crystals | step one cut a hole in a box

[dissolving]

FORM: Crystals
SENDER: Cedric
RECIPIENT: Friends, Romans, countrymen
NOTES: Complaintiment box

Hey – 's Cedric.

Heard we used to have a box for, uh. Feedback. Set up a new one outside the Mediation office.

If there's aught been bugging you, can put it in there. Won't promise you the moons, but reckon we can at least talk it out. And if there's something gone good, or you seen someone really putting in the work, 's a fine place to say that too. I'll let folks know.

Won't read it for a bit. So if you got a pressing problem, talk to me direct.

Ah. Yeah. That’s all, thanks.

[ muffled: ]

How d'you even say Pizzicagnolo –

Comments

[dissolving]

Anything you wouldn't print?

[bouchonne]

Indecency. We must be certain only ever to provide the purest of messages, so that maidens don't swoon.

[dissolving]

And th'lads?

[bouchonne]

So that their thoughts don't turn raunchy. Lads do not, of course, swoon. Too manly for that.

[dissolving]

Think we been reading different indecency.

[bouchonne]

I'm talking about pornography. What are you talking about?

[dissolving]

Better kind, if you're not swoonin'.

[bouchonne]

[ A delighted gasp. ]

I thought you were a good lad! Have I been misjudging you?

[dissolving]

War's a lotta standing in place. It makes th'rounds.

[bouchonne]

Well, yes, but one need not look. One must make the choice to look. The Maker himself might well have turned His face from us because He glanced over our shoulders and saw we had utter filth in our hands.

[cozen]

—I will print anything in the Hangman's Papers,

[ answered, finally, after sitting back to let Byerly have fun, ]

if the author is willing to put their name to it. For anonymity there is a higher bar.