Part 2: Chapter 2 Summary

Sentries turn ships away and no vehicles are entering the town, changing the commercial nature of the town. The Prefect is under constant siege by those who take their frustrations out on him and seek a softening of the rules.

The statistics are beginning to be published, and at first they do not alarm the public since they have nothing to compare them to. However, as the weeks go on and the reports reflect a constant increase in victims, there is a little more understanding of the grimness of the situation. But they still are not taking their predicament very seriously. They continue to stroll the streets and go to the cafés.

Toward the end of the month, things begin to change. The Prefect begins to control the traffic, ration the food supply, and limit the use of electricity. At...