You would assume your job is not too different from most jobs in this country. You sit around all day and wait for your 8 hours to end. You are not supposed to read during it, but as controls are rare and lax, you do so anyway.

It is generally said that only the least competent people are transferred to your branch. That is not completely correct. In your opinion, the least motivated people end up here. You don’t share the whole pride of the country, serving your country with your life mentality the rest of the military seems to have. When you became a young parent, you needed the job, and your options were limited. The ringing snaps you out of your thoughts. You pick up the black phone. The one your supervisor calls you on. The number that is in the official register.

The line is dead. The ringing continues. You look around and see that the other phone is ringing. The phone is red funnily enough. You look at it bewildered for a few seconds before you stand up and take your coat. You take the long elevator out of the silo and call your partner. You tell them to take the kids earlier from school and meet you at your favorite ice cream parlor.

Some silo will pick up that call. Here or on the other side of the world. You might have to break a few traffic laws to make it in time to the shop. You sit in your car, turn on your favorite radio station, and start driving