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Jonas put down the hairbrush and checked the part running down the middle of his hair. He typically did not worry much about his toiletries.  After all, no one in the power plant was that concerned with appearances, just results. Today was different, though. He was appearing before the Assignment Board to find out what his next assignment would be.

He rather expected that he would be sent away from Haggeston. Ever since the disaster that wiped away Clayville, the Assignment Board had been sending dynamos there to assist with the reconstruction. The thought really did not appeal to him. His sister and mother had only just barely escaped the flooding. With no where else to go, they had come to stay with him in the hustle and bustle of the capital of the Loop'd Empire. The small two room apartment was cramped with the three of them. But at least they were together for the first time since their father's...passing.

The part seemed fine to him. Jemima would tell him if it was unworthy. Sisters were always good for that. He straightened his cravat and coat. The suit was terribly out of fashion, but Jonas had always made sure that they were well-kept. It was the only tangible legacy that he had from his father. He preferred to ignore the overwhelming debt that had been the other, more substantial, part of his inheritance. If only I could wear bills as well as I wear this suit.

With his appearance in order, Jonas walked over to the metal bar that ran from floor to ceiling in the corner opposite from his bed. He placed his fingertips against the dull, stained metal. The energy stored within his body struggled to escape all at once. The small light bulb in the wall sconce flared brightly for a full half minute before resuming its normal luminescence. The expenditure left Jonas feeling spent despite its brevity. He sagged, only supported by the pole. He stayed there for several minutes until he felt capable of standing. I wish I'd never been born like this, he thought.

But fate was an impartial card dealer, and he would make do with what he had. So he stood up and picked up his hat. It was time to face his fate.

He walked out of the small bedroom into the small living room. Jemima was sitting at the table, with text books borrowed from one of his friends spread out before her. She was studying to be a signal girl. He smiled as he closed the door.

"How is the studying progressing?" he asked.

She looked up and rolled her eyes.

"These books are at least ten years old, Jonas. I'm afraid I shall miss any important recent rules."

"You're learning the code at least. That's an important first step," he said.

She leaned forward. "Test me."

He hesitated for a moment. "I really shouldn't, I don't want to be late to the meeting with the Assignment Board."

"Just a quick phrase," she said. "I just want to try."

He gave in and held his hands out in front of him so that the palms faced each other. A beam of electricity strobed between his hands, appearing and disappearing at different intervals. When he finished, Jemima read the letters she had scribbled in the margin of her book. She looked up at him, horrified, and threw the book at him. He laughed and caught the book easily.

"How dare you say such things about me?"

"In jest, my dear, in jest," he said, put on his hat, and then kissed her on the forehead. "I'll return in a while. Please let me in when I get back."

"Good luck with that," she said as he closed the door.

#

Fortunately for Jonas, he was not late to the meeting. But the Assignment Board itself was not as prompt as he. Jonas sat in the dynamo waiting room for several hours, watching his fellow human power plants as they waited for their own turns. Some dozed, others caught up with old friends. Few read, lacking the education to do so. One old lady was rather ingenious; she held her hands in front of her and caused tiny bolts of lighting zigzag from one finger to the other,