Oxygénia

machines, the monotonous work: pulling a lever on the right side,
then the same on the left side, again and agin, without an end.
"The method is very simple", the manager explained. "We could
work those machines with machines, but that wouldn't be of much
sense. On Oxygénia, eight billion servant beings are living, and we
want to keep them occupied. In exchange for their work, we cover
the physical and psychic needs of these lower beings with our
machines. The oxygen they are given is perfectly enough for living.
Of course, we could produce unlimited amounts of oxygen with our
advanced technology, could clean the biosphere, make the ground
of the black continents fertile and clean the ocean, too. But for what
reason? Today's system of rationing oxygen was developed by our
great king Benefactor I. The limited oxygen warrants the total quiet
of the mass. Everyone stays in his place because why should he go
somewhere else? There is no competing, no envy, no revolution, and
there is no thinking. There is no travelling around, because for the
movement, oxygen is needed. That way, we got rid of one of the
biggest dangers for our civilization, the overcrowding, at once. The
rationing of oxygen has completely stopped the thoughtless and
scaring proliferation of the lower layers of the population... The
eight billion beings do work our machines and multiply due to strict
calculations. And so, we created a so sophisticated culture,
literature, philosophy, social peace and justice like it, I want to
repeat that, won't be found anywhere in the universe again."
"Have you... ever been down there at these beings?", Peter asked
with a hoarse voice.
"No. This is neither necessary nor even possible", the manager
stated calmly. "The traffic between the continents has been
terminated for all times. From down, no one can come up here, but
we – you can well believe me this – don't feel any desire to get down
there... By the way, may I explain the function of the ion curtain at
this point. This constantly heavily moving curtain of gas ions and
radiation is keeping the oxygen-rich air of Oxygenville from mixing
with the gas layer of the continents. This ionosphere consists of
about a thousand meters of ozone-rich gas. All waste of the huge
industries of our planet gets into the Black Ocean and in the lowest
air layer. The lower five hundred meters of the ion curtain enclose
the polluted gas layer so tightly that there is constantly absolutely
no wind in the servant cities. The same zone enables for us to direct
a bit more light and a slightly better air mixture in the Cities of the
Rememberers. But I believe you won't be much interested in these
chemical and physical matters..."
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