Contact with Earth had brought with it a fashion for Earth things, particularly books of that strange planet. Wealthy families hired people to memorize Earth texts and recite them – they were known as Living Books. FAHRENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury had been the first, if she recalled her History of Library Science correctly.
As will happen in cramped quarters, the passengers on the Ark began to get on one another’s nerves.
The mice and rats, in particular, had no respect for anyone else’s personal space. They were into everything. Cute as their bright little eyes and pink little paws might be, their nibbling and skittering annoyed everyone. Worst of all, they multiplied.
The landlords at the inns were always glad to sell them some feed for Lumpkin – at inflated prices, of course. The taverners were always glad to sell them food and drink, or to give them others’ leftovers in exchange for a bit of free entertainment for the other diners.
No respect, though. Not from anybody.
