Scripted by Maya Rock Page B

faster than Mik. “I’ll be handling your Character Report from now on. Sit down, please.” As the man gestures me toward the couch, his dark curls sway like wildflowers in the wind.
    â€œWhere’s Mik?” I sit on the couch, doing my best to not reveal how swerved off I am by all the changes. I cross my legs and rest my hands demurely on the plaid jumper I found at the bottom of the closet. Underneath it, I put a plain white shirt. I just wanted to look as normal and harmless as possible for whatever the Initiative is. At the last minute, I borrowed Mom’s hemp bracelet for a
liberato
touch. Today, I want to be as good as a Character with lousy ratings can be.
    My palms are sweaty.
    â€œOn a furlough, fishing at Lake Inok. Happy, happy,” Luz answers from behind his fancy desk. He puts down the notepad and trains his eyes on me. His smile bares yellowish teeth, not too unusual with Reals. I force myself not to recoil.
    â€œLake Inok,” I repeat. Sectors names always sound absurdly plain, as if a butcher took some juicy cut of meat and stripped it to the bone. “What’s going on? Am I getting a ratings mark?”
    â€œNo. Today you’re getting much more.” He twirls a pen like a cheerleader’s baton. “Nettie, welcome to the Initiative.”
    â€œUm, thanks.” I shrink back into the couch, meek as a Pastel at a party.
    â€œThe Initiative was created to increase and retain the Audience.” He lays down his pen and puts his arms behind his head. “The Audience needs
Blissful Days
more than ever. Yet they’re watching the show less.”
    â€œI don’t understand.” I inch forward.
    â€œPartly it’s because of the Drowned Lands. This latest attempt at secession has been harder to put down than past ones. There are entire Drowned Lands islands that are actually under rebel control now,” Luz explains, propping his legs on his desk. “Along with the usual uncertainties and vicissitudes of Real life, the fighting has taken a toll on the Audience. They want entertainment, desperately, but
Blissful Days
doesn’t have the excitement and rawness necessary to fully engage today’s viewers, to alleviate their distress over political realities. That’s where the Initiative comes in.
    â€œThe Initiative gives the Audience what they need. A select group of Characters has weekly Reports in which they’ll receive, along with their ratings marks, suggestions on how to provide the Audience with the captivating entertainment it craves.”
    â€œSuggestions,” I repeat slowly, frowning. “Do you mean I’ll have, like, chores to perform?”
    Luz laughs. “No, you’ll
want
to do your suggestions—they’ll align with your actual desires. That’s what makes them so effective. Here’s your first.” Luz drops his hands, removes his legs from his desk, and sits up, clearing his throat. “Flirt with Callen Herron. Just once, and your ratings will skyrocket.”
    I’m not sure what to say for a few seconds. The thought of spending time with Callen thrills me. But there’s a serious problem. “I told Lia I wouldn’t talk to him.”
    â€œForget Lia. The Audience likes hearing you confide in Selwyn about your tortured feelings. But they want more, need more, to be able to invest in you. Now is the time to take action.”
    â€œI don’t know.” I’d sometimes wished Mik would give me hints about how to improve my ratings, but this feels different. “Doesn’t the Initiative break the noninterference clause of the Contract?”
    â€œEverything’s been cleared by the legal department. Outside, you’ll find an addendum to the Contract, which goes into more detail about the Initiative, if you’re curious. Remember, these are
suggestions,
not orders. You don’t have to take them, but why wouldn’t you?” Luz jumps up