M. J. Cheeseman, London

Romance and the New World Order: Text and Questions 1. Text By the edge of the forest at the end of the city they met in secret. For the first time they all talked freely, away at last from the big firms, their advisors and clients, their legions of brakemen. Four City Architects, each famed throughout their lands, now finally united under the precepts of a single agenda. It had taken three years of organisation to set this humble pow-wow: diaries had been plotted, integrated lies spun on business trips and hunting holidays. Each Architect laid down 15 days to discuss, then plan, then begin to do. On this balmy, wind-kissed night, in Portugal, Malaysia, New Mexico, wherever you see it, they sit hunched on their logs outside the lodge, draped in blankets, talking to each other about the future. When one needed to demonstrate an idea or illustrate a point, a stick was used from the fire to trace shapes in the loose dirt at their feet. Four heads would nod in agreement as eight hands swam and many languages were understood. All things were discussed. If their parents were ever made aware of these extended and lengthy deliberations, it is extremely doubtful whether these Four would meet again. Maybe their project would be fostered, and each Architect would be sequestered away to an Institute or Research Foundation, told to continue their work alone, speaking to each other only when scheduled. That is as none of them desired. It would be here, under the stars, that something of this magnitude would be arranged; where a fire could burn and the rum go round, and work be done. 2. Questions (i). How many Architects are there? (ii). Are they men or women? (iii). Where are they meeting? (iv). What are they discussing? (v.) Should you stumble upon them unawares, perhaps out walking one balmy, wind-kissed evening, do you think they would invite you to pull up a log and give you a stick to trace shapes with in the loose dirt?

c o p y r i g h t © P i x e l P r e s s 1 9 9 9 - 2 0 0 3