Chapter 81: 81

The gala is taking place at a government building that looks like it's been plucked from a bygone era, one when shelter was built with sore muscles and sweat and bent backs, inch by inch, brick by brick. An old story told many times over the centuries, before this era of so-called post-scarcity, when everything was supposed to be abundant, and it is, but not for everyone. And then, when you walk in, you can see there is another story plastered on top of that one, decoration and opulence, expensive fabrics, gold and ivory and a deluge of light, the old kind, yellow and non-eco, indifferent to the strictures imposed on anything and anyone outside this pocket of privilege and luxury.