"Artisan"

11 years ago. Year: 2289. Reef and Angelica are about to join 1st grade in “Artisan”. They are walking to the school.

Reef: “Listen, I don’t have your senseless confidence, okay? In order for me to feel comfortable I need to at least know the place.”

Angelica replies: “OMG... Can you stop complaining???”

-“But everyone is already there from kindergarten! Children are basically born into that school, I won’t be surprised if they have a hospital there with nurses and everything...”

-“Pfff HAHAHA, that’s hysterical!” She replies.

-“Think about it, it may be 1st grade, but for the others it’s gonna be their 4th year! What if we are completely alienated?” Reef keeps worrying.

-“And I told you it’s going to be fine! My friend who was ‘born’ there will show us around, you will love her I promise.”

Reef could not have possibly predicted the accuracy of that statement.

-“Well, if you say so.” He replied.

They enter through the entrance area for the first time. The automated door opens quite fast, as it immediately reveals a cute short girl, with relatively short blonde hair who was waiting there.

-“Hey Crysty!” Angelica happily calls her. -“This is Reef, the cute guy I told you about! He was dying to meet you!”

-“aWha..?” Reef freezes.

-“Well, he certainly looks like a nice person.” Crysty says.

-“WHA..What are you talking about? Who even said that?! Don’t listen to her she is crazy!” Reef replies, raging and blushing. -“I’m not even that nice, so whatever she told you...”

-“If Angelica says you are nice, then it must be true. Nice to meet you Reef.” She says as she offers her arm for a hand shake. -“I’m Crysty. Follow me, I will show the two of you around.”

Reef finds himself mostly frozen again while going naturally for the hand shake, slowly regaining his composure by absorbing her mild and charming energy.

They follow her for a quick tour to see some of the school’s facilities. -“In this room they develop photos in an old school kind of way, this is for history of filmography teaching, so most of the year they use it for storage. You know, cameras and all sorts of equipment.” Crysty explains.

-“Yea, most of the time we use Smart-BLUEs so we usually either take pictures or film outside.” Someone says after showing suddenly from the corner of the room. He looks slightly nerdy and has a short black hair.

-“Oh, Albert! I didn’t know you are here.” Crysty says, addressing the other kid.

Albert: “I was just about to look for you and Arney. Who are these two?”

Crysty: “The pretty red head is Angelica, and...” Angelica cuts her in the middle: “And the gloomy looking one is Reef, nice to meet ya!” Angelica looks satisfied after poking at Reef.

-“Wha..” Reef mumbles, unprepared, while Albert laughs awkwardly.

-“They will tell you all about themselves but first let’s group up with Arney so they won’t have to do it so many times in their first 5 minutes entering the school, haha.” She laughs and leads their way outside.

As they walk after her, Albert walks next to Crysty, and behind them walk Reef and Angelica.

-“So they just arrived huh? Yea, I guess every year there are new comers. I almost forgot about it.” Says Albert.

-“SEE?? I told you most of them are born here!” Reef rage-whispers to Angelica.

-“It’s okay, who cares if you didn’t study here in kindergarten...” She answers. -“Actually, are you participating in the study of your preferred occupation as early as kindergarten?” She suddenly addresses them.

-“Yes, but you can always change subjects if you are curious about something else. Your year mostly indicates your mandatory education level. The more you combine optional classes though, the more you need to speed up to the class level, so although there are no limitations on that, some classes may override each other, and the more you bite, etcetera, etcetera...” Crysty explains.

-“My scores are not that good but I can get at least a passing grade in most mandatory classes. I absolutely love taking pictures though. I don’t take any other optional classes besides that. I already have a tough time because of the mandatory ones that I struggle with.” Says Albert. -“I wish I could be more like you Crysty. You guys know she aces all tests right?”

-“That’s ma girl!” Angelica shouts and put her hand on her shoulder, joining their line. Reef is still behind them, he stares at Crysty laughing with Angelica a bit as he retains the same walking speed, and eventually catches up to them and walks alongside them.

They arrive at an entrance of a large room. -“This is the drama class. Well, at least of our year. As you can see there are some doors that lead to more rooms inside, in some there are stages and props. There are some props here as well.” She says as she presses a button on the wall that opens up an automated closet with different customs. -“You can even designate specific customs in different sizes! Not everything is always available though.”

Reef: “Wow, this is really a hardcore school.

-“Wait until you see the garden and the music room!” Crysty says enthusiastically. -“When is your first class starting?”

Angelica: “It’s starting soon, right after this break time.”

-“Perfect. When the bell rings Arney will finish and come outside so we can all introduce ourselves officially. Then, I’ll show you to your class right after.

In “Artisan”, the school system reminds more of an old school university or college than any other normal mandatory schooling. Most schools at this new modern age perform on that level systematically, at least to some degree. Mandatory classes are still exactly that, mandatory, but most of the teachings done in school mirror the times and carry a huge impact on the continuation of that culture, presenting a lot of selective classes.

Technology is integrated in every corner. Using that technology in the arts is very much endorsed. Students are pushed to always strive for their dreams, but some classes may have more impact than others as far as opportunities go, since A.I has taken over the globe, and its’ usage may hinder artists who want to make a name for themselves, as it has deemed them replaceable to some degree. However, at all times, all arts find ways to make artists relevant one way or another.

The bell rings and the theatre students leave, making noise as they exit the room. A skinny figure with fuzzy brown hair is standing there, seemingly noticing them. He calls them over: “Hey guys, who are these two? Your friends?”

-“Yea, let’s all go out to the garden and introduce ourselves.” Crysty says.

They reach the inner part of the school building and exit it towards the center. In front of them is a whole park, a huge open field with trees, flowers and grass, and not one robot in sight.

Reef and Angelica react instantly at the same time: “WOW!”

They can’t help being mesmerized by the sight.

-“This... This is my favorite place in the entire world, and certainly in the entire school.” Crysty reveals.