FOUR THINGS THE CITY CAN NO LONGER AFFORD

Last summer the markets dressed nine cargos of synthetic spinach in real leaves. Three of those leaves came from a single tree in Riverside Park. We can stop pretending; the tree is gone.

The mean July temperature in the boroughs has not dropped below 92°F since 2019. Cooling rations now consume forty-one percent of the municipal grid before the canneries are powered.

Population intake fell short of the May quota by 11,400 citizens. The waiting list at the Home is two years long and growing. The committee recommends we retire the adjective and revise the schedule.

Three reporters have made the inquiry in writing since February. Two have since transferred to the relocation programme. The third remains a problem for another committee, on another floor, on another day.