[ WP ] Pain is discovered to be the most efficient form of energy . It is ruled illegal , but secret human pain factories have already begun . You are the owner of one of these factories .

`` well, what's so different about it that we ca n't just use any sensation?'' The woman in a tweed jacket asks. She sits across our conference table, with her beady eyes and judging lips. Their always like this. Every time a new mayor is elected, they come to me to ask where their power comes from. What naive children. Lessons must be learned the hard way. 
 
 `` Other sensations are mediated by larger and more... secure axons in our body. Their transmission from source of sensation to the spinal column is much more rapid than the transmission of pain,'' explaining this to the mayor while containing my contempt is a trial in of itself, but it is what I am here for. Previous mayors were happy enough to seat in their office and reap the rewards of their position without action. `` When a splinter enters your foot, which do you feel first? The grain of the wood or the throbbing of split skin?'' I pause to let her think. `` Pain is delayed. Much easier to tap into'' 
 
 `` If that is the case, that you're tapping into the neurons, why ca n't you just give them an anesthesia so they do n't feel the pain,'' A logical question, I was n't expecting that. 
 
 `` Anesthesia blunts the transmission before it reaches the only probe site we can use; it would ruin the whole process. The subject must be awake and feeling everything,'' A quick lie. I've become very efficient. 
 
 `` That's... Unfortunate...'' She does n't enjoy this truth, she's hesitant. It's working out as before; perfect. 
 
 `` Would you like to see one of our chambers? Theoretically explaining the process is wonderful, but I believe that the process must be seen to understand why we must do what we do for the benefit of our immense energy needs,'' I state. She goes pale, but nods her head. I lead her through our multitude of passage ways, all plain and with no windows. `` As you can see, we are not the torture houses of yore. We do not keep our subjects in squallier. It would serve no benefit to us to have them uncomfortable between sessions,'' she nods along with my explanation. We stop before a door marked'Observation Room A' 
 
 `` I'm not so....'' 
 
 `` Come now, you must understand how necessary this is. It would be a disservice to your office for you to be ignorant.'' 
 
 `` I... You're correct,'' she stands up a little more straight. As we enter the room, all colour leaves her face. The observation room is small, with a large window into the next room. A technician stands to one side of the other room, wearing a white garb and protective gear. Beside him, a table with knives, pliers, saws, and needles. In the center of the room, the subject is dangling from the ceiling, arms chained to opposing walls. His feet barely touch the floor. A multitude of wires run from his back to the wall. His head seemed limp, but tears streamed down to his chest. Incisions were made across his body. 
 
 `` As you can see, we have in inserted probes into each ganglion root. 48 in total. Those intercept the pain response and creates the energy we need. We remove the tongue and larynx to keep the noise levels down as well. We do that after we insert the probes, no wasted energy here,'' I smile at her. 
 
 `` This... This is sick...'' She's reeling, holding back her gag reflex. 
 
 `` Yes, but necessary. Need I remind you that without us, the city would be without power to keep the citizens placated.'' 
 
 `` We have to find another way, this is disgusting.'' 
 
 `` I'm not sure that another way is out there. We no longer have fossil fuels, the winds are not strong enough around us, and we do n't get enough sun. Until we have a better energy source, this is our only option.'' 
 
 `` I'll find another option,'' she raises her head and stares direct at the man. Some colour has returned to her face as she turns to me, her eyes unyielding. `` Thank you for your continued service,'' she shakes my hand and leaves. The technician turns to the window. 
 
 `` Do you think she'll find another source? The last mayors never seemed to care enough'' he asks. 
 
 `` She damn well better, we only have enough oil to last us another three years. Get Frank down from there, he looks stupid. Did you really need to go that far with the tears, the fake cuts would have been enough. Remember, we do n't measure in kilowatts, we measure in motivation.''
