The twins are the first two to fall in line at daybreak. Other conscripted men come running in after them. All hands behind their back, they wait for me. The first day of official training. They wait for the cured Maican women to finish sewing their uniforms with the fabric and materials provided by Theo Cottonwool. 

“Do you think Pierre Ray will harm us if we come late?” asks one of the men in the third row’s line. 

“Try and we’ll know. Someone ...