Humans are a shallow species. They look out only for themselves, and they help each other only if it somehow helps them. This creates a symbiotic cycle in which everyone uses everyone else, each person doing so because of an ulterior motive in which those actions benefit themselves somehow. These desires are nothing new. If you would page through the history books you would see for hundreds of years man used anything it viewed as being below him or her. Man would use it until it no longer could serve a purpose for anyone or anything.
This held true even within man's own species. As all men are not created equal. This is a fact that humanity is born with the knowledge and understanding that equality is nothing more than an illusion. As certain people are born into situations better than others. More doors are open to some people than other people.
Even within these so called norms and inequalities every once in awhile you have an anomaly, or a virus if you will. This virus infects the norms and predetermined structure of things. They tear apart and abuse what has been created and built upon. This is what have we have here. We have a society in which new norms and values are presented. These people are then expected to live within these new societal boundaries.
This is where we find Matt. A person who has been taken from one society, and thrust into another. A world covered in someone else's belongings. Can you even picture such a world? A place where everything you could ever hope to interact with is someone else's. Historically speaking, Matt has gone from a land owning white European male to a black slave who isn't even viewed as being able to comprehend the concept of owning land. Who's told that god created them to be slaves.
This is what Matt finds himself facing. He went to college, he graduated, Matt was a well educated human being. He could see and understand what Jamie had done. She had stripped away everything he had done. Over twenty years of work gone in an instant and now, he was nothing more than a slave. He was allowed to do but a single task and if he would carry out this task he would be bestowed the greatest gift of all. Life.
Knowledge was Matt's greatest enemy. If he were dumber, the situation may be easier. Perhaps he could fool himself in thinking that this was merely lateral move. Maybe even a step up. You have someone providing for you. However that was not the case. Matt found himself shrunk and placed into a baby food jar. A jar that was much too small to house someone of his size. However not only was that irrelevant to his taskmaster, Matt knew she loved it.
Matt had already spent two days in his new surroundings. A few hours into his first day here he was explained that he was entering into what you could call as a trial period. Where just like in videogames such as World of Warcraft, in which they give you thirty days of free play to take the game for a test drive. Matt is being given the same opportunity. Perhaps that is a bad example. It may be better explained like this. If you have ever bought fish for an aquarium before, when you take them home you are suppose to keep them in bag floating atop the water in the aquarium for a bit. This adjusts the water that they are coming from, to the water they are going into. It makes the adjustment less stressful.
Matt is being given that very opportunity. These first few days he doesn't have to do anything. He just sits in the Jar looking out at the world adjusting to his new life, his new world, and his new environment. During this process, another tiny man had approached Matt. Just like with back story who had earlier approached him, he was still confused and perplexed as to not only why they carry out these demeaning tasks but why they stick around. So when the man known as Frequently Asked Questions or F.A.Q. approached him a period of enlightenment was about to begin.
However, Matt had suspected this would take place in a one on one setting. That was not the case, as before a single question could be asked the master of the room entered. Matt had gotten use to her coming and going, however this time was different. She headed straight for him and F.A.Q. She looked down at the two of them as if they were but an iPod, cell phone, or one of any other trivial modern conveniences.
Jamie unscrewed the Jar with ease before setting it on its side, which allowed Matt to crawl out of the jar onto her hand that lay level with the shelf that his jar was set upon. F.A.Q. followed Matt onto the hand and then Jamie headed out of the bedroom and down one set of stairs, before walking down hallway, then going down another set of stairs. It wasn't until they reached the basement and were set down onto a work bench that Matt begun to get worried.
"Hello Tech Support, my name is F.A.Q. as you know. I am here to answer your questions through this stressful and difficult time in your life. However, rest assured this is for the best. As you can now devote yourself to the betterment of someone else's life. You should take pride in that. As volunteering is its own reward."
"What kind of pot have you been smoking? I have been abducted by this bitch, kidnapped as have you I would assume. You can't..." Matt screamed hysterically
"Listen Tech Support I know you have a lot of frustration over what is going on, and there will be time for you to unleash that frustration. Now is not the time as I have a lot to explain and the master's time is valuable. So if you will please lie against the board behind you. It will be better for you to cooperate."
Matt of course had no intention of following the orders of this man or his captor. He made that abundantly clear when he once again called her bitch and refused to submit to her wishes. He went on to say that if she wanted him to lay down on this board she might as well go fuck herself as then atleast she would be accomplishing something.
Jamie had already heard enough and lowered her hand towards the table. She drew her pointer finger back and struck Matt with her finger. The force of blow sent him up and off his feet before crashing back down onto the hard wooden workbench. Matt was gasping for air as he grabbed his chest in pain. Each breath he took was now labored as groaned in pain. Unfortunately, for Matt he landed on his stomach. So Jamie merely flicked him again so that he landed on the board properly.
"Take note F.A.Q. two attempts this time. I believe that's a personal best."
"It is master, very good. Very good indeed." F.A.Q. answered insuring his master of her statements.
Matt on the other hand looked upwards at the brown haired girl. He could not believe that his neighbor would do such a thing. Jamie was a plain looking girl. Maybe plain is the wrong word. It is probably better spoken as completely average when it comes to looks. Matt continued to stare up wondering how such a nice looking normal girl could do such a thing.
"I tried to tell you Tech Support. If you just had listened, this could have been avoided. You can take solace in the fact that no one has ever listened to me. Now I wont lie, this next part is going hurt and not just a little. So please don't take offense when I turn away." F.A.Q. said as he took a few steps back before turning his back to Matt.
Jamie could not blame F.A.Q. as she knew he was a good person at heart and did not want to see the following scene. However, she on the other hand loved this part. This is when everything starts to set in for the little people. They realize there new stature in life is far below that of what it used to be. As their current worth makes them quite expendable.
Matt did not understand what was about to come. If he had maybe he would have chose his words differently. He might have tried to reason with the girl. It wouldn't have helped but it might have extended his waning moments. Matt looked upwards at the face of young woman and saw a smile on her face as she jabbed a pushpin through his shoulder and into the corkboard that lay on the wooden bench.
A scream erupted from Matt like he had never heard before. T his was a pain far worse than being shot. He looked over at his shoulder and could now only see the pink push pin, which was cutting through his body. This might have been a godsend as he was so focused on the pushpin that was jabbing through him he never saw pushpin that was through his other shoulder. He only felt excruciating pain and could feel the salty water puddle in the corner of his eyes. Matt kicked at the corkboard as he once again cried out in pain while Jamie merely applied some lip-gloss and smacked her lips a few times while waiting for Matt settle down.
The sheer lack of concern and ho hum, nature of his neighbor brought about a sense of fear and dread in Matt. He couldn't believe that someone could be so uncaring towards another human being. It was almost as if she didn't even hear his cries for pain. Matt tried briefly to stand up but it was no use. If he could somehow find a way to stand up it would be in vein as he would be dead. Matt moved his arms in an attempt to pull the pushpins out however, they were much too large to pull out. When the third and fourth pushpins went through his knees Matt barely felt it in comparison to the first two; as his body was already numb from the pain.
Matt was breathing roughly, as he looked up at Jamie who had a rather happy look on herself. She looked down at him and once again informed him that if he had just come over on his own volition that this could have been avoided. That the couple of minutes it would have taken to fix her computer would have been negligible. However, he didn't and now had no one to blame but himself. That this new life would serve as a punishment for his own self-serving attitude and desires.
None of this sat well with Matt. As here was a woman berating him for being selfish when she herself is abducting people and forcing them into some kind of slavery in order to do things she cannot or just doesn't want to do herself. Matt didn't know if it was irony or stupidity. It took him only but a moment to decide on both. A man usually knows when he is beat. However in this case it may have been pride, perhaps arrogance, but definitely now the smarts that Matt used to claim his degree as he spat up at Jamie while calling her cunt.
"You're a worthless piece of flesh who will get what she deserves one of these days you stupid cunt. You want to know what your problem is? You're so caught up in you that..."
"Just a moment, phone call." Jamie interjected as she merely swiveled the stool she was perched on and showed Matt her back.
This of course drove Matt up the wall. Here he was giving it to this ungrateful bitch and she just not only cuts him off, but cuts him off to answer her phone and on top of that shows him her back as if he was not even there. The action itself infuriated Matt as it was an insult.
What really angered him was that he was smart enough to realize where this put him. Here she was torturing him for her entertainment however even the slightest thing can completely put that on hold. His torture was as if she was watching television waiting for something happen. Matt was lying here on this piece of corkboard fighting for his life while she fields phone calls from her friends.
Matt watched her start to lean back against the workbench and as she laughed and made unimportant banter with her friend about her day and made plans for the weekend. It was your typical phone call between two girlfriends. Rather normal mindless banter that unless you are in the know makes little sense even if you cared.
The conversation went on for several minutes before Jamie turned around, setting cell phone down mere inches from Matt. Matt couldn't help but look at the massive size of the phone in comparison to himself. A hello kitty phone strap dangled from phone, while its sparkling purple exterior drives home its overall girliness.
"Don't worry you only have one painful part left to go, then you're all through and you can start your new life. This next part will be used as identification." F.A.Q. said rather matter of factly as he signaled to his master that he was ready.
Matt looked upward as Jamie moved the cigarette lighter and metal stick moved over him. At first Matt didn't quite understand how this would be used as identification however as soon as the cigarette lighter was moved away he saw that it was not just a metal pole. As that would not be permanent enough, no this was a metal brand scaled down to work with people of his size. Matt now fought a bit and understood what the push pins were for. They were not to torture him but to hold him in place. Matt pleaded for mercy as she set the cigarette lighter down next to him and pushed the metal brand against his chest. Matt cried out a murderous yell if not for his size. The brand seemed to burrow into his skin as if it were going to be a permanent resident however as Jamie pulled the brand away Matt was just glad it was over. At least he thought it was however, not more than a second or two later A smaller brand was pressed against his forehead. This was several times more painful than the brand on chest. Matt felt his body surge and press against the pushpins as the brand dug into his forehead.
"That wasn't so bad now was it?" Jamie said in a consoling tone as she stood up from the bench and started to walk away. Matt wondered if that was it. If she was just going to leave him like this however, Matt is just not that lucky. He watched his giant captor return this time with a laptop. Several minutes of silence past by where the only noise was the clicking of keys on the laptop.
"Okay last step." Jamie simply said as a metal collar was lowered down towards him using a tweezers. Once the collar was not more than a few inches away, the collar was released and dropped onto his neck. Matt didn't expect to feel anything but a burning sensation that seemed to course through his body. He could see a wire going from the collar directly into a port on the laptop. The entire process started to make Matt a bit scared.
Several minutes passed by before the awkward burning sensation seemed to have passed; however his body seemed like it was tingling all over and his head was absolutely pounding. After what felt like hours F.A.Q. finally stepped back into view.
"What happened to me? What is going on?" Matt answered in a scared tone for the first time.
"The collar you have on, is just like the one I have here. Its purpose is two folded. On one hand, it shows ownership similar to how a person buys a collar for a cat or dog. However, unlike the collars you buy for your pets this one sears itself into your body. Meaning the only way to get it off would be to cut off your head. On top of being impossible to remove it connects directly your brain via the use of nerve endings and other bodily connections which I wont get into as quite frankly you wouldn't understand it. The short version is, certain functions on your body can be directly controlled. Such as your speech has been filtered, you can only read certain words, you can also be tracked at any and all times. I would also suggest not leaving the world unless instructed to do so by the powers that be. Otherwise, your lungs will stop functioning and you will suffocate to death. Also, you are not allowed to do direct bodily harm onto yourself or knowingly harm yourself."
"Surprisingly I got all that." Matt said as he looked upwards at his fellow comrade.
"Yes the collar made your mind willing to accept that information. So you learned and comprehended it much easier. Unfortunately learning things outside of your job is much more difficult."
"Now if you don't have any other questions we can conclude this."
"Wait, when do I eat? I haven't gotten anything since, since, I can't remember."
"Your home contains preserves." F.A.Q. said as he signaled to the master that the subject was enlightened.
The journey back to Jamie's room was rather quick. As they re-entered her bedroom he kept searching in his mind for the right word to call it, however only the world appeared in his mind. This frustrated him as he knew it was incorrect, but his mind couldn't seem to formulate anything else to call it. Matt's attention turned towards Jamie only for the first time everything escaped him. It seemed to be on the tip of his tongue yet just out reach. Things like the fact that she's his neighbor, her name, her age, what she does. All things Matt knew that he should know and does know are just completely blank. As he looks up at Jamie the only thing he can come up with is master. The thought alone made him sick.
Matt obediently sat down Indian style in the jar as the lid was screwed on. He found it odd but he somehow knew this was the appropriate way to sit. He remembered when he first arrived he saw hair-care and crumb sitting exactly like this. At first, he thought it was just a coincidence but now the full realization has dawned on him. Before when he was in here the only way he could be was hunched over and kneeling. However this method provides the most comfort and space.
Several more minutes had passed as Matt begun to adjust to things such as his reflection. He was now dawned in only his boxer shorts and the initials JM burned into his chest and forehead. The metal girlish looking collar around his neck, the entire sight was humbling. Matt wondered what his family was doing. If they were worried, if they were looking for him, he wished desperately that the could call them, or talk to them just one more time.
It wasn't long after the thoughts of his family that Matts stomach growled once again. He remembered back to what F.A.Q. had told him. That preserves would be supplied here, however Matt could see nothing, atleast nothing at first. Matt then started realize exactly why these jars were used. They weren't left like this as the smell of baby food is torturous. The jars are left like this as the streaks and clumps of left over babyfood act as nutrition and nourishment.
"She can't be serious. I cant be expected to eat this stuff." Matt thought to himself however his hunger overtook him. He brought his face near the wall and ran his hand along one of the walls as a small snowball of babyfood formed in his hand. Matt then brought the food up to his mouth and started munching away. Almost immediately the stuff practically turned his stomach. It tasted just as bad as he remembered. As the baby food hit his mouth he would gag a bit and want to spit it up however Matt forced himself to swallow all that he took. In fact it took several handfuls of the spinach baby food that was in his jar to fill him up.
It was soon thereafter that with a full stomach he could feel himself getting some sleepy. Matt found the idea of sleeping in this jar revolting however at the sametime he knew that he may be called upon to do something at any moment and if he wasn't rested he may be killed and death didn't seem like an appealing option. Plus if nothing else it is an escape from this hell he was now forced to live with.