Alasdair Gray source 4
We might have introduced severe rationing in the hope that the Council
would intervene to save us at the last minute, but we decided not to
risk that. We decided to act ourselves. We told our heroic
fire-brigade to sweep the poison into the sewers. There was nowhere
else for it to go. They did. Unthank was saved. We didn't publicized
this triumph. It was enough reward for us that nobody would go hungry.
specially narrow (author's note to publisher)
'Now for the bad news. The poison from the motorway
is creeping backward through the sewage system in the form of
a very lethal and corrosive gas. It is undermining our streets,
our public buildings and our houses'. [… text scored out and illegible
…]
Sludden stood up and pointed to an area of the map outlined in
red.
'Here is the danger-area: central Unthank inside the ring-
road and the district east of the cathedral.'
'That's us alright,' said Macfee.
'To prevent loss of life we must stop the gas spreading. Every
drain and sewer-opening in the danger area must be blocked.
This work is proceeding in the streets and will soon start in
houses and other buildings. Sanitary workers will call in
to seal up every sink, urinal and lavatory pan. Naturally
this takes time, so we invite your co-operation. Tubes of
plastic cement will soon by obtainable, on demand,
from your local police-station and post-office. The homes
of householders who block their own drains will receive
nothing more than a routine inspection. Meanwhile everyone
should immediately plug their sinks and fill them with
water. Lavatory pans will also stay safe for a while
if they are not actually employed. I will now pause for
three minutes to let everyone attend to their sink.'
Three sentences appeared on the screen:
PLUG YOUR SINK.
FILL IT WITH WATER.
DONT FLUSH YOUR LAVATORY PAN