"What'd they do?"

"They changed what caste a bunch of important jobs were."

"Why is that so bad?"

"Remember the polluted food war? This change also had to do with jobs that involve pollution. When you change things involving pollution it is really important to move slowly and not scare people."

"And they scared people?"

"We are trying to control how it gets reported but even at best they definitely scared all the people who do that kind of work elsewhere in the world."

"Which jobs?"

"Working with sewage and garbage and dead bodies."

"Who does them now in that country?"

"Purples."

...she counts out six carefully on her fingers.

"So who was doing it before?"

"Reds. This is Grandpa's stop."

"Nobody told me there were reds."

"No one likes to think about things that make them feel sick."

"But you knew they existed and I did not."

"Because people don't write children's books about pollution."

"How are people supposed to find out?"

"Schools and books for older children might discuss it, along with other bad things that we don't talk about with one-year-olds usually."

Grumble.

"I am sure your grandpa would be happy to tell you about all of them."

"Mmhm."

He drops her off. He kisses her head. "Have fun, okay? Your grandparents can reach us if you need anything."

Nod.

Grandparents are so delighted to see her! "The boys are playing upstairs. How are you doing?"

"I'm mad 'cause nobody told me about reds."