Until the age of five, Equality 7-2521 lived in the Home of the Infants, where he was often punished for fighting. From the age of five to 15, he lived in the Home of the Students. He was a quicker study than his fellow students, and although he tried to hide his intelligence, he was punished more often than anyone else. He secretly longed to become a Scholar, so he could study the Science of Things. But the Council of Vocations assigned him to be a Street Sweeper. Two springs ago, while working as a Street Sweeper, Equality 7-2521 and his friend International 4-8818 accidentally discovered a hole leading to an ancient tunnel. The tunnel contains metal tracks and other relics of the Unmentionable Times. Rather than report their find as they are required to, Equality 7-2521 insists that they keep the tunnel a secret. Now he sneaks out …show more content…
Using materials from the Unmentionable Times, Equality 7-2521 has created an electric light. He thinks about the possible uses of his discovery, and decides that he must present his light to the World Council of Scholars. They will be meeting in his city in a month. He vows to guard his secret with extra care until then. His is proud of his invention, and of his hands that made it. On the night of his previous journal entry, Equality 7-2521 is caught. He forgets to watch the time and returns late to the Home of the Street Sweepers. He refuses to tell the Council of the Home where he has been. They send him to the Palace of Corrective Detention to be lashed. He is whipped until he is unconscious, but still refuses to say where he has been. On the night before the World Council of Scholars is to meet, he escapes and returns to his secret tunnel. Tomorrow, he will present his invention to