Dear Emilio

02.02.2093

THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT FROM I-POST 3263, UNDERCITY

Dear Emilio

Moe says you won't remember me because you were only 6 when the move happened, but I have to write to someone from upside for my T.R class and you're the only person I know.

I'm your Aunt May's kid. That makes me your cousin. Anyhow-I guess you'll be coming on 14 this year. Time moves different down here I think.

Prof Anders gave us a list of questions we had to ask our upsider, but Moe said he isn't even a proper professor. I think he's a proper mudslicker, but Moe says that's one of those opinions you keep to yourself. I guess I've told you now. Bugger.

Todd's grandma taught me that word- bugger- I hear her saying it while she sweeps around the outside of Todd's unit. I don't know why she keeps sweeping dirt. There's only more dirt underneath. Maybe that's why she says 'bugger' so much.

I guess I am a bit interested to know about how it is to still be upside-maybe Anders' question list isn't completely useless. Moe says your folks are seedsavers. I don't know what that means but it sounds important. Do they get to look at the sky? Moe says the sky was all different colours some of the time, but I only sort of remember blue. I guess colours move different down here too.

Anyways, Moe says to pass his love to Aunty Ce.

Walk firmly,

Felix

06.02.2093

THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT FROM I-POST 3263, UNDERCITY

Dear Emilio

Is the water still see-through upside? Moe says you've probably had to violet-treat it to drink, same as us, but maybe you still wash with the clear stuff. Intendant Ryan says the violet-treating doesn't change the taste at all, but I remember the early days when we first made the move, before the water went bad. The see-through water didn't taste so sweet.

The power went out in sector 11 two days ago, and so they're all moved to us. Luckily sector 11 is quite small so it hasn't been too bad sharing space. Moe and I are already two in a single unit, so we haven't had to share, but Todd has had two little kids and their parents staying with him, and his grandma is yelling 'bugger' a lot more than usual.

I think Moe is in trouble at work. He won't tell but he has the red armband that Prof Farris had to wear when she let us sleep under the heat lamps for her period and Principal Thrid found out. It doesn't seem to be hurting him but you never can tell with Moe.

Maisie Andrews is writing to her father's old work friend because he's the only person she could think of who still lives upside. She says she can't think of what to say to a grown man, and I can't think what I'd say either so I'm glad I have you to write to instead.

Maybe you know Maisie's Dad's work friend. She says his name is Evan James Peters and he has a face like a lemon. I don't know what that means, but I thought you might.

Walk firmly,

Felix.

10.02.2093

THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT FROM I-POST 3263, UNDERCITY

Dear Emilio

Sector 11 has had power for three days, but they haven't been told to move back yet. This week the washers delivered Sector 12 uniforms to all the 11s, and Intendant Ryan struck Marcy Davids across the face when she saw him and asked him why.

Moe didn't say anything. I think it's the red band, he seems afraid to act how he likes. I could see he wanted to slap Intendant Ryan right back, but he just kept quiet and held my wrist so tight I thought he'd shatter it.

Do your Intendants smack young girls just for asking questions? I bet they don't. I bet you don't even have Intendants upside. Sometimes it feels like ours are to stop us running away, where they think we'd run I have no idea.

I wonder what they're doing with sector 11 if there's not people there. I'll be wondering alone it seems, because Moe refuses to talk about it. He just gets all crazy eyed and goes real quiet.

Something is up and I don't intend to ignore it.

Walk firmly

Felix

15.02.2093

THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT FROM I-POST 3263, UNDERCITY

Dear Emilio

Todd's O'gonnel's grandma has very sadly passed, may she be in peace. I'm sure her age and very active lifestyle contributed quite significantly to her tragic demise. I wish to be there for Todd and his family during this time. Please forgive how brief this correspondence is

Walk firmly

Felix

20.02.2093

THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT FROM PERSONAL I-POST 8357, UNDERCITY

Dear Emilio

Everything is back to normal! Professor Anders has wisely given our class two more correspondences so that this assignment will finish neatly at the end of your second Surface month. This has been such a fun and interesting project!

My guardian, Maurice has been voluntarily admitted to a behavioral redevelopment program in our great capital, the City of Undercity. I hope he will return a more upstanding citizen.

Luckily I have been granted supervised lodgings with Intendant Ryans himself! Intendant Ryans' lodgings are very grand indeed. Intendant Ryans has suggested I no longer interact with Todd O'gonnel, as he and his family may be a disruptive influence on me and I am inclined to agree. How fortunate that the honorable Intendant has taken such an interest in me!

This will be our second-to-last correspondence, what a journey it has been!

Walk firmly

Felix

29.02.2093

THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT FROM I-POST 3263, UNDERCITY

Dear Emilio

There isn't much time, and I'm probably being daft wasting some of it trying to get this to you, but Moe used to say that family is the beginning and the end of everything, and I suppose this is the end.

I don't know what they'll tell you about this upside, I think it depends on if we pull it off or not. Whatever they say, you'll know the truth.

Todd is keeping watch while I write, and he says to tell you 'hi'

Good luck with everything Em. I guess I love you.

Walk bravely,

Felix