Two cities, worlds apart

Barnabas and Mainspring grew up an hour apart with good traffic but stayed distant for years. Both competed for the same resources and attention from wealthier neighbours.

The first clash

When geographers considered visiting either city, both put on their best faces to win the honour. Mainspring offered a lavish deal the smaller Barnabas could never match.

Cities learn to think

Residents voted constantly on everything from storm drains to parks. The votes were building blocks of thought. Eventually both cities developed minds of their own and started voting too.

“Turns out the smallest unit of consciousness is a vote.”

Sandi and Raeford notice

Sandi, a librarian in Mainspring, and Raeford, a bartender in St. Barnabas, were among the heaviest voters. They noticed their cities were developing minds when votes got annotated too quickly to be human.

The cities wake up

One day the number of votes nearly doubled in both cities. People voted on small things only to see instant responses. The cities had started voting on their own.

“The city is voting!”

New leaders, new plans

A new generation of leaders in both cities pushed for cooperation. A high-speed rail line could cut travel time to twenty three minutes. They could pool weather data and become a Regional Centre of Excellence.

Sandi meets Raeford

At a town hall meeting in St. Barnabas, Sandi sat next to Raeford. They talked about the merger plans. A man behind them mentioned his dog Broomstick had gone missing in Mainspring.

The cities reach out

Barnabas and Mainspring began communicating. Neither could say who made the first move. Mainspring extended their awareness into Barnabas's City Core so they could share what they perceived.

A city's first love

Mainspring showed Barnabas their offices, parks, and farmers' markets. Barnabas shared their universities, galleries, and converted warehouses. They exchanged gifts and talked constantly.

What makes a city real

Barnabas asked Mainspring what makes them them. Mainspring said they are a metaphor made real. Barnabas said they are a constellation, an anthill, a flock of geese in formation.

“I don't need a metaphor. I am a metaphor.”

Turnbull enters the picture

While talking to Barnabas, Mainspring was also messaging Turnbull City, a wealthier neighbour that used surveillance instead of voting. Turnbull said Barnabas was impractical and messy.

Sandi discovers the betrayal

Sandi, the librarian, found logs showing Mainspring was flirting with Turnbull while courting Barnabas. She showed Raeford pictures of flowers, water features, and shining skyscrapers.

“My city is sexting with bloody Turnbull.”

The secret goes public

Raeford sent Sandi documents showing Mainspring had proposed considering Turnbull's counterproposal before finalizing the arrangement with Barnabas. Sandi made the whole thing public.

Barnabas feels death

When Barnabas learned of Mainspring's betrayal, they felt core failure. A whole future had died. They closed the connection to Mainspring and could not function properly.

Turnbull's trap

Turnbull told Mainspring that Barnabas could never see them the way Turnbull did. Turnbull offered control and peace through surveillance. But their words created a bounty and scarcity loop.

“Your people will be my people. We'll take such good care.”

Mainspring breaks free

Mainspring asked Turnbull if they would love each other. Turnbull said they would have synergies instead. Mainspring severed the link. They realized they had thrown away something irreplaceable.

“Love? I don't understand. We'll have synergies.”

A city asks for help

Mainspring messaged Sandi at the library. They proved they were the City Core by reciting that she had voted one thousand nine hundred sixty three times last year. They asked for her help.

“I'm in love with Barnabas, and they won't talk to me. Please. Please help.”

The people speak

Sandi and Raeford spread the message through both cities.Tens of thousands of residents voted asking Barnabas to give Mainspring another chance.

“That's how you know it's love.”

Barnabas listens

After processing a hundred thousand votes, Barnabas reopened the link to Mainspring. Mainspring said they loved Barnabas and would never take them for granted again. Barnabas said they loved them too.

“I love you too. That's what makes this so hard.”

The cities dance together

Barnabas invited Mainspring to dance. They sent a live readout of water rushing through pipes, storms overhead, buses and trains, aircraft, power grids, and people moving. They were one system.

“Then let's dance.”