She stood at the edge of the crag, the wind causing her hair to fly in all directions. The view from here was overwhelming; she had never seen so much grass all in one place before. The overcast, grey sky was the colour of her grandfather’s eyes. Rainbow White began to cry, she cried for her father’s actions, her mother’s dry cheek and most of all her grandparent’s age.
“Rainbow, be careful up there!” Rainbow turned to see her grandparents come into view. They were both panting from the final climb, one which Rainbow had made a full fifteen minutes earlier. She wished she could take away some of her youth and give it to them, but she knew she was being silly, this was real life, and in a year and a half her grandfather was going to die.
Admittedly, February hadn’t been the best time to visit the Scottish Highlands. It had taken Rainbow three days to adjust to the cold temperature. But she had a feeling that this was the point- her grandfather had wanted her to experience life without gadgets like adjustable thermal jackets. They were staying in a little wooden lodge, in a small town not far from Inverness, at night they even lit a fire- something which would have seemed silly to Rainbow a year ago. Things had changed so much, all due to one law.
James White's Journal – Tuesday 7th February 2051
Rainbow is really enjoying her trip here- and it makes me so happy. She needed to see that there are still beautiful places in the world, and she needs to preserve them. Chloe really loves it here too- she’s always been a fan of nature. I haven’t the heart to tell Rainbow that this area is due to be built on next year. Why can’t the government realise that we need plants to reduce carbon dioxide levels- destroying them is just stupid.
We walked up Meall Mor today. When I saw Rainbow standing on the crag it made me think of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice or Emily Bronte’s WutheringHeights. It inspired me for a chapter in my book: literature. How much this has changed since 2000, when these books were on syllabuses at school so that every school child had at least an idea of these novels. Now they just use those “videobooks,” which I personally cannot work or understand.
Another reason why I wanted to bring Rainbow here is so she could meet some of the poorest people in the UK. They live as people did 40 or so years ago- without all of these new gadgets. Rainbow needs to see them, so we’re going to Glasgow tomorrow. Only then can she understand how to make a difference in this world we have created.
P.M Lee White's Digi-diary – 08/02/51 14:37
Tomorrow I am going to receive a report about the carbon dioxide levels from top scientists. The law has been in action for half a year now, so I am expecting positive results. Despite minor protest, the law appears to have been successful.
I saw my father for the first time in 5 months last week when he came to pick up Rainbow. He hardly said a word to me; in fact Rainbow has been quiet around me lately too. I thought she would get over it, I am thankful I have Sophie’s support in this matter.
Yesterday, Marcia was attacked by masked men- nothing serious; she just got a bit scared. However, the public must know this will not go without consequence, which is why I am making a speech tomorrow- I can combine the results in there too, that should win over the rest of them.
The room was tiny, there was only one worn down sofa- presumably doubling up as a bed, dining table and chairs. Chloe White could not stand the smell of the place, and from Rainbow’s expression, neither could she. Chloe didn’t even know there were still people living like this anywhere in the UK- and certainly something had to be done. As they walked away from the (she couldn’t even call it a house) room, she realised why James had taken them here. The anger she was feeling towards her son had almost doubled upon seeing those living conditions, and hopefully, so had Rainbows’.
Rainbow White's Secret Diary – Thursday 9th February 2051
I cannot believe what I have just seen. All of those poor people, living like that. If my father the PM knows about them, and hasn’t done anything about it, then he really isn’t the man I thought he was. This law is bad enough, but this as well… I just don’t know how I can be around him anymore.
We’re on our way home now, in the car (yes, grandfather still insists on driving one, hydrogen fuelled of course). I’m sad to be leaving the mountains; I found them so inspiring and beautiful. After seeing those houses I know I have to do something.Sorry, my wristpad’s receiving a message…
Rainbow- When you return to London, contact me immediately- I think I may have found something to do with the Personal is Political. Mr Flynn.
Meanwhile 900km away, Marcia adjusted Lee White’s tie. He had to have a good image when he made his speech- every person in the country would be watching or listening to him. She activated his digi-diary, this speech he would want to listen to over and over again. He was about to make history.
PM Lee White’s Digi-diary 09/02/51
People of the United Kingdom, I know there has been outcry due to the law I passed half a year ago, but I am addressing you today to tell you that it has worked. I have received pleasing results from top scientists working at the LondonUniversity. Our carbon dioxide emissions are down by 0.59%.
Now this may seem like a very small number, but I assure you that it only took a temperature change of 2º C for the polar ice caps to start disappearing. I’m not saying they’re going to magically re-appear- this is the real world- but I am saying that we have made a difference.
I repeat what was said in my previous speech, in December of last year, concerning this matter. I know it is hard to lose loved ones, but it has come to the point where someone needs to take action- and I was the man who did that for you. The people on the Euthanasia Program have lived 70 long years, and now it is the turn of others to make this world a better place to live in. Please see that this is the best and only way forwards. The last thing this country needs or wants is to go backwards.
Rainbow knocked on the door of Mr Flynn’s house. She had her history text books tucked under her arm in case anyone wondered what she was doing. Mr Flynn, after all, was a historian.
“Rainbow, do come in. I think you’re going to be very interested in this.”
Rainbow walked into the house and went straight to the office- she knew her way around well.
“As you know we’ve been trying to locate the group Personal is Political. After pouring through books, I’ve found the origins of the word. It refers to our personal lives are politically determined. In other words, the problem isn’t with the people; it’s with the government.”
“So, what you’re saying is that the phrase meant is the problem is the government?” Rainbow was in disbelief. “We knew that already!”
“That’s not the point. Of course we know the problem is the government- they started this stupid law. But what kind of group would name themselves after an expression that was used in the 1960s? It has to be someone who knows their history. So, I took a look at the records for the classes of a colleague of mine- someone who specialized in America in the 1960s. The class has long since been discontinued- it ran about 30 years ago.I then cross-referenced those same names to the areas where the graffiti ‘personal is political’ was seen by you- in Lambeth, I believe.”
“And, did you find anything or anyone who took the class and lives or has been seen in that area?” Rainbow was getting excited.
“Actually you’ll be quite surprised. There is a bowling group that meet every Thursday and Tuesday at the local bowling lanes. Most memberswere in the class of 2021, and a few were in the class of 2019; but every single member had taken the class.”
Rainbow was confused. “So, what does this mean?”
“Well, if my guess is correct, the bowling club is an excuse for these people to meet each other. Rainbow, I think you were right, the Personal is Political is some kind of political group against you father. And there’s only one way to find out if they exist.”
James White’s Journal – Friday 10th February 2051
Snow’s just left, and it’s not good news. There seems to be no way off cutting Lee out of the will without paying ridiculous amounts of taxes. Snow’s been looking for a way to do it for two months now- and there just doesn’t seem to be one. I guess the only positive thing is that if the money does go to Lee, it will eventually get to Rainbow.
Chloe’s been going out a lot lately, I think with Sophie. I never really knew they had that much in common but they appear to be the best of friends. I suppose it’s because poor Sophie’s as shocked as we are about Lee. But that can’t be right- Rainbow says Sophie’s completely for the whole thing and she’s backing Lee all the way. Why would Chloe associate with her?
“You should just tell him how you feel, Sophie.”
“How can I? I have to remain loyal to him, especially now. If I appear to back him, I might be able to persuade him to change James’s date- and yours too.”
“That’s never going to work, if his own father and daughter can’t change his mind…” Chloe White sighed. “James is starting to wonder why I keep meeting you; he thinks you’re for this law. For that matter, so does Rainbow- she asked me while we were in Scotland why I thought you weren’t concerned about this. If you’re not careful, Rainbow might start to think you’re like Lee.”
“But surely it’s better if I remain close to Lee, then I can really find out what he’s planning- and that information may be useful to… someone.” Sophie looked down; she hadn’t meant to say that.
“Sophie! Are you,” Chloe couldn’t almost say it, “involved in something you shouldn’t be?”
“All I’m saying Chloe is that there are a lot of people who don’t like what Lee is doing.” Sophie paused. “Anyway- you know things haven’t been great between us. That woman Marcia is probably…” Sophie stopped. She couldn’t accuse Lee of that.
“So, you’re remaining loyal to Lee, only to betray him?” Chloe asked.
Sophie didn’t know what to say- should she have even said anything to Chloe. Lee was her son after all. “Well…”
“Because if you are,” Chloe took a deep breath, “I want to help you.”