Page 16 of The Commons

Nature

Commons Grading Scale:

A – Average

B – Better Than Average

C – Common Distinction

I guess a C is the highest score, interesting…

“You may have heard that there are six zones in The Commons. This class will offer you the opportunity to be placed in one of six career pathways. In The Commons, there are 70,000 acres of school property. Each zone of study spans about ten thousand acres of land. You are currently in the Cognitive Zone and this course is obviously your COGN 1000. I am the Patron responsible for all of you, so I will be monitoring all your results and leading some of your tests. On the packet handed to you, on page one, you will note that your major of study at The Commons is dependent upon how well you do in the tests. It also describes our grading scale.”

My gaze scans the paper, writing down every word Pesh says as he continues.

“Also, with each zone of study, you will hone a Common Power. It’s not magic, it’s Common Powers, something you can learn through Common Laws. The first rule of Common Powers is—it doesn’t exist, until it does. But most of you don’t care about that, plus, it will not be mentioned again until your senior year. Now, to what you all care about…”

I look down on my paper to see the career path described after each category.

Cognitive path – secret career field.

Oratory path – president, monarch, CEO, politician, linguist, public speaker etc…

Math and Science path – physicist, microbiologist, astronomer, engineer, doctor, scientist etc…

Meaning and Memory path – semiotician, psychoanalyst, mnemonist, researcher, theologian, philosopher etc…

Observation path – inspector, secret agent, detective, analyst, spy, private investigator etc…

Nature path – astrologist, explorer, geologist, special forces, alpinist, sailor etc…

“You will notice that it is pretty straightforward, however there is no path outlined on the paper to becoming like me, which I’m sure you are all dying to know. There is, however, a path outlined to becoming a Sachi or Lerod. Sachis are selected by teachers, so impress Madam Dey. Lerods are selected by Patrons, so impress me. Patrons are selected by the invisible powers that be, so impress God.”

Everyone chuckles, except me. I simply listen, trying to read him.

“Stop laughing.”

Everyone gulps at his serious tone.

He eyes us, continuing, his voice again casual. “But here’s the secret—if you impress me on the Cognitive Test, I may eventually recommend you to be a Patron to the Powers that Be. There is a 0.1 percent rate of you passing the Cognitive Test with an impressive enough grade. It is a higher percentage than your chances of getting into this institution. So, it’s definitely doable.”

Is he being sarcastic?

“Here at The Commons, you must fight for your title. No one will hand it to you for free.”

He hands out the test paper to the last student, and leaves. The door locks automatically behind him.

I look up, my mind overwhelmed by what just happened.

“You are all going to be evaluated for the Cognitive Test, one after the other, according to the call time on the second page of the sheets that were handed to you,” Madam Dey says. Her voice quakes in anxiousness, but she shouts at us to maintain dominance.

I look at my paper. My evaluator for the Cognitive Test is Pesh… this is just great! Zia’s is Madam Dey.

I heard this evaluation is notorious for exposing the secrets in the best of us. I must be careful how I speak, how I react, even how I blink. I should be scared, like Zia, who begins to shake nervously. But I am not particularly scared of the test. I am tremendously terrified of something else… knowing that Pesh is my evaluator. But on the test, I’m more relaxed there. And I am not sure why. Is it confidence in myself to pass the Cognitive Test? I’m not sure. I wonder how Levon did, and I can’t help but think if it relates to how she went missing…

I waited for Levon to call me. My palms sweated in anticipation as I fidgeted with my new, golden-speckled blanket in excitement, legs crossed, conversation ready, in my dimly lit room illuminated by 19 candles on top of Levon’s red velvet cake. I was a little scared that I could have done too much. I had a billion thoughts running through my mind… Happy birthday, Levon. I love you, Levon. I can’t wait to see you…

I wait. And wait. She doesn’t call!