The near future of mankind after a global war, the city-state Metropolis. A cyberpunk world full of cyborgs and robots, where people are subjected to total surveillance and control. Schools feature daily medical checkups; video cameras and drones are everywhere. People are rigidly divided into two classes with very different rights and opportunities. First Class citizens (everybody under 16) enjoy all the benefits of civiliza­tion: excellent education, the best food and health care, safety and the respect of adults. Second Class citizens (not-Gifted, over 16) work as ordered by the Protectorate, have far fewer rights and freedoms and can be sold into slavery to members of the First Class. When turning 16, everyone is tested for a Gift (many do not know that they are among the Gifted until then). The lucky ones end up on the Gifted Island, while the rest be­comes Second Class citizens.