CITIZEN 22

    I have written it before, so I shall write it again. Number 22, pictured here with Number 2, bears an uncanny resemblance to his predecessor Number 14, who was also an assistant to Number 2, in 'Hammer Into Anvil.' Except 14 was a more capable assistant, well he would have been had Number 2 allowed him to be so. It may be wondered what Number 22 was doing all the time Number 2 was away from The Village on leave? Perhaps he was simply absorbed back into Administration until Number 2 returned. But even then what did 22 do to actually assist Number 2? Nothing much may well be the conclusion drawn. He may not have agreed with Plan Division Q, but he was powerless to help Number 2. And so the question is, what was he doing there in the first place? Perhaps simply to act as a sounding board from Number 2. He’s not even anywhere to be seen during the Appreciation Day ceremony. He could have acted as an ally for Number 6, but he didn’t. Perhaps he simply lacked the courage and moral fibre to do the right thing.
   Number 22 may have the outward appearance of the previous Number 14, but there the resemblance ends. Because his character is opposite to that of Number 14. Then again 22 may have learned what eventually happened to 14, and didn’t want to stick his neck out for anyone.

Be seeing you