“Amen,” says Hannah. The four of them stare at the entrance to the Bulgari Hotel. An exceedingly boring street full of Victorian red brick buildings and rich women who obviously work out. That type of women, who seem to live only to fulfill men’s expectations, are unknown to the children from Rochdale. It’s as if they’ve been produced by a 3-D printer. Without anything objectionable. Without pores or fat, without cellulite or brains. They’d probably have been influencers or models. They’d thought they could take a shortcut. Have their hair removed and sculpt themselves, and just like that, a sumptuous life would be there for the taking as a reward. But it isn’t there; their sumptuous life consists of service and fear. Fear of losing out to the new sex robots can be seen in their eyes with the surgically tightened upper and lower lids. Presumably it’s helpful to have deterioration as the only thing to fear in one’s life. It makes you so damn stupid. Speaking of which, it smells almost like spring. The holly bushes rustle quietly in cast-iron pots in front of the entrances to buildings where exclusively millionaires live, millionaires who are somewhere else. Sparrows express themselves as well. The sound of sparrows in the big city always produces a vague sense of longing in people. Perhaps for blossoming landscapes and serious songbirds. Karen is reading a book about viruses, Hannah and Don have their eyes closed, their heads leaning together. Peter stares at the entrance. “They’re really doing it, the bodycams,” says Peter. He points to a large man with a little camera clipped to his cap.

BODYCAM MAN

ETHNICITY: white

POLITICAL ORIENTATION: malcontent

SEXUAL ORIENTATION: asexual

FRIENDS: not really

Had picked up his equipment the day before at the newly opened bureau of citizen points.

THOME’S FATHER

Had spoken to the people a few days before:

“Now we come to a brilliant added feature of the chips in your wrists. Last week we launched a new program: ‘Social points for a good life.’ From now on you can boost your basic income through environmentally friendly, socially conscious conduct. You can lower energy costs by using less heat and showering less frequently, lower insurance premiums with sensible eating and sufficient exercise. You can earn a number of attractive benefits on the public transport system or on holidays if you’re willing to engage collectively. Of course, this new offering is strictly voluntary.”

Then Thome’s father turns away from the camera. He feels an outburst of laughter welling up inside.

And the

BODYCAM MAN

Also smirks. Just now. The point system has been in place for a week now.

And has already persuaded, so to speak, nearly half the population of the island. Just picking up the equipment (pulse transmitter and bodycam) racks up three points. Use of the bodycam gets you five points a month. So.