are nice, though they can be a bit frustrating at times. Getting out with the public is a bit trying, but the visits are usually worth it. Use all your training and you will do fine.”
As before, Ruby’s attention returns to her food, not another word said.
I miss Gail already. I never thought I’d long for her incessant chattering.
When we finish our food, Matron Angelo gives me a quick tour of the house. After thirteen years of living in just one room, to have a whole house as mine is overwhelming.
“It’s so big.”
“You’ll adjust. I did.” A flicker of sadness, or maybe annoyance, crosses her face. It’s the first show of emotion I’ve seen from her, and I’m curious what has brought it on.
Before I can ask, George interrupts. “Ms Greene, it is time to go.”
“Thank you,” I say to Ruby. “I’m ready.”
I turn to George, but Ruby grabs my arm and pulls me close. “Just remember, you’re Matron,” she says, our gazes locked. Then she lets me go and walks away without saying anything further.
Her words are strange but reinforce the reality of the situation. In a little under an hour’s time, I am going to be the leader of more than a million people.
Suddenly I can’t breathe. Although I have been preparing for this day for thirteen years, it’s like all the training in the world is no longer enough.
The ride to the city centre seems to take forever, but in reality is only about fifteen minutes. George asks me if I’m all right, and I just nod. No point freaking everyone out because I’m having a panic attack.
I’m greeted backstage by the chairman of the Matron Selection Committee.
“Mr Denham,” I say, shaking his hand.
“Ms Greene,” he replies. “If you want to take a seat for a moment, we will lead you to the main stage shortly and the ceremony will begin.”
I sit down on the chair he points to and go over my speech. I feel like I am waiting for my own execution. Nothing feels celebratory. It feels ominous.
My thoughts drift from the duty at hand to Howard. I wonder what he is doing today. Will he hear the ceremony on the radio? Will he be happy I have been installed as Matron?
A man clearing his throat breaks me out of my thoughts, and I look up to see George.
“It’s time, Ma’am.”
He leads me to the side of the stage, where Mr Denham is giving a speech about the greatness of the day and how promising our future is. Then he talks about Ms Angelo and what a wonderful job she has done as Matron. Last, he introduces me as Oceania’s new Matron.
“Please welcome to the stage Ms Bethanie Greene.”
With a deep breath, and a silent prayer, I step out onto the stage. Looking around, there are people as far as the eye can see in every direction. It is a sea of humanity.
As is tradition, I wave to the crowd for a few minutes then move to the podium, where Mr Denham greets me officially.
“We are gathered here today to welcome a new leader for our proud and glorious nation,” he says. “As our constitution requires, Ms Greene will now take the oath of office.” He turns to face me. “Please raise your right hand. Do you, Bethanie Anne Greene, swear to support and defend the constitution of Oceania? Do you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion? And do you swear you will govern this nation to the best of your abilities, keeping in mind the best interest of all its citizens?”
“I do,” I respond. The feeling of relief I’d expected when everything I’ve been working towards came to fruition doesn’t come.
He reaches for my collar and removes my pin. Picking up the gold one I hadn’t noticed was there, he pins it to my right lapel. It is done.
“By the power invested in me by the constitution of Oceania, I now bestow on you the title of Matron of Oceania.”
The crowd erupts into cheers as he shakes my hand and presents me to the public.
I am their leader. And for the first time ever, I know without a
As before, Ruby’s attention returns to her food, not another word said.
I miss Gail already. I never thought I’d long for her incessant chattering.
When we finish our food, Matron Angelo gives me a quick tour of the house. After thirteen years of living in just one room, to have a whole house as mine is overwhelming.
“It’s so big.”
“You’ll adjust. I did.” A flicker of sadness, or maybe annoyance, crosses her face. It’s the first show of emotion I’ve seen from her, and I’m curious what has brought it on.
Before I can ask, George interrupts. “Ms Greene, it is time to go.”
“Thank you,” I say to Ruby. “I’m ready.”
I turn to George, but Ruby grabs my arm and pulls me close. “Just remember, you’re Matron,” she says, our gazes locked. Then she lets me go and walks away without saying anything further.
Her words are strange but reinforce the reality of the situation. In a little under an hour’s time, I am going to be the leader of more than a million people.
Suddenly I can’t breathe. Although I have been preparing for this day for thirteen years, it’s like all the training in the world is no longer enough.
The ride to the city centre seems to take forever, but in reality is only about fifteen minutes. George asks me if I’m all right, and I just nod. No point freaking everyone out because I’m having a panic attack.
I’m greeted backstage by the chairman of the Matron Selection Committee.
“Mr Denham,” I say, shaking his hand.
“Ms Greene,” he replies. “If you want to take a seat for a moment, we will lead you to the main stage shortly and the ceremony will begin.”
I sit down on the chair he points to and go over my speech. I feel like I am waiting for my own execution. Nothing feels celebratory. It feels ominous.
My thoughts drift from the duty at hand to Howard. I wonder what he is doing today. Will he hear the ceremony on the radio? Will he be happy I have been installed as Matron?
A man clearing his throat breaks me out of my thoughts, and I look up to see George.
“It’s time, Ma’am.”
He leads me to the side of the stage, where Mr Denham is giving a speech about the greatness of the day and how promising our future is. Then he talks about Ms Angelo and what a wonderful job she has done as Matron. Last, he introduces me as Oceania’s new Matron.
“Please welcome to the stage Ms Bethanie Greene.”
With a deep breath, and a silent prayer, I step out onto the stage. Looking around, there are people as far as the eye can see in every direction. It is a sea of humanity.
As is tradition, I wave to the crowd for a few minutes then move to the podium, where Mr Denham greets me officially.
“We are gathered here today to welcome a new leader for our proud and glorious nation,” he says. “As our constitution requires, Ms Greene will now take the oath of office.” He turns to face me. “Please raise your right hand. Do you, Bethanie Anne Greene, swear to support and defend the constitution of Oceania? Do you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion? And do you swear you will govern this nation to the best of your abilities, keeping in mind the best interest of all its citizens?”
“I do,” I respond. The feeling of relief I’d expected when everything I’ve been working towards came to fruition doesn’t come.
He reaches for my collar and removes my pin. Picking up the gold one I hadn’t noticed was there, he pins it to my right lapel. It is done.
“By the power invested in me by the constitution of Oceania, I now bestow on you the title of Matron of Oceania.”
The crowd erupts into cheers as he shakes my hand and presents me to the public.
I am their leader. And for the first time ever, I know without a
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