Prodigy
Chapter 3: June 2
by Lu, MarieThe narrator expresses deep distrust toward Razor, a Patriot leader, due to his inexplicable wealth and luxurious living conditions in Vegas. Razor’s officer-like quarters, expensive furnishings, and customized, hacked gun suggest he either holds a high-ranking Republic position or receives funding from a powerful entity like the Colonies. Despite these suspicions, the narrator acknowledges that Razor’s offer to help them reach the Colonies and find Eden is their only viable option, especially given Day’s deteriorating health. The chapter highlights the narrator’s internal conflict as they reluctantly agree to Razor’s demand—assassinating the new Elector, Anden—despite their mixed feelings about the act.
Razor accepts their agreement without acknowledging the narrator’s hesitation and arranges for a Medic to treat Day’s severe leg wound. He instructs Kaede to provide fresh uniforms and showers for the pair, welcoming them into the Patriots. The narrator is struck by the opulence of Razor’s apartment, which surpasses even their former Ruby sector home. Kaede’s cold demeanor hints at lingering resentment, likely over a past altercation. The narrator and Day are left to clean up, with Day struggling to move due to his injury, forcing the narrator to assist him despite his initial embarrassment.
As the narrator tends to Day’s wound, their shared discomfort and unspoken tension underscore the gravity of their situation. Day questions the necessity of joining the Patriots, but the narrator reiterates their lack of alternatives. The conversation shifts to the morality of assassinating Anden, with the narrator deflecting Day’s probing questions about their true feelings. Day’s aversion to violence contrasts with the ruthless demands of their new alliance, leaving both characters grappling with the ethical implications of their decision.
The chapter closes with the narrator and Day preparing for a bath, their interactions marked by awkwardness and unspoken emotions. Day’s vulnerability and the narrator’s guilt over Tess’s separation add layers to their relationship. The narrator’s introspection—questioning their own morality—reflects the moral ambiguity of their choices. The chapter sets the stage for their fraught alliance with the Patriots, blending tension, distrust, and reluctant cooperation as they navigate a dangerous path forward.
FAQs
1. What are June’s two theories about Razor’s apparent wealth, and what do they reveal about her character?
Answer:
June theorizes that Razor is either a high-ranking Republic officer working as a double agent or that the Patriots are being funded by a wealthy entity like the Colonies. These theories demonstrate June’s analytical mindset and inherent distrust, shaped by her military training and experiences. Her attention to details like Razor’s expensive quarters (29,000-Note rugs, customized weapons) and her skepticism about the Patriots’ resources highlight her strategic thinking and survival instincts. However, her willingness to cooperate despite these suspicions also shows her pragmatism, as she prioritizes Day’s survival over her misgivings.2. How does the chapter portray the moral conflict June faces regarding the assassination mission?
Answer:
June’s internal struggle is evident when she agrees to assassinate Elector Anden despite feeling conflicted. While she believes she should want revenge against the Republic’s leadership (given her family’s fate), she feels unsettled, recalling Anden’s demeanor at the ball. This dissonance reveals her developing moral complexity—she is no longer a purely loyal soldier nor a vengeful rebel. The chapter emphasizes this through her “foreign and distant” tone and physical reaction (her churning stomach), suggesting her values are in flux as she navigates loyalty, survival, and personal ethics.3. Analyze the significance of the setting (Razor’s luxurious apartment) in establishing the Patriots’ power dynamics.
Answer:
The opulence of Razor’s apartment—marble tiles, electric lights, and hacked weapons—serves as a symbol of the Patriots’ ambiguous authority. Its Republic-officer-level luxury implies either infiltration of the military (supporting June’s first theory) or external backing (like the Colonies). The contrast between this wealth and the protagonists’ desperation (Day’s severe injury, their lack of options) underscores the Patriots’ control over their recruits. The setting also heightens tension, as June questions how such extravagance aligns with the Patriots’ supposed revolutionary ideals, hinting at potential corruption or hidden agendas.4. How does the interaction between June and Day in the bathroom scene reveal their evolving relationship?
Answer:
Their vulnerability in this scene marks a shift in their dynamic. Day’s admission that he needs help (blushing as he asks) contrasts with his usual self-reliance, showing trust in June. Her practical yet gentle care—cutting his bandages, filling the tub—reveals her protectiveness, though both avoid eye contact, signaling lingering awkwardness. The mention of Tess introduces guilt for June, suggesting emotional complexity. Their banter (“I’ll just wait outside…”) lightens the tension but underscores their interdependence, as June acknowledges their lack of choices, binding them closer to the Patriots—and each other.5. Why might the author include Kaede’s brief but charged interaction with June and Day?
Answer:
Kaede’s sarcastic remark (“shower together”) and insincere grin serve multiple purposes: they reinforce lingering hostility (from June breaking her arm), add tension to the protagonists’ precarious situation, and contrast with Razor’s polished hospitality. Her hurried exit and lack of genuine warmth hint at the Patriots’ fractured trust, suggesting June and Day are surrounded by unreliable allies. This moment also breaks the gravity of the assassination discussion, grounding the narrative in interpersonal friction, which may foreshadow future betrayals or conflicts within the group.
Quotes
1. “I DON’T TRUST RAZOR. I don’t trust him because I don’t understand how he can afford to hide out in such nice quarters.”
This opening line sets the tone for the protagonist’s deep suspicion of Razor, highlighting the stark contrast between the Patriots’ supposed underground status and their inexplicable wealth. It introduces a central mystery about the Patriots’ true allegiances and funding.
2. “At this point, I think his life depends on our deal with Razor.”
This quote marks a critical turning point where the protagonist acknowledges their desperate situation—Day’s deteriorating health leaves them no choice but to accept Razor’s dangerous offer, despite their misgivings. It underscores the theme of sacrifice for survival.
3. “‘Assassinating the new Elector,’ I say. ‘Done.’ My words sound foreign and distant.”
The protagonist’s uneasy agreement to assassinate Anden reveals their moral conflict. This moment captures the tension between their personal ethics and the brutal realities of their circumstances, foreshadowing potential internal struggles.
4. “Am I good? I don’t really know.”
This introspective question reflects the protagonist’s growing self-doubt and moral ambiguity. It encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of identity and morality in a world where survival often requires compromising one’s values.
5. “‘You don’t have to join the Patriots.’ […] ‘Well, we don’t have much of a choice, do we?’”
This exchange between the protagonists underscores their trapped position—while Day clings to idealism, the protagonist pragmatically acknowledges their lack of alternatives. It highlights the recurring theme of constrained agency in their dystopian world.