【明報專訊】Having sneaked into the factory at the city centre, Shelley finds the townspeople work like slaves in it. They have no freedom, nor do they seem to feel hard done by (受到不公平對待). They are deprived of the ability to tell dreams from realities. They always work half-consciously, thinking their plight would end soon.
Shelley: That's horrible! They don't know what they are doing!
Shelley flies to the third floor, where she discovers the ultimate cause of all this. This floor is in sharp contrast with the second and the first. Its ceiling is extremely high, and it is much larger. There is an enormous garden that has a fountain and beautiful flowers. At the back of the garden a palace stands. It is just like any palace you read about in any fairy tales. It has ornate (裝飾華麗的) window frames and patterned floors. There is a big chandelier (枝形吊燈) in its main hall. When Shelley enters it, it is empty. After a while, a man in sumptuous (奢華的) clothes comes in. A servant who is rather well dressed follows him.
Man: What time is it now?
Servant: Sir, you know you need not know the time here. Every minute is just as good as the next.
Man: But I like asking that question. It's a ritual(習慣), you know.
Servant: All right. It is ten in the morning.
Man: Good. What shall we have? Let's have smoked salmon, roast duck and wine.
Servant: What will we do after the meal?
Man: Um. We will play chess!
When his meal is done, the man goes onto a stage in the garden where he overlooks an enormous chessboard. His servants are his pieces, and they follow his commands. He basically plays against himself. If he loses any piece, the person that is that piece is demoted to second-floor worker. The whole factory seems to work for that man's good. Shelley approaches him with the intention of uncovering the big secret.
Shelley: You mustn't do this! You have no right to exploit (剝削) others.
Man: Who are you? You look cute though.
Shelley: Close the factory and set everyone free!
Man: Why? Everyone here is fine. My grandpa did this, my great grandpa did this, and my great great grandpa did this. What's wrong with it?
Shelley: Don't you see they are unhappy and none want to live like this?
Man: No.
Shelley: What right have you?
Man: I manage them and feed them so that they live. Isn't that good enough?
Shelley: No! You exploit them.
Man: I don't understand. But would you like to stay here? I'll make you a servant or... a toy of mine. I will feed you.
Shelley: No way. You are the most stubborn person I've ever seen!
Shelley tries to find ways to free everybody. She is determined to find out where the system that controls the factory is and where the townspeople's chips are stored. She is determined to bring the city back to life.
The City (3 of 4)
Text: Ashley Ley
Illustration: Iris Tsoi
