"The greater good should stop being so demanding," Poppy said, taking a sip of her tea. "Why can't they solve their own problems?"
He put his hand to his chin in thought. "They aren't smart enough to understand the possibilities of what they could do. Maybe it's better that way," he said, speaking to her but looking around the room.
She pondered this, her head tilted as she considered. "Maybe. I don't know. I feel like we could get a lot more done as a society if people recognized their capabilities."
"We could, but there would be a lot less control, and control and order is good," he said. "That's how I think, at least."
"Sounds like a plot for world domination," Poppy said, grinning across the table at him. "A world where everyone must wear suits and eat sugar!"
"People could eat whatever they like, but they aren't allowed to wear tacky outfits." He raised an eyebrow. "Or they'll be executed."
"Terrifying," she said as breakfast was served. Poppy put a piece of toast on her plate and looked up at him expectantly, brushing the crumbs off her hands. "What other laws are there in Francis-land?"
"No technology other than for the sciences. That means you can't use email," he said, thinking. "There's a lot to explain, but I don't get into it. What about your world?"
"Poppy-world?" She took a moment to think before answering. "Lots of dogs. I really like dogs." She intertwined her fingers and rested her chin on them. "I wouldn't really want to rule the world, you know? I'd imagine it would get pretty boring if everyone started acted the same way."
"I suppose. The world is fine way the way it is now. I quite like it, in fact." He paused. "So you like dogs? I could see that."
"I see. I've never really liked animals all that much, which is why I never had them growing up, or why I have never been to a zoo."
"The instant we get off this plane, you are getting a dog," she said, crossing her arms with an amused look in her eye. "Then you'll understand."
"You're wrong," she said, shaking her head with mock disappointment. "I'm so sorry that your life has been in so much darkness for so long, but do not worry. A light is coming, and it will come in a form of a border collie."
"A border collie? Why not one that might actually scare a home intruder? Like a doberman," he suggested, thinking of species. "Or German shepards."
