In class we were invited to view our projects through a science-fictional lens and to write a short story with that as the parameter. I found it a useful reflective practice to vividly embody the isolation that can occur as a result of siloization in the university by placing it in a speculative future.
Arriving in the Grand Hall, my eyes slowly begin to pick out shapes in the dim light. Some are recognizable and some less solid, but the hum of unease is thick around, prompting sweat to prick in hot points under my arms. Turning in a slow circle, careful to stay in the spot I was dropped into, mind reeling from the quick jolt. I am finally here! This hallowed bastion of Creativity, drawing elite students from across the galaxy: Grand Central Saint Martins, gateway to the arts!
Flickering across my face-screen, instructions flash in rapid succession, downloading into my personal directory. I notice that everyone around me is similarly fixed into place. Suddenly, our transition locks are lifted and glowing arrows point on my screen up diagonally to my classroom. I am the only body in the room and the teacher shimmers in hologram at one side of the room, gesturing to information that appears simultaneously on my screen. Am I the only one who opted for corporeal presence this year?
I scroll through my directory to find who else decided to study Imaginarium Aquarium this year and find it empty, only tutors are listed. But I see students participating in the chat in an endless scroll across the bottom of my screen.
Here but not here, alone in a stale room.
After class ends, I try to find my way back to the main hall to see fellow students but my lighted map only shows through the murky light the direction to the transportation pod. Sighing, I follow and decide to try again. A voice chirps as I leave: Big Welcome, thank you for coming! The Galaxy needs creativity™ !
Each day settles into a similar pattern, shuffling into the transport, arriving in the dim hall, straining to see who else goes to the school and what they are doing here, what even are the other courses? What does the building look like? Who can I ask? Is any of it real? Why am I here?