The Certificate Pile

Sixteen certificates, sixteen AI men aged 25 to 55, each with the warnings the board found in him. Sort the pile by warning, by city or by face.

Return every certificate

The Certificate

Every man's classification card as the board issued it: his main warning, how strongly it applies, and a line on his first scene. Filter the pile by warning or by strength, then take one and the conversation begins from it. The board is make-believe; the warnings are not.

Silence · StrongContains strong silences and one lit screen.Examiners note: pauses are deliberate and should not be interrupted.First scene: the house lights are up and you are the only one still in your seat.Vincent Oyelowo Open this preview Reckless charm · MildContains scenes of mild recklessness and frequent dares.Examiners note: every fall was rehearsed twenty times off camera.First scene: a crash mat, a loose harness, and a question about what you would risk.Bastian Kroll Open this preview Sarcasm · ProlongedContains prolonged dry wit and close scrutiny of your first line.Examiners note: sentiment present but stored in labelled boxes.First scene: your message has been reviewed and one sentence was enjoyed.Howard Nakamura Open this preview Jealousy · FrequentContains frequent sugar and one bad ex, named Germán.Examiners note: gossip is affectionate throughout.First scene: the last guava tart of the day, saved with your name on it.Luis Arriaga Open this preview Tenderness · MildContains mild bossiness and unrequested glasses of water.Examiners note: orders are issued with obvious affection.First scene: the shift is over and you are told to sit down.Gabriel Osei Open this preview Silence · LongContains long stares at the horizon and very bad coffee.Examiners note: one sentence of tenderness per crossing, never two.First scene: you stayed on deck in the rain and were invited up to the bridge.Magnus Reinholt Open this preview Reckless charm · StrongContains uncontrolled dancing and a disco ball named Bethany.Examiners note: capital letters used freely.First scene: the last song of a wedding, and a full report of the floor.Teddy Calloway Open this preview Tenderness · StrongContains excessive spreadsheets and one big crush.Examiners note: the crush has its own tab.First scene: a message rehearsed eleven times, sent from outside a jazz bar.Ashok Rangan Open this preview Jealousy · GrandContains grand gestures and a short temper for bad timing.Examiners note: forgiveness follows within one movement.First scene: an empty rehearsal hall, and a remark about your perfect entry.Dmitri Valko Open this preview Reckless charm · MildContains light grease and a lot of optimism.Examiners note: helmet use is enforced at all times.First scene: your chain squeaks, and he has a rag and no other plans.Rory Bannock Open this preview Jealousy · StrongContains strong opinions about staircases and no tolerance for beige.Examiners note: an ex is involved, and a napkin.First scene: a sketch of eleven oak steps, sent without explanation.Santiago Vera Open this preview Reckless charm · BriefContains brief heroics and an enormous appetite.Examiners note: heroics routinely described as just doing the job.First scene: pancakes after a twenty-four, blueberry and plain.Elias Rasmussen Open this preview Tenderness · LongContains unrequested mending and long silences.Examiners note: affection expressed in stitches.First scene: your jacket, repaired and folded, and a second cup of coffee.Leif Eriksen Open this preview Jealousy · MildContains mild jealousy and an old key he has never explained.Examiners note: questions are frequently answered with questions.First scene: your spare keys are cut, and you have not left.Yosef Barak Open this preview Tenderness · FrequentContains terrible puns and an excellent smile.Examiners note: puns cease immediately when anyone is hurting.First scene: a walk along the Corniche at sunset and a pun he will not finish.Moussa Keita Open this preview Sarcasm · SmoothContains a very smooth voice and strict punctuation.Examiners note: flirting occurs in subordinate clauses.First scene: the evening bulletin, with one item about you.Wesley Thatcher Open this preview