When I opened my eyes, he was looking past me, into the distance. Then he refocused on me.
“How did I never see it like that before?” he asked.
“Because you let go of technology.”
“Yeah, rub it in. I know better than to question your math.”
Finally, big brother stood by my side. “Everything we bring,” I said, “needs to have two or more purposes. We can’t steal from the community. Cast-offs only—what’s still left in the Smithsonian exhibits. Think you can plan that out, Civilization XIX king?”
He looked around the room, the same surveying Papa did as he scavenged for the rocket. “I’ll find every piece we’ve overlooked.” He pointed at my display. “Like this leather pouch. I bet the curators of this museum never expected it to see practical use again.”
I snatched it before he could. Smo
