The World We Make

London returns to her city, trailed by Neek (who realized that she was in his city). On the Wobbly Bridge, they discuss how she once had 32 boroughs. When Neek asks if she cannibalized them, she responds that she “ate their essence—the thing, or things, that made them an aspect of London” (169). She claims this was the only way forward when some boroughs decided they didn’t want the burden of city avatar responsibilities. Neek observes that it would be very difficult for him to bear the burden alone. They conclude the conversation with London telling Neek that she’s calling a Summit to deal with R’lyeh before the threat gets any worse.

On his way to DC to meet his mother, Manny begins remembering his old identity. He runs into Douglas Acevedo, one of the first people he met when he arrived in New York City. The two discuss caring for people who are emotionally wounded and hesitant to receive love. Manny notes that because of systemic racism, his family has learned to mete out their own justice, implying that Manny’s family has created their own methods of dealing with conflict outside of the law. However, when Manny thinks of family, his fellow avatars are the first people that come to his mind.

Manny’s mother immediately identifies their server as the future avatar of DC. She notes that there are half a dozen cities she’s aware of that will soon be ready to be born. Manny asks for his mother’s help with Brooklyn’s campaign, requesting that she assist in acquiring the support of the NYPD. She replies that she has made a list of some names that can be swayed in support of Brooklyn. She also offers to throw in a private PAC to support Brooklyn. In return, she wants Manny to leave New York City behind and take up his rightful role: as the avatar of Chicago.

At a crowded state supreme court building, Brooklyn and her lawyer, Ms. Allen, fight for the property rights to her brownstones. They make their case: “The city program that was used to transfer the deed from their revocable trust to Better New York was intended to address abandoned or distressed properties; the Thomasons’ property did not qualify” (185). Furthermore, the pretext by which Better New York claimed the property, an unpaid utility bill, was in error. Allen points out that this is part of a larger problem of properties belonging to working-class or historically oppressed people being unjustly taken from them. The lawyer representing Better New York, Mr. Vance, builds his case on the useful developments that this money will fund. Brooklyn recognizes that these developments will further alienate the working-class residents of these areas.

The case is disrupted when attendees begin standing and holding up their cell phones. They each play an audio clip of Panfilo saying, “We’re gonna Make New York Great Again!” and chant it back after it plays (187). The lights then go out, and Brooklyn realizes that she has abruptly been stripped of her city avatar status. Brooklyn as a city borough temporarily reverts to non-aliveness. When the lights come back on, Brooklyn sees that a tendril like the one Padmini described has attached itself to Mr. Vance’s neck and that there is a bulge slowly moving toward him along it.

The judge calls for order. Mr. Vance continues his case, but his speech is mixed-up and unusual. R’lyeh, speaking through Mr. Vance, tells Brooklyn that she no longer has city-power keeping her safe. Suddenly, all of the individuals who have been causing the disruption turn their heads to look at Brooklyn and smile. Angered by this blatant threat and the overall mayhem, the judge finds for the plaintiff. He cheekily references Brooklyn’s MC Free lyrics and bangs the gavel. Brooklyn suddenly finds her city-power restored, and the power blasts the tendril and whatever was moving inside of it.

Bronca shows up early to her second date with Marina and encounters a fashionably dressed woman at the Angelika Film Center. This turns out to be the avatar of the city of Paris. Paris has come to inform the New York City avatars that a Summit has been called and a date set for that very same week. She lets Bronca know that some cities think New York City is to blame for the trouble. Bronca says that the right course of action is to get R’lyeh out of New York City, while Paris counters that the other cities will want to know why Staten Island became vulnerable in the first place. Bronca says that her hope is that with many cities attacking together, they can dislodge R’lyeh. After Paris lets her know that the Summit will be held in Atlantis, she takes her leave. Though she’s a bit rattled, Bronca resolves to enjoy the rest of her date.