This time though, he held her gaze. ‘It’s an obvious enough question, don’t you think? This is not some random dissident we’re discussing. We’re talking about a guy who it’s illegal to just mention. And you want to go back and take on the whole City, Bosquanet, lawbots and all, and save him. So why?’

‘Because I have to,’ she said flatly.

‘That’s not a reason.’

‘Well, it’s the one I’m giving you. Why do you care so much about this anyway?’

It was a good question, he had to admit. Why did he care so much? He didn’t know.

‘Because caring is what people do.’

She gave a short, scornful, almost derisory laugh. Maybe it was the quality of his repartee that it mocked, but looking at her, he got the feeling it went beyond contempt for cliché. ‘Something I said?’

‘You don’t really know much about people, do you?’

‘You believe people don’t care?’

‘I know they don’t.’

‘Oh, they care.’

‘Like who?’

‘Like me. I care.’

She laughed again. Yes, definitely derisory. ‘Well then, perhaps you should stop. For your own good.’

‘Why are you talking like this?’

‘Because it’s true! Caring? Caring is for fools like Virgil! He thought all he had to do was care enough, to show everyone that he cared enough, and they would too. He actually thought that they’d all pour out and join him, and that they’d take the City back, just by caring!’

‘But people did come,’ he pointed out.

She looked at him contemptuously. ‘Oh, of course they did. A dozen or so even cared enough to show up. And where did that get the lot of them? So much for the power of caring. And if that’s not enough to convince you and you want more proof, here it is.’ She gestured expansively, at the valley around them. ‘There’s your proof, Albert. It’s everywhere you look, all around you. This place is proof, this world is proof. A world filled with people who don’t care about themselves, or anything else. So take the time, and open your eyes, and you’ll know.’