That catches their attention. The smile is still playing at his lips and I take an uneasy glance around.

“The death of someone, or something … it matters not. If you have seen death, you may be familiar with what are known as ‘death throes’.”

I shiver. I’m back in our little house, watching Dad, as Mum holds his hand. I’ve seen death.

“The death throes are the last attempts of a human or beast to snatch back life. The body jerks, the breath catches, the fingers claw, the rasp of final agony.” And still he smiles. “Death throes can look for all the world like life – like a fight that just might be won – they are violent and have a kind of unworldly strength. If you see a person in the throes of death for the first time, you would be forgiven for believing that they are recovering. But those accustomed to death see these exertions for what they are: a clear sign that the end is moments away.” He’s got the people’s attention fully now – all eyes are on him, no one speaks, nobody even shifts their feet or coughs.

“Do not let the blanks fool you, friends.” Mayor Longsight places his palm on his chest, as though he is paying us honour. “Their actions: stealing our skin books. Desecrating the sacred hall of remembrance. They are nothing but the frantic final grasps of a people who know their time has come. I admit, death throes are not pleasant to watch – some even find them frightening – but we should not fear these last desperate acts of a frail and useless people. They are dying. All we must do is wait.”

Wait? I think. That is the last thing these people desire. And indeed, there is a low, angry murmur of dissent. He holds out his hands.

“I want us to keep our focus. The people of Saintstone aren’t here to fight; we are here to live in peace and prosperity. Let me tell you a story.” Someone jeers; they are sick of stories. He ignores them and continues. “I remember our beloved storyteller, Mel, telling me once that she saw a future where there was unity. She saw a time when the blanks would return to us on their knees and beg forgiveness. She predicted a day when all blanks would repent of their obstinate rebellion and see the light. She saw, in her prophetic wisdom, throngs of those who were once blank, willingly coming to purge their sin and be inked. I believe I owe it to her to pursue that vision – we have the truth in our hands, we have the way of salvation on our skin. I am here today to tell you that a renaissance is coming; indeed, that it has already begun.”

And I know then what he is planning to do.