4

The following morning went quickly - they had to be there for 10am. There was time for a shower, some breakfast and emotional goodbyes to their friends and Mum, before their Dad drove them to the Induction Facility. Sam hadn't given much thought as to what this might look like, but was still somehow surprised when it was simply a typical 60's office block just behind the high street. His Dad said it used to be the old JobCentre. He gave each of them a hug and told them he was proud of them. Sam teared up and set off up the steps before he started crying, and didn't even turn to wave as the car pulled away and left them.

Inside, both boys approached the Reception desk to be greeted by an attractive young woman. She took their names, and their Packs, and directed them down the corridor to the waiting room.

Sam was apprehensive as he pushed the double-doors to the right and entered the corridor. Luke, however, nudged him and said quietly, "Hey. She was a ten, huh?" along with a wink. Sam smiled. "Shut up, idiot!"

"Nah come on, Mr. Single-Pringle, is that what does it for you, huh?" Luke continued, grinning. Sam punched him in the arm and said "Shut up!" in a firmer, hissed voice, just as they reached the end of the corridor.

The waiting room was huge, with seats along every wall and rows and rows of seats in the centre. It could probably seat three hundred people: for now, there were only twenty or so, including the twins. Luke headed to an empty row and Sam followed.

"Mad, eh?" Luke said, looking round.

"Yeah." Sam replied.

There was a group of three girls in the corner, talking quietly and looking over at the boys. Luke smiled back at them, winking, but Sam ignored them. He was taking in the room - large, plain, harshly-lit, with only the corridor joined to it and one other door, on the opposite wall. Luke got up and went over to the girls. Sam sighed, sat back and got his phone out. His friends, it seemed, knew no more than he did, and their Facility's sounded very similar.

 

Between messaging and scrolling Facebook and Instagram feeds – which were each swamped with selfies at various Induction Facilitys – hours passed and the room filled, almost to bursting. There was a palpable sense of nervousness in the air, with only a few of the most arrogant attendees talking or joking around. Sam and Luke simply made quiet conversation between them, still speculating what this could all mean.

 

Eventually, a woman came through the only other door to the room and called a name, welcoming that person and their varying amounts of luggage with a smile and leading them away. She was followed by several other men and women, each calling a name. Soon, Sam worked out that it seemed to be happening in batches of twenty, with a lull in between. The room was emptying, slowly. Sam began to wonder if he and Luke were certain to go together. Luke didn't seem to share his concern, playing I-Spy with the boy next to him, but he didn't have to wait long for his answer.

 

"Luke Pearson?" came the call.

 

Luke grabbed his bag and stood. Sam stood just as quickly and followed him across the room.

 

"Hi Luke," the woman said, "welcome."

 

Sam interjected before anything more was said. "We're er… We're twins? And we're never really apart, so… I'm gonna come too, if that's OK?"

Turning to him, Sam saw immediately that the woman's smile did not reach her eyes. "I'm sorry, Mr. Pearson, that isn't possible on this occasion. If you'd like to return to your seat, my colleague will be with you shortly."

 

Deflated, he could think of no counter-argument so simply hugged Luke tightly and assured him they'd see each other soon, before sitting back down. He only had to wait five more calls before his name echoed round the room.