Chapter 7 — A Run on the Library
A serial novel in the form of correspondence among a family while the world as we know it collapses around us. I recommend you start at the Introduction:
https://readmedium.com/climate-for-change-introduction-5331d5ab9313
But you can start anywhere you want.
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Chapter 7
Email:
Dear Grandpa,
I had to stay home today. They canceled all schools because of the air quality. Jeremy came over, and we played video games for a while before we went over to Jorge and Daisy’s. Mel came too, because I was the babysitter. We decided to do some research about air quality and if they have ever closed St. Paul schools because of smoke from fires. We couldn’t remember any time, nor could Daisy’s parents, who were also home from their jobs. When we went on People’s Encyclopedia to check on it, but there was just a “URL not found” message. People’s Encyclopedia is completely gone now. We assume that the attacks by the PFL’s people were just too much for them. Well, that sucks! Sorry for the language, Grandpa. But it does.
Then I asked Daisy if she thought her parents would let us go to the library together. I thought that they might not, because of all the racism out there, but they surprised me. They loaded us all in their van and drove us to the library. My plan was to go to the history section and check out as many books as I could. Having People’s Encyclopedia down is a real blow to my independent studies because a lot of my projects start there. I usually read what is written in People’s Encyclopedia and then check their sources and read the originals, too, if I can online. Although I don’t often read an actual history book, I decided to check out a bunch today at the library.
When we went into the library, they said it was closing soon and to hurry up. This was odd because on Fridays they normally stay open until 9 p.m. We fanned out into the library, and I got history books about the World Wars, the Holocaust, and the rise of fascism. I got some biographies of Civil Rights leaders, too. We decided to hit the science section for some books about climate change. Then Jorge suggested we get books about Native Americans. We were all trying to figure out what real books the PFL and his people would try to take out of the library. Jeremy got a small stack of young adult vampire-type fiction (ugh!) and some Calvin and Hobbes collections (yes!). Mel got books about animals. I told her the PFL doesn’t care about chickens, but she wanted them just the same. We are each allowed a maximum of 20 books, so between us all, we were able to check out 140 books just before the library closed. In addition, they had a bin of books for sale for $1 each that they were taking out of circulation. I saw George Orwell’s 1984 in the bin. I got that, and then we all pooled our cash and got 25 more random books. As we were leaving, the librarians who were locking up put a chain on the door handles and posted a laminated sign that said “closed until further notice.” Whoa!
I’ll see you tomorrow. Daisy’s parents are going to come out to the farm with us, so we will bring two cars. They have their own tents and sleeping bags and can leave them behind for your guests when we head home.
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Dear Benjamin,
It is late at night, but I wanted to respond right away. Good job getting those books. You know that your grandma and I also have a mountain of books about organic farming and sustainable living that you can use, too. Those might come in handy. No vampire fiction in our collection, so good job, Jeremy! You never know when that information might be useful. Did Jeremy get anything about zombies? Wink.
Here is what I found out about the library closing. The EBG said that by decree of the PFL, all libraries and bookstores were to be closed immediately until such time that the books could be assessed for truth. The PFL went on to say that false information was the “enemy of the people,” and he did not want the good, God-fearing American people to be further poisoned by false information. He has also imposed a “lock out” on all university students until each university curriculum could be sufficiently evaluated for true history and true science. Are you sure they closed the high schools because of air quality today? Maybe it was something else?
Tell your mom to drive safely.
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Dear Grandpa,
Wow! That was a great time. You and Grandma went all out. I have never eaten so much good food! Daisy, Jeremy, and Jorge all said they had the best time. As we were driving home, we talked about what our favorite parts were. We couldn’t decide.
You were right about Daisy and Jorge never having been in a real wood-fired sauna before. I didn’t think we could fit so many people in that sauna! I have not sweated that much in a long time. Even playing soccer in 95 degree heat! I felt like all the concerns from the past few weeks were sweated right out of me.
We were all also glad that the weather cooled down enough so we could enjoy a campfire at night. I liked all the stories the most. I wish I had some good stories to tell. We all loved meeting Malik and Erika and their family. Hearing about their life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast was amazing. I can’t imagine what they are going through. They just picked up and left everything behind. At least they had time to get their most valuable possessions before they left, unlike Marco and Antonio. Their stories of living right on the Gulf were like they are from a different planet. I hope the hurricane misses their place. I’d love to go see it sometime. It was also good to meet Great-uncle George and Great-aunt Lynn from Key West. That must have been a long drive. I hope their house makes it, too. They didn’t seem very confident. We were also all very impressed with your friends, Greg and Jess, from D.C.. The work they are doing with Climate Action sounds like an actual war with the climate change deniers. We had no idea that their organization has had to work so hard to defend itself. I had never heard anything about the death threats and the intimidation before last night. I told Mom we should send more money to Climate Action.
Daisy’s favorite part was when Grandma brought out the rifles and let us all practice shooting pop cans. Most of them had never shot a gun before, and it was thrilling. I was glad we didn’t go hunting though; I think shooting pop cans was enough to start with.
Of course it was fun to pick apples and press apple juice. And Grandma’s pies, your soup, and the pork roast were so good. I think you might have been too generous with Daisy’s family. They couldn’t move in the van because you had packed so many apples and vegetables around them. How could anyone eat so many vegetables? They are just four people!
Well. I gotta go. Say “hi” to everyone at your little commune!
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Next chapter:
https://readmedium.com/chapter-8-from-bad-to-worse-6c5f7fc168b
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