Interlude- Special interviews

In-between the breaks that take place after each first round, the management usually lets streams follow their normal programs or prepare specials of each contestant or other topics related to R.O.C. This year, though, they slid in something special that took priority and was advertised on all major platforms.

-“Special interview with three previous patients airing tonight. You can also watch it afterwards on all Brands' primary channels”, said the banner, which spread like wildfire among the citizens on every level. All working stations were even granted special breaks so that everyone can follow the material.

Robert, who was by this point made aware of Samuel’s and Milla’s plan, accepted to become the spokesperson for the interviews and delivered beforehand in the name of all the Brands:

-” As the presumed father of the contestant that started these rumors, I chose to stand before you and give a concise explanation. We are sorry. It is true that we never took into consideration how not updating you with the status of our previous participants would be inconsiderate. Up until today, we wanted to keep them out of the public’s eye so that they could live their lives as productive workers, but three of them generously agreed to speak for you, and to us. We apologize again for our mistake and the Brands would like to thank these three hard workers for all their time.”

The first one to be interviewed was a girl, fully transformed by her cybernetics into something more machine than man, presented as the winner of the competition from three years ago. She complained how she had a tough life before as a construction tester and translator for the lower levels, but - “I’m happier now that I have these parts. I know how it makes me look, and I do have to take them to five customer centres for check-ups and such, but still. My jobs became so much more enjoyable and easier, especially since the risk of accidents dropped by 15%. Imagine that, a drop from 60 to 45%? Some people would kill for that kind of security.” They talked for another hour regarding her other small stuff.

An old man, that passed through the contest last year, was sitting alone, on his small balcony, on the 34th floor of a commune building. He appeared content, even though he was missing half of his body. “I sold some of the parts, and look at me now. I finally managed to buy out, not rent or sub-rent, but buy a 3 by 3 living quarter with its own balcony.”, he proudly proclaimed with arms wide open, while turning around like an excited child. “ Listen, it was a hard decision to make, I’ll give you that, but I don’t regret it. I worked hard for those robotic legs, it was my call on what to do with them.” The old man continued to ramble on for two more hours.

Last, but not least, was a short man, with puffed out hair and, and tired eyes, surrounded at his desk by tons of mechanical parts. He presented himself as Diaz Cid, a man of few words, but highly praised by his colleagues, staff, and managers, especially for his leadership and dedication to fixing mechanics. “ After I somehow won the contest 25 years ago, I returned to my job as an engineer, but something changed. I could see, uhm, better I think? I could understand faster how each piece worked in conjunction, why a nut was needed here and there, you know?”, he said while holding a short smile.

Everyone around him considered him talented before, but after he came back with the augmentations, something in him changed. He was more confident in himself and his work, which in addition to his results, rose him to the position of middle team leader of his own team.

At the end of the special, Robert took the stage again and promised everyone that they will return with such a segment next year, another in two years, and so forth. He finished off his speech with a simple, solemn message- “ We do remember them.”