“Well everyone,” she said, “it’s finally time to announce what you’ve all been waiting for! It’s almost time for our field trip to the Factory.”

The students listened silently as she spoke. 

“Now, I must warn you that YOU MUST NOT REPEAT THE INFORMATION YOU SEE! The Factory’s work is top secret. You have all proven yourselves worthy of bearing this information. If you repeat it, you will be out of this school for good!”

One week later the children of the group left the school with pack-sacks over their shoulders. Miles had told his mother that he would be going and she volunteered to meet them and give the tour. Everyone got into a cart with robotic horses. They went to town hall and stopped in front of a small building next to it. Standing outside it was Mrs. Kombi, smiling pleasantly. After giving them a minute to clamber out of the cart she spoke to them. 

“Hello. My name is Mrs. Kombi. I will be giving you the tour of the Factory. I’m sure your teacher has reminded you that you cannot repeat the information you gain. Now, when we take the light speed ride to the Ecuador, I must ask you not to lean forward and to stay firmly planted in your seat. Now, off we go!”

Mrs. Kombi stepped into a small, metal chamber. Miles remembered that when she did this her body was scanned, as well as her retina, head size, foot size and she had to put in a code. When she came out everyone filed into the building. They took seats in a large pod and buckled themselves in. Miles barely had time to grin at his friend, José, before a jerk in stomach told him they were off. Ten minutes later they were blinking in the sunlight and sweating in the heat of Ecuador.

Miles was delighted with the Factory. He learned so much, he hardly dared to believe it. He learned about all the things that were going to be released in the year 2000. It was a great disappointment when it was time to leave. Miles said goodbye to his mother and one break-neck journey later he was back at town hall. Everyone was discussing the trip among themselves. When they entered the school, the teacher silenced them.

For the next few weeks, Miles was still thinking about the trip. He wanted to go again. He wouldn't be able to next year either because he was leaving for secondary school. One night in bed, a brilliant idea came to him. He could change the school schedule (he was a genius on the computer) to say that it was a field trip to the Factory for his class. However, after more thought, he realized that this would be too obvious for Miss Admen would have known. Finally, Miles came up with the idea to put in a “Take your child to work” month. Mrs Kombi, of course, worked in the factory and would take him.

“Attention students; this is a reminder that “Take your child to work” month is next month so don’t forget to tell your parents.”

The PA bleeped off. There was a murmur of interest. Miss Admen looked at the PA. 

“Well, kids, I guess next month is take your child to work month. I did have a project planned for next month, but oh well.”

Miles sniggered behind his hand. He had snuck into the school last night and changed the schedule. 

José turned around in his seat and whispered, “So, what’d you do?”

Miles explained all about his plan.

“Why do you want to go back there?” asked José. “I thought it was boring. I mean, projects are one thing, but factories?"

“I don't know,” replied Miles. “I guess I just want to learn more.” 

Mrs. Kombi wasn’t happy when Miles told her about “Take Your Child To Work” month, but since Miles had already been to the factory, she agreed.

On the First of February, they got into a cart and rode to the small building at town hall. Miles enjoyed his third light speed trip; but he enjoyed the factory more. He was there every day for the month. When he emerged, he knew more things then he had ever known before. His mother had shown him the control room, each of the units, it went on. As his mother said, he knew the factory better then some of the workers.

One day, Miles was walking around on his own after his mother had been called into an office. He happened to stumble on a room. It was a very strange room, with markings all around the walls. He had never seen anything like it before. Suddenly, it hit him. These markings looked like Egyptian hieroglyphics. But they weren’t exactly the same. It looked like a mixture of Egyptian and, was that Greek? Miles had studied both languages in school and got top marks, too. He started to translate it.  After a while he decided that a rough translation of one set was: “Today we work, tomorrow we rest, for all our work is done.”

“Mom! Mom!” cried Miles running from the room.

“Miles, what is it?” asked his mother.

“What is that room with all the markings around the walls?”

“What room?”

“The one with all the markings!”

“I’ve never seen a room like that! What are you talking about?” she asked. “I think you must have dozed off waiting for me.”

“No, Mom, really!” he said. Then he said, “Maybe I did doze off. Sorry Mom”

“That’s ok, honey,” she said, hugging him to her side.