Episode 34 — The Blueprint for Utopia, or “The Price of Sleep Deprivation.”
I really want to punch the "me" from last night as hard as I can.
Because I showed off and said, "I can have it for you by tomorrow," I ended up facing my PC all night without a wink of sleep. The muscle memory of the death marches from my corporate slave days settled into my fingertips, and I finished the city plan with an unnecessarily sharp typing rhythm.
*Ding-dong.*
The intercom rang. When I checked the monitor, only Gustav was standing there.
(So Bartos and Elishua are at the site... Those two are probably so obsessed with their photoshoot they didn't come.)
Come to think of it, I realized I forgot to take the camera back yesterday. But in my current hazy state, I didn't really care.
"Well, whatever. As long as they have that camera, it’ll probably keep them busy... Actually, I’d rather they get so distracted by the filming that the construction gets delayed. That would give me more time to relax."
Clinging to that escapist hope, I invited Gustav into the living room.
"Morning, Gustav. ...As promised, it’s done."
"Good morning, Mr. Zect. May I see it right away?"
Dragging my heavy body, I spread the printed "Felsen New City Vision Map" on the table.
"...This is incredible. The buildings aren't just lined up. There’s a regularity to the streets... But Mr. Zect, isn't this residential area too large? With Felsen’s current population, a fifth of this would be more than enough."
At Gustav's perfectly reasonable question, I took a sip of cola and gave a light, weary laugh.
"A fifth? That wouldn't be any different from the old Felsen. If buildings are too densely packed, you’ll immediately be back to fearing sewage issues and fire risks. Space in urban planning isn't a 'current luxury'; it’s 'future safety.'"
Cutting off Gustav, who looked like he wanted to say something, I continued.
"Besides... people are going to flock here. A city built by tacking pieces on after you run out of living space always ends up distorted and turns into a slum. You have to secure flow lines from the start by anticipating maximum capacity. That’s the ironclad rule... People gather in attractive cities on their own. You want to make Felsen a wonderful city, don't you, Gustav?"
"...Maximum capacity? ...You mean you’re anticipating the population of the future?"
"Of course. It’s a pain to have to adjust things later by saying, 'The road is too narrow, so let’s tear down these houses to widen it,' right? In that case, we should just make them wide from the get-go. The base is 'zoning.' We clearly separate residential, commercial, and industrial areas. Current Felsen is too crowded and vulnerable to fire, and above all, the sewage and daily flow lines are all tangled up. That’s why I want to establish an organization called the 'Water Utility' to manage the city’s entire water flow centrally."
"A Water Utility...? An office just for managing waterways. ...But the maintenance costs for such facilities will be astronomical."
"That’s why we’ll set up a system to collect 'water bills' from the citizens. Water isn't free; there’s a management cost."
"You’re going to charge money for water?!"
"In exchange, the citizens will be freed from the heavy labor of hauling water buckets every day. They’ll have more free time, and sanitation will improve dramatically, reducing illness, right? If they think of it as the cost of buying 'convenience' and 'health,' they’ll accept it."
"I see... put that way, I'm sure the citizens will be convinced."
I pointed to the large gate at the outer edge of the drawing.
"Then there’s resolving congestion at the gates. We’ll organize the flow lines. Let's completely separate the entrance and exit and build dedicated lanes for carriages. Even the main arterial roads will be large enough for three carriages to drive side-by-side."
"Three carriages... Everything truly is on a different scale."
"It’s the opposite. If the roads are narrow, logistics get clogged. If logistics clog, the economy dies. Also, I’m planning to use this much space in the center of the city to build a 'park full of nature.'"
"A park...? Instead of a field, you’re going to turn empty land into greenery just for the sake of it?"
"It’s a place for rest. If people are surrounded by nothing but cramped stone buildings, their hearts grow cold. Next to that park, we’ll build a 'school.' We’ll hammer reading, writing, arithmetic, and basic engineering into every single child. Let's increase the number of people who can take charge of Felsen’s future. It’s an investment to build a maintenance-friendly organization."
I want to build a "city that runs even if I'm not there" as quickly as possible so I can drink cola on my Throne of Sloth.
Gustav traced the drawing with his finger in admiration. His finger stopped at a small "drinking fountain" symbol drawn in a corner of the park.
"Mr. Zect, what is this? Why build such a large water station in the park when you’re piping water to every home?"
"Oh, that’s a public tap. For people who absolutely don't want to pay a water bill, we’ll make it so they can still draw water here like they always have. Forcing things on people isn't good. Besides, you’ll need water for large events in the park, won't you?"
"I see...! So even if someone can’t pay for water, they won’t be in trouble. Brilliant as always!"
"...Well, I doubt anyone will actually use it for their daily needs though."
Once people learn the convenience of having water come out just by turning a tap, I can’t imagine they’d bother to make the round trip to the park with heavy buckets every day. In the end, everyone chooses to "buy time." I certainly would.
"Mr. Zect... You aren't just making Felsen a simple territory; you’re trying to turn it into a single 'perfected world,' aren't you?"
A hot light sparked in Gustav's eyes.
(No, it’s not that grand. I just want to make my own life easier.)
Swallowing those words, I gave a weak laugh.
"...Well, I’m expecting great things. I’m entrusting this to you today, so go over it with Garam and the others."
"Yes! I’ll take this to the site immediately!"
Gustav clutched the blueprints like a treasure and left like a whirlwind.
The living room became quiet.
I collapsed onto the sofa just like that and buried my face in the back of Tama, who was curled up asleep next to me.
(Tama, you... how could you sleep so soundly while I was desperately drawing those plans...?)
"...From tomorrow... starting tomorrow for sure... I am absolutely going to slack off..."
In my fading consciousness, I felt like I could hear Bartos's voice echoing from far away: "This is the perfect composition, Lady Elishua!"
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