Don't say a Word.

"You do know why you're here."

She paused and considered the question carefully. Words had meaning now.

She corrected that thought. They always had meaning, but now misuse of their meaning could bring severe consequences.

It had been her choice to live here. Every citizen abiding within this territory had chosen this way of life. The old world was still alive and well beyond their borders, represented by quick talkers, shmoozers, easy fixes, and bullshit. Her new fellow citizens had sought to be free from that by making focusing on actions over words.

They had individually and collectively tip-toed onto a new trail, but the old worn-out paths often had a way of resurfacing.

Having slipped on that slope earlier today, she would now have to pay for her display of reckless speech.

The payment was severe. The outside world had accused them of being barbaric, but what other sovereign country had accomplished so much progress in so short a time?

Here, rules were to be maintained and yes – they came with a cost. What good thing didn't? Change required sacrifice.

Despite the outside world's harsh criticisms, she understood the necessity. This society wasn't cruel. They were simply fixated on a certain principle and willingly surrendered their speech in order to protect the integrity of their way of life. Verbal communication most certainly could be used carefully, but one's intentions had better match identically, or else.

“Has there been a death?”

“No.”

“A physical illness?”

She paused, thinking for 5 breaths. “No.”

The sound of the pencil scratched across the notepad as the Interrogator recorded the pause. Adjusting the question, he continued. “You hesitated. Has there been an illness of a different sort? Emotional instability?”

“Yes, but I don't believe that's a valid excuse.”

He waited for her to continue, observing her intensely. After it was clear she would add no more to her response, he nodded slightly and probed further.

“Do you still want to be here?”

“Yes.” No hesitation.

“Do you continue to willingly surrender the preference of speech in deference to the action?”

She waited again, longer this time. She knew that she would be allowed hours, even weeks to give an answer. Patience and words were given the highest respect here. It was more important to take the time. Actions could be misinterpreted, but they rarely were. Words, however, wasted time and energy. They were often false and used to manipulate the hearer into believing what the speaker wanted them to think.

It wasn't always intentional. Often, people were their own worst enemy when it came to lying to themselves. By putting such a heavy responsibility on deeds and a severe cost on dishonest words, members of her society simply evolved into a silent society.

Instead of saying "good morning", people greeted one another with smiles and handshakes. Rather than offering to carry grocery bags to the car, baggers simply evaluated the situation and responded with appropriate action. No one asked “How are you?” as it quickly became seen as the most surefire way for the responder to end up at a Dissonance Mediation.

Emotions were not regulated here. On the contrary, they were encouraged, but they were encouraged to be honest displays instead of false masks.

When pain was expressed, it gave the community the opportunity to respond. Hugs, charity, smiles, gifts, random acts of kindness – these were all options to respond to those in pain, but “wordy well wishes” were never, ever given.

Of course, she preferred this.

She would continue to choose this.

Making her decision, she reached across the table for the sharpened blade. There was no need for a final response to the Interrogator's question. Her act would be the more appropriate end to the meeting.