“Andrew!” Richard cried again, as if he couldn’t believe it. “Hold on, I’ll get you down from there.”

“Yeah, would you?” Andrew said impatiently, but he was smiling. Richard paused and looked him in the eye, then sighed and began unsnapping the metal restraints from Andrew’s limbs.

“So, uh, what are you guys doing here?” asked Gordon.

“I could ask you the same question,” Kellie tossed back.

Kushal had felt bewildered for the last…well, the last few chapters, to be sure. “There’s no time for this,” he put in, trying to steer the conversation in a useful direction. “They could…

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I just thought of this, randomly. A scene from The Lion King, but redone with a rich feudal lord and his son, looking out over their dominion.

MUFASA: Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance, from the crawling peasant to the noble knight.
SIMBA: But, Dad, don’t we tax the peasants?
MUFASA: Yes, Simba. But let me explain. When we, you know, go, our poop becomes the wheat, and the peasants eat the wheat, and so we are all connected in the great circle of life.

…

OK, sorry, just had to share that with everyone…

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“And because of that, my opponent’s plan to erect solar panels across the county is inherently flawed, and thus I urge you to join me in opposing the resolution. Thank you.”

Edward slumped back in his chair, drained. Beside him Elaine’s hair was stuck to her forehead by beads of sweat, and she looked quite glum.

“I think that one goes to Daniel,” Jin said regretfully.

“What a surprise,” Elaine muttered. She heaved a great sigh.

“It’s not that you’re doing badly,” Daniel said, dropping his Speaking Voice for a more helpful-but-slightly-condescending tone.

“No,” Edward replied sarcastically, “We’re doing just…

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