
Part 1
In a massive vertical city where society is stratified by soaring levels, Reuben, a low‑level Atomist, gets a glimpse of the world far above his own through a pair of mysterious binoculars. The device shows a breathtaking vista that hints at a hidden hierarchy and sparks his ambition, even as the maintenance crew, led by the suspicious Almon, warns him to keep his eyes shut. As Reuben descends, he meets Selene, a striking woman with a steel‑clad corset, whose cryptic remarks about power and revenge pull him deeper into the tower’s secret games.
When an alarm blares, the two find themselves trapped in a cramped corridor, forced to share a hidden room while the tower’s elite scramble for safety. The tense encounter reveals the fragile alliances and rivalries that govern life on each level, and Reuben must decide whether to trust Selene’s promises or heed the cautionary words of Almon. The opening sets a stage of intrigue and danger, inviting listeners to wonder how far a man will go to turn a deadly trap into his own jackpot.
Language
en
Duration
~26 minutes (25K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
Jan 3, 2016
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1923–1958
A sharp, darkly imaginative voice of mid-century science fiction, C. M. Kornbluth explored the dangers of mass culture, unchecked technology, and political power. His influential collaborations with Frederik Pohl helped produce classics such as The Space Merchants and Gladiator at Law.
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