Extracts from Murder in the Climate Assembly
These extracts all come from the whodunnit element. In extract 1, the detective watches footage of the members of the climate assembly debating on-demand buses. Extracts 2 and 3 are very short and illustrate how I aim to inspire the reader with positive visions of what a sustainable society might look like when done well, rather than trying to scare them green!
Extract 1 From whodunnit section. On-demand buses
…. Richard made himself a cup of tea and returned to watch the CCTV footage from Day 4 of the citizens’ jury when they’d discussed demand-led public transport. Jason was now knitting easily. Was it deliberate that everyone had a go with the knitting? To make fingerprinting trickier perhaps?
Marnie had knitted when Laura was young. She was dying for a reason to knit again. They were both looking forward to grandchildren. It was after Laura had announced she was ready to try for a baby that he’d finally taken the plunge and handed in his notice.
The exasperation in Steve’s voice brought him back to the recording.
STEVE: On-demand buses come when you call them.
NEEDLES: How can they?
BUS MAN: Forget checking out the timetable and waiting at a bus stop for a bus that always goes to the same place. With demand-led transport, you say where you are and where you want to go.
NEEDLES: But how?
Steve raises his voice and taps the table with each word for emphasis.
STEVE: How many times? You. Download. The. App.
NEEDLES: App?
SARAH: There’ll be lots of buses and they’ll learn typical patterns and the algorithm will—
NEEDLES: What’s an algorithm, my dear?
Steve shakes his head.
Jason shows Needles his knitting.
NEEDLES: Oh, that’s much better. You picked that up quick.
Jason beams.
STEVE: Let’s move on so we can get out of here alive.
The offhand remark jolted Richard back to reality. He’d been concentrating more on understanding the principle of demand-led buses than following the dynamics. The thought of transport that came when you called it was appealing. Laura’s teenage years had been a nightmare with her needing lifts here, there, and everywhere. It had given rise to so many arguments. Decent public transport would have made all the difference. He picked up his pencil and pad and continued listening.
BARRY: I couldn’t manage my kids on a bus. It’s enough hassle just getting them in the car.
NAOMI: Will people go for it? No offense, but buses are a bit grubby.
BARRY: (mutters) Too good to travel with us plebs.
NAOMI: It’s just having your own car is more convenient, especially if you’ve got a lot of stuff, and like your own space. I’m going to get an electric soon anyway, soon as I can afford it.
BUS MAN: That just won’t do. Cars have huge embedded carbon and use limited resources. The solution isn’t to get an additional EV or even swap, it’s giving up private transport and having an extensive, high-frequency, efficient, demand-led public transport system. (To Steve) In rural areas like yours especially, can you imagine what a difference it would make?
DEVANIKA: Men wouldn’t give up their cars. It’s a power trip for them.
STEVE: Do you have a car, Dev?
DEVANIKA: Yes.
STEVE: So much for our climate champion.
DEVANIKA: Actually, I have a car-share app, so when I’m not using it, others can borrow it.
NAOMI: Do you make a lot of money on that?
DEVANIKA: I made three hundred last month.
NAOMI: Who is that with?
DEVANIKA: Drivy. But Hiya car do similar.
Naomi makes a note. She notices others watching her in surprise.
NAOMI: For the environment you know.
Devanika looks at Naomi, eyebrows raised in disbelief.
Richard also didn’t buy the environment motivation, but he suspected money had little to do with this case.
It was nearly four. If he got the earlier train, he may get back in time to meet the gardener. There was another hour’s worth of footage to watch for this session. He’d noticed hostility in Devanika’s voice when she talked to Steve, and it was getting more pronounced. Sighing, he pressed play. When he finally had the time to put his family first, he just hoped it wouldn’t be too late.
STEVE: I actually like this idea. This would be good for my business. I can never get enough workers for harvest time. The youngsters up for that kind of summer work can’t get to the farm, and cabs are too expensive.
DEVANIKA: Probably pay them below minimum wage.
STEVE: Also handy if you want a drink. Then you don’t have to choose between having a few whiskeys after work or carting your kids from place to place, because there’s no public transport.
DEVANIKA: I’m guessing you chose whiskey.
STEVE: The kids don’t bloody work all day like I do!
DEVANIKA: A yes then. (to bus man) Don’t be fooled by Steve here. He may like the idea of more buses, but he won’t give up his car, or is it cars? (to Steve) I bet you call your car ‘she’.
Steve smiles and nods.
DEVANIKA: I bet you just love putting your foot down and feeling her go. The guttural vroom of the engine.
STEVE: Yup! She accelerates like a bitch, pushes you right back in your seat, and is absolutely silent. Cos she’s a Tesla. Weren’t expecting that, were you?
Devanika doesn’t respond.
STEVE: Alright, I’ll help you out. I’ve got an SUV too. Huge four-by-four gas guzzler.
The bus man follows the exchanges, waiting fruitlessly for an opportunity to intervene.
Extract 2
….Richard exhaled slowly and sat back in his chair. There were now two more suspects.… It wasn’t going to help him wrap this up any quicker. He no longer minded. The way things were at home, frankly, it would just be awkward if he was there the whole time. He stood up and walked to the window and gazed out at the London skyline. Big Ben was lit up, its reflection glimmering gold on the inky blackness of the Thames. Opposite, the London Eye was illuminated by an ethereal purple, pink glow. When he’d first started here, thirty years ago, he’d been blown away by the view. It was even more impressive now. Back in the nineties, the London air had been thick with exhaust, and he’d come home filthy every night. The city had cleaned up once they’d banned leaded petrol, and now it sparkled. Soon the city would become quieter as electric cars replaced the old engines. Or maybe demand-led buses would take over entirely. Would he even notice, retired in the country? He supposed they’d come into town now and then for the theatre. But the days of putting on their glad rags for an evening out seemed far away.
Extract 3
If we vote for this, will it really happen?’ Naomi asked.
‘Yes,’ said Sarah.
Naomi’s eyes welled up with tears.
‘It won’t be that bad, reassured Sarah. ‘With everyone on board, it won’t be long before you get your Gold Card membership for the library of things. You can gad about by bus wherever and whenever at little cost and rural economies will be transformed. Life will be cheaper. You’ll gain in confidence as you learn to value your stuff, learn how to maintain it. You’ll have space in your homes. Picture the roads with no parked cars, no traffic jams. You’ll have more time to take slow transport, you’ll still have holidays. And you won’t need to be resentful of others who aren’t doing their bit, or guilty for wanting a beefburger because you’ll have your own allotted personal carbon allowance that’s yours to do as you like with. Be green and richer or high-consuming and pay the full cost.’
