21

As soon as everyone is back in place, Dina turns to look up at the wall—and, following her gaze, you see that the clock has just ticked past one.

There's a moment of stillness. Then Dina straightens her back and announces very clearly:

"Thank you all for coming here today." She seems to take in everybody at once as she speaks, as if trying to make sure nobody is overlooked. "As of now, I'm calling this meeting to a close. In the next few minutes, the Town Council will leave to begin the process of voting on the question of the Alberobello Developments, and while I can't say how long the process will take, we all hope to have a verdict for you within the next hour. Thank you once again."

With that, she sits up a little straighter and stretches her shoulders after leaning over the table for so long. Then, barely a few seconds later, you're left looking at an empty stage as the Town Council members disappear to make their decision.

As soon as they're gone, the hall fills with the noise of scraping chairs and stamping feet as people stand up to talk to each other or to move outside. You get up along with most of the crowd and head out into the fresh air yourself.

As the street fills with more and more people, you are feeling