Chapter Five: Folding a City into the Set

“Director,” the child's voice came through every speaker in the city. “You finally put my name back.” “Xu Zhou, are you alive?” “You should have asked nine years ago.” The set began to collapse. Faceless figures tore open a passage into the mechanical empire. Beyond it, the Marquis occupied his throne. Tang Jing stood below, handing him a roll of film covered with the names of the city's residents. Tang Jing looked into the camera and silently formed two words: Save me.