Chapter One. The Meeting

The day is to begin with a meeting at the local community centre. Felicity, as usual, is feeling trepidation as to what the agenda contains. She knows there are to be talks and she is aware of a possible new sect nearby. She has only heard snippets of information yet her imagination has taken a turn for the worse. Is her community in danger? Is this new sect as threatening as the 'Smashers'?

Trembling, Felicity goes to her dresser. 'No not today,' she thinks, she needs to prove she can do this. She goes instead to the mirror, applying a small amount of vinegar to her face, she notices a misty quality to her this morning. She did not sleep too well last night.

The community Centre is buzzing with inquisitive activity. Already a small group has congregated around Bob Bluffle. Bob is a warrior and is affectionately known as 'Campaigning Bob', he likes to get things done. Felicity has such admiration for Bob that she can feel the mist lifting from her, yes she is positively glowing. 'Stop it' she thinks, 'now is not the time'.
'Calm down please' Bob cries, breaking Felicity's fantasy. Oh how she dreams of nights alone with Bob in the clearing beneath the large Oak tree by the edge of the lake. It is clear that the level of anxiety is increasing in the hall, hundreds are gathering, and there is no doubt about it something is terribly wrong.
'Please wait for everyone to arrive, then I will make your being asked here today clear to you.'
'It wasn't that long ago since Clive Crookshank was abducted by the Smashers, we can't let it happen again.' Shouted someone from the back.
'Like I say all will be revealed, please try and be patient.' Bob feeling a little unsettled himself tries to muster a reassuring tone to his voice.

Twenty minutes later Bob is ready to begin.
'It would appear that another sect has began to inhabit the old orchard recently vacated by the Smashers.' The tension rises and Phoebe Frost drops to her knees, they all heard the slight crack but knew that Bob needed to continue. Laurence and Jack the paramedics tended to Phoebe quietly.
'It does not seem that the sect present any threat to us. However, 'Bubbles Are Us' have informed me that there will be an extra demand for bubble wrap. Therefore it has been suggested that we, from this day forth, ration our supplies.'
'No!' shouted Felicity. 'Please NO, this can't happen.' This was the very last thing Felicity had expected, and by far the worst.
Heads turned, shocked. This kind of response from Felicity had never been witnessed by any of the glass people before and there was now a buzz of confusion.
Thankfully Laurence, still tending to Phoebe, bellowed from the sidelines buffering Felicity's outburst, 'Absolutely not. Think of the casualties, we are already under resourced and the impact of no longer having an endless supply of this material could destroy us.'
The community held their breath, this was just too much to take in.
'Yes,' Bob went on 'The implications are very worrying but it is imperative that we pull together and think of ways to be resourceful, after all we are not losing all of our supply, it is merely being cut down.'
'To how much?' shouted Edward Cloppit, by far the largest of the glass people.
'Well this isn't yet clear but I estimate it to be around 50,000 square meters per month. '
'What!' Jack now intervened and was clearly furious 'But that's half of our current supply, this is simply outrageous.'
'I am aware of this but that is the situation and I have written over 3,000 letters and attended several meetings on the matter and I am afraid to inform you that there is nothing more I can do.'
The hall went deathly silent and Felicity began feeling terribly faint. After further discussion it was clear to all that there was no more that could be done. It was a very gloomy day for the Glass People, a very gloomy day indeed.