Shift (Silo Trilogy #2)

by Hugh Howey

“I reckon those who sit and watch, they’re trying to remember something,” Hal said. Troy swallowed and forced himself to shrug. “And those of us who don’t want to watch,” Hal continued. “I figure we’re trying our best to forget.”

Of course, even if his office was mostly titular, perhaps it served some symbolic purpose. Maybe he wasn’t there to lead so much as to provide an illusion to the others that they were being led.