(Untitled)

[therewasaman]

Patrick opened the meeting with a warm greeting and a smile. He had notes but he didn't need them. He'd given this speech a thousand times before. He gave an overview of the natural cycle, of how the earth is a living organism and the ecosystems need to be in balance. He talked about progress and how man was the only creature that changed the

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[dogbitesman]

No industrial revolution had taken place in Ankh-Morpork at the time William had ended up on the island, but he had a certain idea about what one would look like.

He looked around and noted a distinct lack of giant smokestacks belching coal dust into the air.

"Industrializing the land for what?" he asked, to no one in particular.

[therewasaman]

"Industry comes in many forms. It's not like we'll have a nuclear power plant, but when you move from subsistence to production...like with that forge, or the building crew that puts up huts when there are empty ones to be had, you risk disturbing the balance of a utopian, agrarian based life," Patrick said from behind him.

[dogbitesman]

Just the man William had been after. And to think, he'd been worried about having to run a front page full of nothing but stories about the rain.

"Utopian. That is an interesting choice of word, Mr... Logan, is it?" he asked. "No w, one n? William de Worde, Tabula Rasa Times. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions, for the paper?"

He didn't always ask that. Usually he just let people talk, but sometimes it paid to do the formalities.

[therewasaman]

"That's how you spell it," he nodded. "I don't mind a bit. It's good to get the message out. What would you like to know?"

[dogbitesman]

"Generally speaking, everything, Mr Logan," William said, entirely frankly. "But let's start with what made you decide to hold this gathering."

[therewasaman]

"It's what I did back home so it's easy for me to see where the people here ignore their role in the ecosystem," he replied. "There might not be a planet to save, but I still see where people rely on the magic of this place and don't take personal responsibility."

[dogbitesman]

"Where is that, then?" William said. "The huts, you mentioned. Something about garbage, too."