There is literally no one I don't hate right now.

[notplaying]

Toby was in the council office. He had the door propped open with stack of his least favorite books, and numerous stacks of paper neatly set out in equal intervals around the table with chairs in front of each. He was at what he counted as being the fifth one. The order was: Council Parameters, Grievances of Property, Grievances of Person,

Comments

[dogbitesman]

"I do like an open door," William said, stepping carefully around the books propping it open and peering at the piles of paper on the desk. "Good morning, councillor."

[notplaying]

"Laws that aren't in response to something that's happened, and laws that don't serve as countermeasures to behavior or crime," Toby said. "How did the government operate where you come from?"

[dogbitesman]

"That's ... complicated," William said. "Naturally. The city-state was run - well, 'run' isn't the right word, but I think you follow - by a Patrician. Actually, run is the right word but I used it wrong, now that I think about it. Officially he's the absolute ruler, but he doesn't rule so much as he ensures everything runs. Well. He ensures everyone else ensures everything runs. The guilds manage their own affairs, and they're too busy arguing with the other guilds to cause any actual trouble, and everyone answers to Vetinari so it's generally thought best to make sure he doesn't have to ask you any questions."

William ran a hand through his hair. "That's the abbreviated version. And like most abbreviated versions, it's probably almost wholly inaccurate."

[notplaying]

Toby listened with interest.

"A patrician. Interesting. But it sounds as though he's one of those rare despots who happen to be genuinely intelligent, not just cunning, and are dedicated to the reality of their city instead of the dream." He sighed and kicked back a little. "Not bad. I mean, even if it grates against all of my basest instincts, not bad. What are the guilds?"

[dogbitesman]

"Yes, he is. So, naturally, people keep trying to depose him." He shook his head, then answered, "Guilds are sort of like ... trade unions, I think the parallel is," William said. "Collective organisations of all practitioners of a particular profession, run by members of that profession. And therefore responsible for making sure nothing goes wrong with it. Bakers, Butchers, Carters and Drovers, Engravers and Printers, Thieves, Assassins, Beggars, Seamstresses ... I think there are over 300, all told. Of various sizes and political relevance, of course."

[notplaying]

"Of course," Toby said, wondering slightly at Seamstresses. "There used to be guilds, they turned into unions. Of varying degrees of effectiveness."