A single rap on the door caused everyone’s head to swivel toward it. No one had ever knocked on it before. Either one had the authority to just enter or you stood outside the door until it opened.

The silver knob turned slowly until it gave a final click and the door swung open revealing the newly appointed Minister of Technology. He was tall with broad shoulders, dressed in a black suit with the red ribbon of his office. His face was square and the thin wire-framed glasses didn’t help. It was as if he were made up of a series of rectangles.

Already quiet, silence seemed to suck the remaining noise out of the room as the Minister of Technology stepped across the threshold and into the classroom. Behind him trailed a disheveled teenager sporting a black eye and split lip, who rubbed at his wrists and looked around wildly.

Miss Lira started to stand but the Minister motioned for her to sit back down. She did so, unhappily folding her hands atop her desk and sitting up as straight and attentive as she could.