There was a mountain, and there was a Man. And the Man lived at the top of the mountain as its lord. And the mountain was tiered so that people could live below and serve him. And there were stairs encircling the mountain so that the people who lived on each tier could ascend and descend. And they were content, even though there were always particles of dust on their paths and stairs. It was a mountain, they reasoned, without caring to question, and mountains were dusty, or icy, which would have been worse. So they went about their business without fussing or complaining, doing the Man’s bidding, and sweeping the stairs and paths and brushing the fine bits of dust off their shoes as they headed into their homes.

And all was well.

Until one day, the people on the tiers below the mountain top noticed the dust was looking thicker, coating more than stairs and paths and shoes. At first, they thought it was a fluke, or their imagination. So they told themselves it wasn’t so bad, and would likely ease soon, while continuing to sweep and brush.

But those dwelling on the lowest tiers were not content to sweep and brush. For as days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, and the dust showered them from the upper tiers, bringing a foul smell with it, making them cough and wheeze and rub themselves raw, they became angry, and chose five of their halest and smartest residents to ascend to the tiers above them to see what was going on. And, at each stop on their climb, they saw tier-dwellers clad in layers from head to toe, mumbling to each other while moving about in a haze.

Thus they continued up the mountain, amid much choking and spitting, planning what they would say when they approached the Man to whom they answered, hoping they would not offend him, yet preparing for a confrontation.

But, when they stepped on to the mountain top, instead of an imposing overlord, they found a hunched and sobbing gnome striding frantically from edge to edge, and disintegrating into swells of dust and dirt that rose and fell in billowing waves, and covered them in filth.

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