The Lost Train of Thought Read Online Free Page A

tower! What about ze people of Ze World? Have we forgotten zat zis should be our main concern?”
    Figarro was as surprised as anyone when a round of applause exploded through the room.
    “Order! Order in the court!” Second in Command High-tower angrily slammed down the gavel and brought the hall to silence. “I know a lot of people have strong feelings, but this trial is about more than one man’s job. It’s about who we are as The Seems and what kind of World we want to create.”
    “Hopefully not one filled with Rules and regulations.” A disgruntled Nature Buff stood up without raising her hand. “Whatever happened to thinking for ourselves?”
    “Sounds to me like you’re surfing the wrong wave, sister.” A Minuteman from the Department of Time got right in her face. “Maybe we should see what kind of necklace you’re sporting.”
    Again, the Hall of Justice fell into disarray as the two workers charged at each other and had to be restrained by security. But this time, the pounding of gavels had no effect whatsoever.
    “Order!” shouted all three judges to no avail. “Order in this court!”
    While most in The Seems still had faith in the Big Building and its Plan, in the past year the underground movement known as The Tide had continued its alarming rise. Their efforts to remove the Powers That Be and take over The World had grown more brazen, and though few would publicly admit sympathies, the group’s proposals were starting to gain traction with the public. Which is why fights like this had become all too common.
    It was only when a tall man with steely blue eyes raised his hand from the very back of the room that the hall grew quiet once more. Slowly at first, then all at once, as each person in the crowd realized who was requesting permission to speak.
    “The court recognizes Samuel Hightower.” The Second in Command’s voice remained decidedly professional, even though everyone in the room knew their relationship was anything but. “Do you have an opinion in this matter?”
    The tall man leaned back against the wall behind him and smiled.
    “It’s my opinion that everyone should take a deep breath and remember that we’re all on the same side.”
    When Samuel Hightower spoke, people in The Seems listened. His term as Second in Command had been the longest in recorded History and his approval ratings astronomically high. Though he had unexpectedly resigned his post seven years ago, he was still a consultant to the Powers That Be and with all the political upheaval, calls for his reinstatement had become louder and louder. Oh, and there was one more thing that made the gossip columnist for the Daily Plan lean forward in the press box.
    Samuel was Eve Hightower’s husband.
    “These are tenuous times in The Seems, are they not?” He lifted a well-worn cowboy boot to the rail in front of him and polished the toe with his thumb. “Who among us thought there would come a day when metal detectors lined the doors to every department? When Special Forces roamed the Field of Play, checking every bag and knapsack? When brother and sister would turn on each other as they haven’t since the terrible days of the Color Wars?”
    Though he never looked at the Nature Buff or Minuteman, the reprimand was clear, and all who’d engaged in the scuffle dropped their eyes to the floor.
    “It’s no secret who is responsible for the situation we now face. And though we can all agree that The Tide’s methods are distasteful—if not downright criminal— they’ve also forced us to ask some tough questions. Questions we’ve been avoiding since back in the Day. And trust me, no one avoided them more than I did, when I sat in the chair at the head of this room.”
    Heads shook throughout the hall, as if to exonerate the man who had led them for so many peaceful and productive years, but Samuel would hear none of it.
    “In many ways, this trial is about our unwillingness to look in the mirror. A boy too young