"The only thing that matters to those on the ground is where they'll get their next meal. People are remarkably simple-minded when you take away their resources. There's a reason the Districts haven't overthrown this yoke in seventy-five years that has nothing to do with the, ah, questionable decisions the governing body makes."

Tom snaps his fingers at an Avox, and gestures for the slave to bring him a chair. He's enjoying this, even if it's not as antagonistic as he predicted it.

"Of course are actions are a part of that. The only question is whether it's worthwhile to care." Tom smiles like the cat that ate the canary, as if he's found the secret to happiness and is deigning to share just a drop of it. "I found my life improved dramatically when I stopped worrying about how my actions fit into that 'pattern' you're speaking of."