Back to top 23nd November 2005

"I see", said Cogil, "So how exactly does this whole city work anyway? I assume someone must grow the crops while some do not?"

"Yes, of course. We all take turns growing the crops. None of us own land or anything else, and all of us at the same time may use anything anyone else creates or tries to create. It's a very community-based sort of community all, of course, made possible through the magic that is Towz."

"Ok I think I see that. So do you know how far this magic goes? Does it affect a person's very individuality or nature? For instance do some citizens excel at some areas and prefer to specialize and then trade the good they are especially talented at making to others who have no interest in trying to make the goods for themselves?" Cogil felt like he need to more fully understand the nature of this magic or power or whatever it was before he could more fully understand the threat any attempt at a manipulation could pose.

"I have never thought about it like that. It's more like a subtle inner driving force the compels citizens to do particular jobs. And, now that I think about it, the quality seems to vary very little for year to year as the assignments are re-assigned to other people. It's like certain citizens, without realizing or even being conscious of it, just pick up the equipment necessary for working the fields, or fixing the wagons or tending the horses or whatever and just start doing it. Without your concept of currency of course." Explained Itep.

"And what of the source of this magic or power? Have you never wondered what the driving mechanism behind it actually is? Whether it could be manipulated or used against someone else?" Cogil asked.

"Oh no, we have never wondered nor shall we ever. We only wonder what is necessary. Oh but we do have some individuality, freedom of movement and freedom to decide where we go and who we consort with." Itep seemed surer of this than anything.

Cogil started to wonder if he understood this city a bit more. There was no currency or trade because there was no private property. There was no private property because or ownership because some how the power simply compelled citizens to operate in the best interest of the entire city instead of for themselves. Essentially it was true: the power had some how manipulated the citizens of Towz into different beings altogether. Beings who did indeed work for free and for everyone else, had no interest bettering or improving themselves in other ways. And yet some how the citizens were so happy with this situation the smile had become simply obsolete. What power was over these people the term magic was certainly the most accurate he could think of.

"As for the manipulation question", Itep continued, "since there does not appear to be a static source of this magic as you call it one would be hard pressed to figure out a way of using that way. And, besides that, we have been happy with the way the city has existed and have never felt the need to contemplate such philosophical questions." Itep said.

"I think we will head back to our quarters for now. I am glad you have had your summer festival, and thank you for indulging us in some questions." Cogil said.

"Oh think nothing of it Cogil. Don't forget", Itep said as the four of them walked away, "once you're a Towzian, you're always a Towzian."

Cogil was too busy thinking about other things for this statement to really leave the impression it should have on him. Instead he was thinking about what he had been told. What in the world could compel a population to continue such an existence for an extended period of time? The concept started to boggle the mind.

Vincent, Cogil, Ryan and Jerome walked along the street. The four them had discussed briefly braving the hatchway again but had decided against it. Instead the four of them would go back to the quarters and think of what else could be found out in the morning.

The four of them walked along at a relaxed pace. In addition to the city retaining its' pedestrian friendly ora, the temperature always seemed quite nice and seemed to invite much more of a relaxed atmosphere about it.

Within blocks of the designated quarters a mysterious figure walked out from some shadows. He looked to another Towzian citizen but he was dressed much differently than all the rest. He seemed to wearing a hat and had manipulated the collar of this shirt to as if to hide his face. The reason for this didn't appear obvious as there was no one else out and it would doubtful anyone would care even if there were.

"So, interested in how Towz really works are you? Come with me, I can tell you much more than these average drone-izens." the figure said.

"Woe, who are you? What's with the outfit?" Cogil asked.

"Your questions will be answered soon enough. But you must come with me!" The figure said again.

With a look, Vincent, Cogil, Ryan and Jerome decided it was worth seeing what this figure had to say. After all, this was Towz and as far as any of them could see there were no dangers at all in this city.

Vincent, Cogil, Ryan and Jerome all followed the figure down an alley then through a back door of a building. Around some corners featuring festive summer festival decorations and finally to a flight of stairs going down.

As Vincent, Cogil, Ryan and Jerome descended down the stair way Cogil thought, again, how this would be a stupid plot device used in a novel. However he decided not to mention this as it could upset Ryan and he just assume continue this stretch of the adventure in silence.

"So what's with all the question Cogil? I thought I was question guy and you were answer guy." He said.

"Oh ya, see, that was before we were frozen. I'm taking over as question guy now." Cogil answered.

"And when did that happen exactly?" Vincent asked.

"Damn, you people are boring. Come up with something interesting or shut up!" Ryan finally interjected.

"Ok, we've arrived." The figure was saying, "you have shown yourselves to be very free thinkers, but really have no idea what's really going on. Don't believe anything any of those citizens tell you." The figure nearly spat with contempt when he muttered the word citizens.  ¶ 9:39 AM