelsea shuttered as thoughts began to race through her mind as well. Could this be the beginning of mass paranoia? Who could it be?12

Meanwhile, Pam stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. Sometimes Chelsea just didn’t see it. Now that Sarah was gone, Pam hoped that she could help everybody like Sarah did. Sure, Pam felt jealous a lot of the time when Sarah was around. But, now she didn’t need to. Priorities shifted, she could be class Victorian, president, graduate with honors, and help pick everybody up, only to be remembered as the most positive person to hit their class, and help them back up after the enormous fall. Pam zipped her purse, took one last glance in the mirror, and headed to her Composition 101 class. 13

Chelsea glanced up as Pam shut the door behind her. Pamela took a seat beside her, and Chelsea chuckled to herself, because the professor had just made a comment about punctuality.14

“Ms. Goldsmith, do we need to remind to you the purpose of you being here?”15

“Um, no sir.”16

“Do you have a reason as to why you are late?”17

“I think my watch has a different time than yours.”18

“Reset it! Shall I reprimand you for stupidity as well?”19

“Uh, Yes...er...No...sir...” She said as the class broke into a riot of chuckles.20

“Well...After such a disruption, I should say that we should be ready and waiting for our in-class composition assignment. As you all know, we have just had a terrible event happen in our town, Greenville. I want each of you to choose a perspective of someone related to the event, a press member, a police officer, a coroner, family member, the killer, or the victim herself. Use research, emphasis of local color, and anything else you feel will add to your analysis of this event. Very terrible, indeed...I feel that this is something that can guide us to become better writers.” As he finished there was a bustle around the room, and people began to look curious. “One more thing, class;” The room was silent again. “You are not to choose a person that someone has already chosen, and are allowed to ask me any questions you may have regarding this assignment. Are there any questions at the moment?”21

After Professor Malone finally finished talking, everyone broke22

into a flutter of discussion about who was going to be what. It went rather quickly, and there weren’t many fights about who was going to be what. It made Chelsea feel good to know, that she could write from whichever perspective she wanted to, and everyone would be okay with it.23

“Okay, I think I will write from the victim’s point of view, it sounds rather interesting.” 24

“Yes, but it will require a lot of research.”25

“I know, I think I will talk to the police and see what they know right now about the case.”26

Chelsea grabbed her things as class was ending, and headed out the door. As soon as she got out of the classroom, she turned to see Tom glare at her and walk past. Tom Rinard was Sarah Triekler’s boyfriend, and one of her best friends. She was upset when she saw him give her such a dirty look, and so turned around and pulled him by the arm and turned him around. 27

“Tom, What’s wrong?”28

“Isn’t that kind of an odd question to ask me?”29

“Well, no- that’s not what I meant...did I do something?”30

“No, but you’re the first one to wonder what was going on with me...Look, Chelsea, do you think that the two of us could talk? I mean, after everything that has happened- I really need someone to talk to.”31

“Yeah, okay- Tom if you need to talk, we can whenever you need to. Remember Tom, I’m always here.”32

“Uh...so, what are you doing right now?”33

“Nothing, just got done with Composition 101- that’s my last class for the day.”34

“So, do you think the two of us could talk now?”35

“Yeah- I have plenty of time, I promised my parents I would run to their house for dinner, but other than that-well, I guess I have till about six.”36

“Okay, let’s go.”37

“Do you know where my apartment is?”38

“Yeah, I was there with Emily and...Sarah-“39

“Okay then, I will see you there.”40

“Okay.” 41

Chelsea and Tom left the building and both headed for their cars. 42

Chelsea got inside of her car, closed the door, and without taking a second look behind her, drove to her place. When she got there, she was surprised to see that Tom was already parked, awaiting her arrival.  Hmm, she thought, we must’ve chosen different routes. Tom got out of his car, and smiled. His shaggy brown hair swayed in the wind reflecting the sunlight. His long black coat shifted as he walked forward up to where she was standing.43

“Glad to see you made it home.”44

“Yeah...I was just thinking it was weird that you got here before I did.”45

“Yeah well...I happen to be great at teleporting.” He said grinning.46

The two walked to her apartment, and Tom watched her grab her keys out of her purse to unlock the door. Once the door was unlocked, Chelsea opened a cupboard and grabbed a bag of chips, and a couple cans of soda, and walked over to the couch and sat down. 47

“Okay, Tom-Let’s talk.” She said as she motioned for him to come over. 48

“Okay...You have no idea how long I have been waiting for someone to calm down and just listen to me- I mean, I realize this is the first time we’ve talked since the...uh...incident, but-Oh- I’m just glad that it’s you that I am talking to.”49

“Uh...Thanks?”50

“Yeah so...I don’t really know how to start this” He said as his pacing body moved in nervousness. “I was called to the police station to identify Sarah’s body”51

“That must’ve been hard, what were you thinking-what did you do- how did you respond? Oh my gosh, I am completely sorry. It must’ve been so hard for you.”52

Tom silently chuckled. “Hard?” He laughed again. “No, not hard. I was seriously...strangely...ecstatically happy.”53

“Happy? You cannot be serious.”54

“Well, I am. You have no idea how happy...that girl, that terrible...horrible girl, I hate her! You have no idea...and to see her lying right there, dead, that was the greatest experience of my life.”55

“No.” Chelsea said as she stood up.56

“Yes.”57

“But, Tom- you two, you were so perfect for each other, everybody loves her- and you.”58

“Yes, everybody except for you.”59

“Excuse me?”60

“Yes, you didn’t like me.  You didn’t want me to feel bad, and so you set me up with Sarah, don’t think that I don’t know the way your cute little mind works. You thought that Sarah needed a date, or needed to meet someone, or something, and so you picked her- and instead of going on a date with me, you sent Sarah, and told her that I wanted to be with her.”61

“But I thought-“62

“You thought wrong, I wanted to be with you the entire time, and the only reason I have been going through this Hell, is because I thought that you wanted, and then I find out that you’ve been thinking about this Ethan guy, and I have never been in the picture, come on, do you honestly even think about me- outside of when we talk?”63

“A little, I mean, of course I do.”64

“Yeah, well anyways, Sarah’s gone- we don’t have to deal with this- Ethan...and I am all alone here, to tell you my problems.  Well, to tell you the truth- I’ve already told you my problems, and I will give you a little bit of insight into my mind as well. If I can’t have you, no one will have you, and I will make sure of it.” 65

“You...will make sure of it? When have I ever told you that I didn’t want to be with you?”66

“Well...It wasn’t that you never told me THAT. You acted like I didn’t have feeling, that I was...well...always merely a friend...you never showed you cared, and don’t tell me that now you do...it would be completely...worthless.”67

“I do care about you. I always have, I mean, I’ve stuck here until the end, it’s not like anyone else asked you how you were...I mean, in all decency, I just wanted what was best for you. But, to tell you the truth...I have always really wanted to be with you.”68

“Yeah, sure...then why did you ask Sarah to...well, date me?”69

“Well obviously, when a friend tells you that she is interested in a certain man- you give that guy up. You can’t just be with him...It wouldn’t be right, it would violate whatever friend or acquaintance...girly ethics we had.”70

“So, you’re telling me that you really enjoy being with me.”71

“Yeah.”72

“That you never wanted anything else?”73

“No.”74

“And all this time! Gah...the things I went through...Do you have any idea the things I went through? I destroyed someone’s life, I was going to kill you...and then Sarah...”75

“That is a little above and beyond...but for some reason I enjoy your sick and demented side.”76

“You are completely and totally... manic, and I have no idea why you are even here. Gah....I’m acting like a complete and total basket case, all for a girl. What is wrong with me? And now you know, you know all the reasons I did this...And I am finally starting to see...this has all been a game for your sick and twisted pleasure.”77

Chelsea laughed silently. It was a game...a very good game. It was beginning to be a rather fun game, too. Then this-little guy had to ruin it. A shame. Maybe she could persuade him to relax, and take part in the game for a little while longer. After all, she did want the town to take part in it. It was a rather small town, for such a psychology experiment, though.78

“I don’t know what you are talking about, Tom.” Chelsea said, as she took her coat off, revealing her soft white sweater. She had done the research, it was obvious that Tom had a thing for white. 79

“Oh come on...You know what I’m talking about. You’ve been there since the beginning, you know what is going on! Come on, honestly...”80

“Seriously, Tom- I have no idea what you are talking about, but if you are going to keep creeping me out like this, maybe I should call the police.”81

The chains on Tom’s black pants jingled as he walked over to her,82

and stared straight into her eyes.83

“Seriously, Tom- You’re freaking me out- you tell me you killed her...you tell me you wanted to kill me, and now...” Tom kissed her before she could finish her sentence. “And now- this stuff...”84

“Yeah, Chelsea- This stuff.”85

“Yeah...”86

Meanwhile, at a nearby video cooperation, men sat around a large glass table watching a television screen. A man, dressed in a black suit and blue and grey striped tie, adjusted his white collared shirt, and stood up.87

“So, are you enjoying this?”88

An older man, dressed like every other one of his colleagues spoke up.89

“Yes, Mr. Green, but is this going to sell? Is this going to bring up ratings?”90

“This, men, is real life. It isn’t some hoax, or some twisted reality show. The woman in this show, this Chelsea- She is practically real. You see, for the past several months researchers somehow gained company funding for robots. AI, Artificial Intelligence- They think like real people. Do you have any idea what this invention means? It means we don’t have to pay actors, it means that they will learn to act on impulse, and it means that all we have to do is shut the power off at the end of the day, and we don’t hear any complaining about unfit conditions. And, if we don’t like something they do, we can just reprogram them and force them to do what we want them to do- instead of adding hidden lines to the contract. This, men, is brilliant- and completely and totally perfect.”91

“But will the public know that these...these-beings aren’t real? Do we tell them what we have created here, or do we keep it classified?”92

“George, we must keep it classified. In doing so, we will maximize our profit.”93

“You’re sure that there won’t be problems with this? We will be able to control these things?”94

“Of course, and it won’t be a problem...like I said, we can just shut them off, see.”95

Their vision turns to the large screen, again. The CEO pressed a96

button, and immediately all of the people shut down. They stood in place, their arms and heads hung, and the only sound in the air was the breath of the executives.97

Meanwhile, at the studio:98

The A.I. slowly begin to wake up after the screen is turned off. It becomes evident that something had gone terribly wrong when electricity is seen jolting from a nearby power line. 99

“Why is it suddenly so dark in here, Tom?”100

“I don’t know, I think there must’ve been a power surge or something…”101

“Whatever, anyway…what’s that…Tom???”102

“I don’t know…what’re you talking about?”103

“That noise…”104

“I don’t know, I think we should get out of here-this is getting creepy even for me. “105

“Which says a lot”106

“Yeah, I agree…”107

They walk to the door  hurriedly, Chelsea has enough time to grab her coat again, and takes a second look behind her, mischievously staring at the audience. Chelsea closes the door behind her and stares silently into the abyss behind her.108