The Quota
"Goddamn the Quota, anyway."
"Heh, nothing we can do. No use spitting brimstone about it."
"He seems like such a nice kid. I hate to do this to him. Kid doesn't have the exoskeleton for it. 'Skin for it?' Whatever the humans say."
"Aren't you always the one saying they need as many nice people as they can get? Seems like you of all people should be ecstatic over this little morsel joining their ranks."
"Who knows if he'll even still be a nice kid by the time he finds his people? Go look at his parents' memories, it's not going to be a pretty time for him. I hate doing this, Zephriel."
"Oh don't sigh all heavy like that! You know I can't stand that pout!"
"I think it would bother me less if we got the cases with accepting families, or even an aunt who's like them so they don't feel so alone. Seems like you and I are always on Quota Balance duty."
"Careful, you start talking like that, people will think you're against the Quota--here, hold his eyelid open, I'll do it--and then where will you be?"
"Well, maybe I am against the Quota. Careful, he's rousing a little."
"Bah! Then hold him steady, will you? Anyway... you know the rule, some get placed in G-class homes, some get placed in P2-class homes like this. You know the new management can't stop talking about 'Quota-this', 'Quota-that'."
"I just don't see the worst that could happen if all of them got to grow up G-class."
"You're not human, you wouldn't understand anyway, Posarion. They seem to prefer it this way. Alright, there, this one's all done. Heh heh, rest easy while you can, kiddo. What's next?"
"Just up the street. The Meyerson's eldest."
"Meyersons!? New management has a sick sense of humor, maybe tonight will be more fun than I thought. Let's go. What are you doing?"
"Just... giving him a vision is all."
"You're not authorized to do that!"
"I'm just... showing him who he's going to be, just a sneak peak, just enough to maybe guide his way. You're not going to report me?"
"Bah! Of course not. You're a ball and chain, Posarion, but you're my ball and chain."
"Goddamn Quota. Alright, let's go."
