Гимн
Part One
SoweawaitedourturninthegreathallandthenweheardtheCouncilofVocationscallourname:“Equality7-2521.”Wewalkedtothedais,andourlegsdidnottremble,andwelookedupattheCouncil.TherewerefivemembersoftheCouncil,threeofthemalegenderandtwoofthefemale.Theirhairwaswhiteandtheirfaceswerecrackedastheclayofadryriverbed.Theywereold.TheyseemedolderthanthemarbleoftheTempleoftheWorldCouncil.Theysatbeforeusandtheydidnotmove.Andwesawnobreathtostirthefoldsoftheirwhitetogas.Butweknewthattheywerealive,forafingerofthehandoftheoldestrose,pointedtous,andfelldownagain.Thiswastheonlythingwhichmoved,forthelipsoftheoldestdidnotmoveastheysaid:“StreetSweeper.”
WefeltthecordsofourneckgrowtightasourheadrosehighertolookuponthefacesoftheCouncil,andwewerehappy.Weknewwehadbeenguilty,butnowwehadawaytoatoneforit.WewouldacceptourLifeMandate,andwewouldworkforourbrothers,gladlyandwillingly,andwewoulderaseoursinagainstthem,whichtheydidnotknow,butweknew.Sowewerehappy,andproudofourselvesandofourvictoryoverourselves.Weraisedourrightarmandwespoke,andourvoicewastheclearest,thesteadiestvoiceinthehallthatday,andwesaid:
“Thewillofourbrothersbedone.”
AndwelookedstraightintotheeyesoftheCouncil,buttheireyeswereascoldblueglassbuttons.
SowewentintotheHomeoftheStreetSweepers.Itisagreyhouseonanarrowstreet.
