Faceless Duty

Archer Joseph’s shaking hands could barely lift his tuna sandwich on onion bread. Beads of sweat on his balding head dripped down each of his temples onto the curly grey tufts of hair above his ears and his glasses kept sliding down the bridge of his round nose. He put his quivering lips to the bread and took a bite. The factory breakroom he sat in was a tiny cubicle of a room, far too small to accommodate the twenty-morning shift workers all at once, forcing them to squeeze between one another and occupy seats around three of the tiny tables. Among him were disenchanted co-workers robotically engaging in the afternoon ritual, their conversations centered on food rations and liquidation sales.

Archer glanced at the clock: it was 1:15 PM. His gaze drifted as he chewed on, reflecting in anticipation of who was to arrive later that day: Adina Mariam. The incredibly gorgeous supermodel, deemed to be the new spokesperson for the country’s call to arms, was scheduled to take a tour of the facility to observe the dutiful citizens supporting their servicemen. He'd seen her in advertisements and in the news; always standing out amongst a crowd of other beautiful people. Untouchable, beautiful people so far removed from Archer’s life that any chance encounter for them would have likely been intentional on his part, but thanks to a raging war far overseas, the otherwise unrelated paths of these two humans would intersect in 45 minutes. He smiled at the thought of being in the same vicinity as her.

It was a smile that’d faded just two weeks earlier when a faulty device had somehow managed to slip past his keen eye after his glasses fogged up unexpectedly. Luckily for everyone, a coworker three stations down the line spotted it. She was met with cheers and celebration while he alone was given his first ever write-up. It was a crushing sting to the man who took pride in being in the first line of defense, (albeit from the safety of his own country), who was able to disengage the explosive component of a mock ballistic device faster than anyone on his training team. He was promoted to Lead Inspection Lineman, at the coveted Station 1. This meant being the first in line to spot any critical defects on the assembled devices making their way to the distribution team, making this mistake particularly devastating.

He drove home somberly that night after the verbal lashings from his supervisor repeated themselves many times over in his mind. After taking a shower, Archer prepared his microwaved dinner and sat down in front of his computer. He watched clips of the news when he could stomach it, and on that night, when an interview with Adina Mariam somehow managed to slip its way into his feed, he couldn’t help but watch:

In the interview, the hazel-eyed Adina sat with a straight back and effortlessly held her head to one side as she charmingly spoke to a well-groomed gentleman of an interviewer:

“I’ve been modeling since I was 8. That was my childhood, and I never had a chance to give back. Now that I’m older, I’d like to do my part. So, I’ll be touring local manufacturing plants and factories; hearing the needs of the workers and honestly, just showing my appreciation.”

“What made you decide that this was the project you wanted to take on next?” the interviewer asked.

“Well, my grandfather was a lineman and brother served in the forces. It’s a cause that’s personal and I’m taking part in the family business as some would say.” She said with an effortless laugh.

Her melodic voice sent a wave of comfort over Archer as he scooped up the last few bits of mashed potatoes and peas.

“This is a big step for you,” the interviewer mentioned.

“It is, but I have the utmost respect for our loyal workers, and our armed forces deserve the best technology that can be developed, and for that, they rely on citizens every day.”

“Well congratulations on your new role. We’re truly proud to see you as the gorgeous new face of promoting our country’s defense.”

Archer paused the video on Adina’s glimmering smile and sat transfixed, his supervisor’s words were long gone. While he wasn’t on the physical frontlines, he was on the ground daily, among the thousands of other citizens ensuring that the brave soldiers could defend themselves against the enemy—and Adina Mariam could see that. She could see him.

So, when he learned that she’d be touring his facility, his heart couldn’t contain itself. The humiliation he’d suffered on the inspection line, would be squashed by the plan that he was to set in motion on the day of the tour. She would see him.

He arrived at 9:00 AM on the day of the tour and put his bag and lunchbox into his locker. The Security Guard ending his night shift paid no attention as Archer casually strolled down the compact hallway an hour before his regularly scheduled shift.

He reached the Casings Facility door and scanned his badge. The door opened with a click and a high-pitched beep. His access to the room was privilege, being one of the few inspectors on his line entrusted with doing secondary final counts on the batch sizes. He’d spent the last few nights memorizing the incoming and outgoing numbers of casing batches scheduled for distribution that week. Inspectors were only responsible for knowing when they were scheduled to work and how many batches to complete for their shift, but all batch numbers were listed on their schedules.

He was surrounded by tall rolling shelves of hundreds of casings rising high to the ceiling, filling up the rather small room. The casings of the devices were no larger than a small jewelry box, and just as harmless. They were made of steel, designed to protect the delicate interworking of the devices. Each device was equipped with a safety that remained depressed, rendering it completely useless and consequently safe.

He walked down the aisles of shelving units until he found the number he was looking for: Batch 45141, then the device: third shelf from the bottom, fourth from the left. All of the device casings were identical except for one, Device #3507. The defective device that only Archer would be able to spot. Archer eyed his precious device with pride one last time. His heart rate increased when he thought of it. It beat at the same increased rate as it did when he thought of Adina.

Implanted a day earlier, lodged discreetly between the safety button and its position in the casing was a thin metal shard that was somehow overlooked during the final inspection of the casings, leaving its safety protruding by one millimeter. Archer clicked his tongue with disappointment at the careless oversight. The metal shard was a piece of blade from a razor, that he had tactfully removed the previous morning after shaving his face. Archer’s lips lifted into a smile across his smooth chubby chin. Batch 45141 was secure, and all devices were ready for detonator installation.

He worked through his first shift beginning at 10:00 AM and it lasted for 3 hours. He passed the time by merrily reciting the live device re-engagement procedure:

Depress with thumb.

Hold with forefinger.

Squeeze until the safety resets.

He was still mumbling the procedure as he exited the inspection floor at 1:00 PM after his shift ended and continued up until his mouth found itself eating his tuna sandwich. He made special arrangements to have his lunch early that day by swapping shifts with another co-worker, so that he wouldn’t miss Adina. He finished his lunch at 1:45 PM and prepared for his final shift of the day.

In the employee locker room, chatter was lively.

“She’s here! Did you get a look at her Archie?” A grey-haired man with a devilish grin jabbed his elbow in Archer’s direction.

“Who?” he said, feigning oblivion as he donned his white jumpsuit.

“Adina Mariam is gonna be on the floor with us! How lucky are we?”

“On the floor?” Archer said in disbelief.

“Yeah. Somehow, she managed to sweet talk her way down from the observation level. Something about assuming the risks or some shit.” The man chuckled and nudged Archer’s side, “You think they’d let me get a photo?”

“Maybe if it was the back of your head, Chuck.”

“Archie’s a comedian today, ladies and gentlemen. Hope he saves some women for the rest of us!”

The two men put on the final pieces of their uniforms: white gloves and a white surgeon’s cap.

They joined the other workers outside of the locker room and formed a line down the hall to the main floor as identically dressed workers wheeled out the shelves from the Casings Facility.

From behind the line, shutters clicked, and a commotion of voices sounded louder as they got closer to the workers. A camera operator, a personal assistant, and the Factory Lead were coming down the hall.

“What time is it?” The personal assistant asked, looking rather frazzled.

“Five til two. Our second shift starts at two.” Said the Factor Lead.

“Okay, so she needs to be outta there by two-thirty for her photo-op with a deployment team.”

“You got it.” He responded.

Another voice spoke out, “And everything is completely safe?”

Archer recognized her crystalline voice from several feet away. Walking gracefully behind them was The Adina Mariam, wearing the same white jumpsuit as the workers. She towered over her team by several inches. Somehow, she managed to look even more spectacular in person. Being in her presence was like seeing an angel. Her face was smooth and clear, and her thick black hair rested in a ponytail on her left shoulder.

“Everything is exceptionally safe.” The Shift Lead said with a smile. “And these are our shift workers about to hit the floor for inspections. You’ll be joining them.”

Adina smiled, revealing perfectly straight white teeth.

Her hazel eyes glittered as she intentionally made eye contact with each worker as she spoke, “We truly thank you all for what you do every day. From the bottom of my heart and for all citizens, thank you.” She continued her thanks down the line while shaking everyone’s gloved white hand. She reached Archer, who couldn’t help but smile, revealing a mouth full of crowded teeth, but Adina still looked him in the eye and said an audible, “Thank you.”

Archer nodded his head, while mentally reciting the re-engagement of the safety lock feature.

Depress with thumb.

Hold with forefinger.

Squeeze until the safety resets.

The workers went ahead of the tour group and entered the factory floor at 2:15 PM. Adina and her team entered at 2:18 PM.

The main floor of the Inspections Facility was a large open room with clear protective shields installed throughout, lining rows of conveyor belts that would send final devices installed in their casings to each inspection station.

The Stations were numbered from 1 to 14, each occupied by a single inspector. Archer took his place at Station 1, where Batch 45151 was scheduled for his row.

Archer took a final glance around the room: all of the workers were focused and engaged in their own station, conducting their final safety checks.

As he began his own safety checklist, a heavy hand fell on his shoulder.

“Archer Joseph, take your place at Station 13. Go.” The shift supervisor started to walk off.

“Oh, no I’m at Station 1. I’m always on Station 1.” Archer corrected him.

“You swapped shifts with Andrews. Jackson is on Station 1.”

Archer looked over at Jackson who was walking up to his position. The jumpsuit swallowed the young man who was no more than 19 and appeared to walk with a limp.

The Supervisor whistled, “Jackson! Move it!”

“Coming sir.” He shuffled over.

“But I have to stay here. What if—” Archer begged.

“You want this shift or not Joseph? I got plenty of guys who wanna be here and get paid. Station 13 or you can get the hell outta here.”

The thought of not getting paid stung Archer to his core. Since the economic collapse, work was scarce and only the defense core was hiring for anyone who’d take the job. Most workers took the job because they had to, and he took it because he also wanted to.

“Could I supervise Jackson?” He asked.

The Shift Lead cocked his head, “Sure, let me just hand you my badge and you can babysit this overgrown nursery.”

Archer’s face got hot.

“Station 13. That is an order, Joseph.”

Archer trudged his way to Station 13 as Adina and the Chief Safety Officer stood behind a protective barrier at the safety lines behind Jackson at Station 1.

A large red light above the team flashed and a steady BUZZ echoed though the large factory, signaling that the conveyor belts were about to move.

The first sets of devices began to roll through.

Archer’s eyes darted to the first devices, and he began counting: Third shelf from the bottom, fourth from the left: Device #3507. One, two, three…

Adina and her team looked on as the devices rolled out one by one. Each station inspector pressed their buttons signaling approval. A light beep signified the-all clear. Archer counted each beep. The defect was so small, only he would be the one to detect it. Once the device reached him, all he’d have to do is press his HALT button and set his plan in motion.

The beeps were steady, he began to relax. The devices that reached him were in perfect condition and went past Station 14, another cherished position, that signaled to the packing team that they were ready to be stored and secured prior to deployment.

The beeps continued until suddenly at 2:25 PM, the deafening sound of the HALT button shrieked through the large room. The conveyor belt stopped, and the workers all took a step back from their stations in unison, except for Archer who was a half-second later than the rest of them. The only one in line was Jackson at Station 1.

The Shift Lead called out. “HALT! Device number!”

Jackson replied back, “#3507.”

Archer’s heart quickened.

“Defect?”

“Jammed safety sir.”

“Is the area secured?”

“Yes sir.” Jackson called back. His voice wavered, “A minor protrusion of the safety has compromised the device. Performing manual unlock and re-engagement.”

“What’s going on?” Adina asked.

“Oh, nothing to be worried about ma’am.” The Safety Officer assured her, though his forehead was sweating. “This is simply a standard safety check. You’ll be fine.”

Jackson slowly began the process with shaking hands.

Depress with thumb.

Hold with forefinger.

Squeeze until the safety resets.

Jackson completed the process in what felt like several minutes. Archer’s expression turned into a scowl as he started to swear under his breath.

“Safety re-engaged sir!” Jackson shouted.

“Oh wow! That was real, wasn’t it?” Adina exclaimed, loud enough for the factory to hear.

The Safety Officer wiped his forehead, “Yes, ma’am it was. We didn’t want to alarm you.”

Adina smiled, relieved. “I’m not going to lie, that was pretty scary. Who was the one that fixed it?”

“That’s Jackson, one of our youngest. He was injured before he could ship out, but he’s been doing his part. Serving at Station 1. The best spotter we have on the crew.”

“That should’ve been mine!” Archer said in a loud whisper.

The worker at station 12 looked over at him. “You okay?”

He scoffed, “Yes, I’m fine.” His breath quickened with frustration as he tried to contain it.

“You want to give the final command?” The Shift Lead said to Jackson, who wore a relieved smile.

“Yes sir!”

“Proceed.”

“All-clear!” Jackson declared.

The other workers stepped back to their stations, again in unison, except for Archer, who returned slowly.

Adina and her team thanked the Shift Lead and Safety Officer as they began to leave the room to continue with the tour.

The loud buzzer sounded once again at 2:35 PM and the conveyor belt started with a jolt, sending Device #3507 continuing down the line.

Archer couldn’t let that be the last time he saw Adina. He’d been planning for a week; he couldn’t let himself go unnoticed by her. He mustered up the courage, knowing that his financial future and job were both at risk, despite it being against protocol, he took a step back from his position and called out, “Thank you, Miss Mariam!”

She stopped and turned around, scanning the room for the voice that called after her, but before she could look him in the eye and give him that striking smile, at 2:39 PM, Device #3507 detonated.