The Circle

After the party, Mae is back at her cramped apartment, lying on the futon. She finally falls asleep for a few hours before going back to work.

Mae is alone in her wing of the Renaissance, but Renata ensures her that soon, the other workspaces will be filled. Various Circlers come by to help Mae get set up for work. Annie comes to Mae’s desk, and Mae expresses how grateful she is to Annie for providing the opportunity to work for The Circle.

Mae then meets her team leader, Dan, who explains to her that while The Circle is a workplace, “it should also be a human place” (47). He emphasizes how important community is to The Circle and that it’s crucial that Circlers actively participate in each other’s lives. He discusses how Customer Experience (CE) is the foundation for all that happens at The Circle.

Dan passes off Mae to Jared, who trains her in CE. Jared explains to her that customers who call should never feel like they are “dealing with a faceless entity, so you should always be sure to inject humanity into the process” (49). After providing demonstrations, he turns over the reins to Mae, who promptly scores a perfect 100 on her first query. At the end of her first day, Mae’s cumulative score is 98, which is the highest ever for a new CE worker. By the end of the week, her score is 97, prompting compliments from thousands of Circlers.

Mae has lunch with Annie and two other Circlers. Through their conversation, she learns that Francis grew up in foster homes and that his two sisters were raped and murdered, which is why he is creating a program that will eliminate the possibility of child abductions.

Mae and Annie go to the Great Hall to watch Bailey’s weekly presentation, called “Dream Friday.” He introduces a new technology called SeeChange. Through SeeChange, participants from around the globe plant small cameras in public spaces, and the high-definition footage is available anywhere with a web connection. At first, Bailey frames the cameras as a way to view surf conditions, but he goes on to explain their implications in the realms of crime and politics. The idea is that when people know they are being watched, they will not behave maliciously. Bailey claims that SeeChange could be greatly beneficial to human rights. The audience of Circlers responds raucously, expressing their overwhelming approval. To ensure accountability, Bailey claims, “All that happens must be known” (68).

Mae visits her parents for the weekend. The author provides background regarding her childhood. She is an only child, and her parents owned and operated a parking lot, which she found embarrassing. Throughout her youth, her parents were well-meaning although not always conscious of her needs. During their visit, they stay at a cheap bed and breakfast and spend the weekend celebrating Mae’s first week at The Circle. At dinner, Mae assures them that she loves her new job.

Mae’s father has from multiple sclerosis (MS). He was diagnosed two years earlier and is now dealing with fatigue and a loss of full control over his body. Mae’s parents are in a constant battle with their insurance company to get treatments covered. Her mom mentions that she recently saw Mae’s ex-boyfriend, Mercer. Her parents are both very fond of Mercer and praise his current business, where he crafts chandeliers made of antlers. Mae’s parents give her a gift. It is a small box, and Mae suspects it will be jewelry. However, it’s a pen. Her mother takes the gift seriously, but her father seems to find humor in it. Mae enjoys her father’s laughter, which is no longer abundant due to his MS symptoms.

The following morning, Mae decides to go kayaking. She rents a kayak from a woman named Marion and heads out into open water. A harbor seal appears, and their eyes become “locked in mutual regard, and the moment, the way it stretched and luxuriated in itself, asked for continuation” (81). She arrives at a faraway shore and sits on the beach. Thinking about her father’s health, she begins to sob because she feels helpless. It feels good to cry. Eventually, she paddles back and returns to her apartment.