Page 104 of A Farmer’s Guide To Gamers

“Keep our town data center free!” I cheered with her this time, getting into it now. The crowd and noise were a lot when my body was so sensitive, but I let the excitement of the moment sweep me away.

The sheriff had no choice but to stand guard at the door with security while we walked around the front lawn and walkways. As the chants grew, so did the crowd. My dads handed out fresh signs and eventually, I pulled out my phone and snapped some pictures, including a selfie for my brothers, Drew and Ari, who weren’t here to witness it in person.

Tillie

You guys are missing an amazing protest. Mom changed dinner tonight into this.

Tillie

Sent picture

Drew

Oh god, glad I opted out of this weeks’ dinner.

Ari

I’m kind of sad. That’s a hell of a turnout for Magnolia Ridge.

Tillie

Mom has been working her magic for weeks. Everyone who has left their house has heard it at least twice.

Ari

Chant for me, sis.

Drew

Try to stay out of jail.

Tillie

No promises.

I tucked my phone away as I felt someone’s eyes lingering on me. My gaze swept over the growing crowd, but nothing was out of place.

These hormones were wild.

The mayor stepped outside, his face twisted in fury. “That’s enough of this. This is not using our Magnolia Ridge hospitality!”

“There’s no hospitality when the environment and our peace are at stake,” Mom screamed back through the megaphone.

“Goldie—” The mayor started and I could almost feel the irritation rising in my mom.

“Don’t ‘Goldie’ me, Mayor Smith. This is bullshit! You can’t just hold a meeting about the future of Magnolia Ridge and not include the people that live here. There is research that shows how damaging data centers are to our environment."

“We have seen nothing definitive —”

“I have.”

Mom walked over towards the collection of extra signs they had brought to the protest. She reached onto the ground and pulled up a big stack of papers and she held them up, shaking them at the mayor.

“All of this research —”

“What is the commotion out here?” A newcomer in a fancy suit stalked out of the Town Hall. “Who are all these people?”

“All of these people are the citizens of this town that don’t want your technology bullshit ruining our hometown!”