m We went to see Tristan and Isolde at the opera the other day.
WL Was it good?
m Splendid.
WL Carlotta Igellicci was heartrending. What a voice! What presence!
It’s a shame she’s put on weight.
WL Care for a cigarette?
w I’d love one, thanks.
w3 How was your trip to Spain?
m Interesting.
m But…
m2 But what?
m We had to come home early.
Madrid was filled with the stench of,
pardon my language, food.
It was indecent.
m2 What will our planet be like in 20 years
with the current population explosion?
It makes you think.
w What are you referring to?
m2 Consider the quantity of toxic products we dump into our rivers.
Insecticides, detergents,all the industrial residue.
m Not to mention bodily wastes.
m2 Of course.
m It’s very simple. There are almost four billion people on Earth.
In 20 years, there’ll be seven billion of us.
w Seven billion!
m Yes, and how much bodily waste do you think a person discharges daily?
w I don’t know. Half a pound, maybe?
m Much more.
Urine is heavier than water.
All told, I’d say at least three pounds.
Multiplied by four billion,
that makes more than 6 billion pounds a day.
In 20 years, more than 10 billion pounds.
WL Ten million tons of excrement a day?
m Exactly.
m2 My word.
WL That’s really alarming.
mb Yes?
How many tons did you say?
w More than 10 million tons a day.
m And such waste is extremely toxic.
Its damaging effects are increased
by the presence of chemicals.
Just try peeing into your fish tank every day
and you’ll see what I mean.
child Mum, I’m really hungry.
w Sophie, it’s bad manners to talk like that at the table.
m Excuse me a moment.
Where’s the dining room, please?
Maid Last door on the right.
m Thank you.
m It’s occupied!
WB Sorry!
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