Adventure of Lucky 1

Lucky wakes beneath white factory lamps. Around him, rows of newly made mannequins stand next to him on an assembly line, all awake and awaiting assignment

A young adult woman with dark skin, a narrow build, and a severe black bob walks between the rows. Her gray company uniform is spotless, except for a rust-colored handprint on one sleeve.

One by one, each mannequin on the left of Lucky steps forward, gives themselves a name, and follows two older looking mannequins.

She lifts a folded light-green shirt from a cart.

Lucky hops out of the row, his metal stand clicking sharply against the factory floor. Several newly made mannequins turn their featureless faces toward him before facing forward again.

The attendant stops beside the cart and extends the folded green shirt toward Lucky. The rust-colored handprint on her sleeve seems darker beneath the white lamps.

Behind Lucky, the waiting mannequins remain motionless in their rows. Somewhere inside the walls, a dull knock answers the attendant, slow and hollow.

Lucky's nod comes too quickly, his metal stand clicking twice as he steadies himself. The attendant watches his mouth, then reaches for a clipboard beside the folded shirt.

Her pencil scratches across the assignment sheet. The extra c is small, but unmistakable. When Lucky leans toward it, she folds the clipboard against her uniform.

She presses the green shirt into Lucky's gloved hands and points toward the dormitory doors. Behind him, the newly made mannequins remain rigid while the hollow knock sounds once more inside the wall.