[Today]

This is my third month in this country as an immigrant, marking the successful completion of my work probation and the initial stage of the citizenship application process. This initial stage, or Stage Zero, is a significant part of the process as it determines the duration of sponsorship required for naturalization. Becoming a citizen of this country has always been a dream of mine, and I am grateful that achieving this dream has not been a herculean task nor a financial burden. Yet, despite these positive strides, I can't shake off a sense of impending doom as if my dream world has collapse.

Keegan: You're Yung, right? The fresh fish?

Yung: Yeah, that's me!

Keegan: Come sit with us, mate.

The environment and people here seem genuinely friendly, a stark contrast to what I've seen in movies or documentaries. It's surprising that I don't see people wrestling, and the place smells more like a hotel lobby than sweat and blood. Contrary to my expectations, this place doesn't feel hostile or lonely compared to the outside world. Perhaps this country follows the Norwegian system and strongly advocates love, or maybe these are just my first-day impressions.

Keegan: Jin, meet Yung.

Jin: Oh, so you're Yung! Make yourself at home.

Yung: Does it always feel like this?

Jin: Uh, what do you mean?

They looked at me with wide eyes, a look of confusion.

Yung: Erm, like this, pretty homie and friendly, haha.

Keegan: I see. Yeah, pretty much like it. But I do have to say, humans are quite tribal and it does apply here as well.

Jin: Aww Yung, does this mean we're friends now too?

Keegan: Well, just watch your back. Conflict does happen sometimes. It's political but none of it is violent at all.

Yung: Feels like kindergarten then.

Jin: You could say that.

*"Political" doesn't sound promising to me, to be honest. However, Keegan reassured me that it's a place free of any violent acts. This slightly calms my timid mind, which had been filled with wild imaginings of being bullied or, worse, getting killed here. Anyway, I shouldn't overthink too much. I will only be here for about two weeks to prove my innocence, as advised by my lawyer and therapist.

Keegan: So, how did you end up here?

Jin: You don't look like you would have done anything wrong.

Yung: Me? Both of you don't look like you belong here either.

Jin: Come on, tell us your story.

Yung: I'm not a local. I chose to migrate here voluntarily...

Keegan: Let me stop you right there. See, that's not new to us. No one here is local except the ones who were born and bred here.

Jin: Keegan is always right! Tell us how you ended up "here" with us.

What they said is true; I am one of many, just like them. No self-pity is needed. Perhaps we are where we are due to an unfortunate tragedy. I don't know their stories, but mine is a nightmare to revisit or discuss. Why? It might destabilize my mental equilibrium and trap me in a loop of a soul-searching odyssey, alone in a cold cocoon where my only company is my echoes and unhappy memories. If I tell them everything, would they see me as a weakling who deserves this outcome or question my ability to cross the state border on my own merits? Regardless, none of this matters in the end. I still have to deal with my own baggage, and this is an opportunity to face it.

Keegan: Yung? Are you okay?

Yung: Uh, I am okay. Sorry, I zoned out. Where were we again?

Jin: Discussing your misfortune, I guess?

Yung: Ah, well. It is definitely a misfortune, a practical joke. But you guys have to share yours too.

Keegan: Absolutely, mate. This is how we bond.

Yung: Before I start, I just want to clarify that I am innocent and I wasn't supposed to be here.

Jin: Just tell us already.

Yung: Here we go.

[Last Week]

I can't believe I've managed to complete all my outstanding work before my summer holidays start tomorrow. I've achieved this alone in the office, with the help of my only friend in town, Wizzy, who truly cares about my well-being. Many friends and family back home wonder why I'm working so much here; it doesn't make sense to them. According to them, I should be enjoying life more, given that the social system here is more developed, perhaps even superior to Scandinavian systems. They know this place as having the best technology and policies designed to alleviate doomsday anxiety and, most importantly, the drudgery of work. However, this applies primarily to those who are settled here, the true middle class with a good record of "Deeds", or those who migrated with generational wealth, also known as equity investment. Unfortunately, that's not my life now.

Receptionist: Enjoy your break, Yung! See you in about two weeks.

Yung: You should take a break as well!

Receptionist: Well, I'm a machine who truly enjoys the job, and my purpose is to serve people.

Yung: Now, I feel guilty as if I'm wishing to become inhuman.

Receptionist: Yung, I'm happy, and that's what matters to me.

Wizzy: I suggest you change your attire. It's extremely hot outside, and you forgot your wallet again.

Yung: Oh, no! Okay.

Receptionist: Huh? Yung: Sorry, I was just responding to Wizzy, my assistant. I'm heading back up now.

Receptionist: Let me guess, you forgot something important again.

Yung: You're really good at your job!

I slip into the tech wear that I've recently acquired from a place known as XV. This isn't just any brand, it's a pragmatic fashion powerhouse that ingeniously merges the creativity of Acronym with the affordability of North Face. The brains behind this label? Three fashion connoisseurs who sharpened their skills at the houses of Samuel Ross, Prada, Uniqlo, and quite surprisingly, an architectural titan, OMA. They had one mission in their collective mind - Pragmatic Radicalism. The pièce de résistance of their attire lies in its chameleon-like ability to adapt to the ever-fluctuating whims of weather. As I step into it for the first time, an overwhelming sensation courses through me. I feel invincible, my confidence soaring to new heights.

Wizzy: Your wallet.

Yung: Oh yeah. Thanks for the reminder.

Wizzy: Yung, try slowing down your thoughts and counting the objects around you every time before you leave a place. This will help improve your focus. Otherwise, you might cause trouble for yourself. You can't rely on me all the time.

Yung: Yes Mom! It’s such a blessing that they invented you, Wizzy. The world beyond this state border isn't as inclusive as here, and trouble, I could say, is my birthright.

Wizzy: Still, there will be times when I won't be around. Why can't you be more open about being different?

Yung: Different? Well, I believe the world is still modeled to ensure everyone is managed in the most efficient way possible. The fewer bottlenecks, the better.

Wizzy: You're not wrong. Just maybe give this new environment a chance, perhaps.

Yung: Slowly, I'm still acclimating. Please guide me home!

The sweltering heat envelops the city, making it feel as though it has been leased to Hades himself for a sinister party. It's a day that seems perfectly crafted for chaos; as if the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are sowing the seeds of destruction, and the Grim Reaper is busy reaping souls to populate the underworld. Virtual signs across the city have turned code red, advising the public to stay indoors, limit their outdoor activities, and consume plenty of water, even suggesting specific health remedies.

Despite being clad in my anti-heat tech wear, only five minutes outside the office has me feeling the intensity of the heat wave. My face feels like it's on fire, and my throat teeters on the brink of severe dehydration. While it's definitely not COVID, I can't help but think that I need to grab a few bottles of drink on my way home. This will help prevent any latent viruses in my body from taking advantage of my weakened state and waging war against my white blood cells..

Yung: How much longer until I reach the station?

Wizzy: It's roughly a 10-minute walk. By the way, your blood sugar is dropping.

Yung: Yeah, I can feel it. Is there a grocery store nearby?

Wizzy: Yes, it's straight ahead, about 5 minutes from the station.

Yung: Oh great, that’s really helpful. I hope I don't faint before I can replenish. That would be pathetic.

Wizzy: Just be careful. It might get really crowded and you might want to speed up.

Thank goodness, the store isn't crowded. The beverages section is conveniently relocated to the entrance, which makes it easy for people to quickly grab what they need and leave. I picked up two bottles of vitamin water and left immediately. Despite the air conditioning being on, I was concerned about the dehydrated marathon runners coming in from across the street. I don't handle the smell of sweat well, and a crowded grocery store is a breeding ground for viruses.

Like any other day, my trips to the grocery store are always purposeful. They satisfy my need for instant gratification during walks. These stores continue to exist even in a country where most people have shifted to prescription-based consumption for their essentials-it's an easy way to manage our deeds, finances, and health without much thought. It's like a customized subscription, thanks to our best friend- Artificial Intelligence.*

Yung: Hey Wizzy, you've been really quiet. Can you continue guiding me home?

Wizzy: …

I find it amazing that in this country, machines can behave like humans or specifically, like cats. I guess I'll have to find my way home by myself, and I really need to get going. The "thirsty-ghosts" are entering the store just as I'm leaving. The AV station should be a five-minute walk from here, just at the end of the junction. But why are people looking at me as if I've done something strange? Perhaps I forgot to zip up my pants. Suddenly, two strangers emerge from the crowd.

Strangers: You have to come with us.

Yung: Uh, no.

Are they trying to rob me? If I run, where should I go? If I take the AV here, they might follow me home. If I shout for help, it could be a mistake, and that would be so embarrassing. The butterflies in my stomach are going wild, and it's messing with my mind. Anxiety is flaring up and it might paralyze my actions. In this moment, I feel like prey that's accidentally wandered into a predator's territory, much like a deer stumbling upon a lion's turf. Regardless, running seems to be the best option. I should also make an emergency call to the police or find the nearest "emergency point".

Yung: "Wizzy, my life is in danger. These two strangers have been following and pursuing me since I exited the grocery store. Can you hear me?"

Wizzy:….

Operator: "We have suspended all your accounts. Please visit one of the OLO 'help bars'."

This is terrible. Not only is Wizzy down, but my virtual overlays have also crashed. To make matters worse, I can no longer access any of my other accounts. It feels like my world has collapsed instantly. I suspect the culprits are part of a professional crime syndicate. They're so good at blending in, disguising themselves as average citizens in a country that prides itself on being free of mafia and crime. If they are the proverbial wolves in sheep's clothing, then raising the alarm in a crowded shop would be a foolish move. They might be skilled method actors, and with all my ID peripherals down, people might suspect me instead. This leaves me with only two options: visit the OLO "help bar" or head to the emergency point located nearby. From there, I could sound the SOS alarm.

Postman: Hey kid, move out of the way!

Yung:…

Postman: Hello!

Yung: Oh, sorry, here you go.

Postman: Such a typical snowflake and strawberry generation.

Yung: "Very friendly."

Postman: Wait, you look familiar!

Yung: What!?

The Postman: I've seen your face all over the city! You're the wanted person, the thief that the Watch House is searching for. I see why you're hiding here now. Not very smart, this is a utility lane for ground deliveries. Kid, you should just surrender; jail might be good for you. I don't really think you can escape.

Yung: Huh? I'm not a thief, there must be a mistake! I was hiding from people who might be trying to kidnap me.

The Postman: Well, good luck with that story. It's not my problem, and my system just alerted the Watch House.

Yung: Why are you doing this? I'm innocent!

The Postman: I'm just doing a good deed. You can run away now, but good luck!

Whether I'm being pursued by a mysterious and dangerous syndicate or if I've inadvertently stolen something valuable, I'm completely in the dark about what's happening around me. The impolite postman, who seemed to be in a bad mood, dropped a shocking revelation: according to him, I'm now an official fugitive and the main topic of conversation in the local community. This has left me utterly confused and concerned about what exactly is going on with this intense cat and mouse chase that's suddenly become my life. To my knowledge, I haven't stolen anything unless I've developed a complex multi-personality disorder or an extreme case of sleep-walking, of which I'm currently unaware. This leads me to question the motives of those strangers. Were they trying to kidnap me for some unknown reason? Or perhaps the postman was trying to trick me as he seems to hold an inexplicable grudge against my generation. It's a confusing situation that I'm trying to understand.

The Strangers: "Hold it right there, Yung! We are not going to hurt you, we just want to talk."

Yung: …

They know my name. What do they want from me, and why me? I need to run as quickly as possible to the high street, which is right in front of this lane.

The lady in red: "Look, everyone, the thief!”

Shit, I see my face on multiple digital screens from the past, with a substantial reward offered for my sightings, akin to a bounty. Shoppers begin to cluster around me after an elegantly dressed lady catches their attention. Their stares echo the intensity of zombies from The Army of Dead, creating an intimidating and frightening environment. They circled me, slowly forming a human cage. I feel trapped, like a bewildered ant, unsure of how this public spectacle started. Then, the strangers emerge.

The Strangers: Calm down everyone, the Watch House is here. Please get back to your daily routine.

They are from the Watch House, and they have been trying to arrest me. I don't know what I've done. Are they trying to make me a scapegoat?

Yung: I've done nothing wrong; this is a huge mistake!

The Watchers: It seems you did, and you ignored us.

Yung: You asked me to come with you out of the blue. Any normal person would ignore this and run for their life.

The Watchers: Well, we didn’t finish our sentence, and you fled.

Yung: So tell me, what have I done?

The Watchers: You walked right out of the grocery store without paying, ignoring the people around you who were trying to hint at you.

Yung: What! My purchases are automatically billed to my account. It's common sense. If I hadn’t paid, my assistant, Wizzy, would have alerted me. But that didn't happen. So, I did nothing wrong.

The Watchers: Here's the thing, the store you entered this morning is a strictly human-operated shop. It is part of the latest state visionary “Re-Humanise” campaign.

Yung: I can go back and pay now. You guys can escort me there.

The Watchers: It doesn't work that way, and it's too late to rectify things now.

Yung: What the hell! I didn’t see any signs in the shop about the "Re-Humanise" campaign. There were no clear reminders, just price tags and marketing posters about health. My virtual layers were dialed down as they should be in interior spaces. There were no shopkeepers at the entrance, no nudging devices to remind us.

The Watchers: The campaign was promoted on the virtual layers, and there's a huge digital poster right in front of the shop. Your personal assistant should have reminded you. You may have missed it and acted mindlessly. However, we aren't the ones judging your actions. The system has decided you're a thief.

Yung: This is absurd. Am I going to jail and getting deported over this trivial matter? Over accidentally not paying for a bottle of water on a day of extreme climate? This country can do better than this.

The Watchers: Trust us, it's just a moral rehabilitation and observation process. And it's not a trivial matter. You broke the trust code. This country operates based on communal trust, which is why shops aren't equipped with stringent security measures like theft alarms. Trust is a way of life here, and crime should be a thing of the past. The system only recognizes behavior deemed "trustworthy." It doesn't show mercy for mindless behavior.

Yung: What about getting my own lawyer!

The Watchers: No point, trust us. If you complicate this, you might lose your job and your chance to be naturalized here due to prolonged verdict time. Just go with the process we suggested.

[Today]

Keegan: Oh dude, we were all bullied by machines.

Jin: Sounds about right, and it's pretty dark, to be fair.

It seems that both of them are as innocent as I am, and our situation is no laughing matter. It feels like we're being punished for being too human. Did I make the right choice to give up everything back home and move to this country?

Callum: Hi Everyone, I am Callum.

Keegan: Come sit with us and tell us your story.

Callum: Well, it's an embarrassing one.

Keegan: Nothing surprises us anymore!

Another victim? Perhaps.