The Pollution Campaign

Klara’s spiritual account of sunlight turns a street machine into an enemy, and her attempt to destroy it exposes the limits of her power.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Machine Arrives

Smoke at the Window A Wrong Guess Klara initially wonders whether the Cootings Machine fights pollution. Rex tells her it is designed to produce more of it. A Darkened Store Smoke obscures the sky and removes the Sun’s patterns from the floor. Klara and the other AFs weaken as daylight fades.

The Sun’s Promise

A Bargain Proposed A Desperate Request Klara asks the Sun to help Josie and offers to destroy the machine responsible for pollution. She believes the Sun’s response signals a possible agreement. A Mission Begins Her faith gives her a concrete task, even though no human in the household knows why she takes the machine so seriously.

Finding the First Machine

A Search Through Back Streets Paul’s Assistance Klara explains that she needs to find a particular pollution machine. Paul drives her through construction yards and unfamiliar streets. A Costly Method Once they locate it, Paul describes a way to disable its generator using fluid from Klara. Klara accepts the risk because she believes Josie’s life depends on the attempt.

Fluid in the Nozzle

The Destruction Attempt The Machine Disabled Paul extracts P-E-G Nine solution from Klara and pours it into the machine’s nozzle. Klara experiences fear but remains committed to the plan. Hope at a Price The operation damages the first machine, and Paul later confirms its failure. The sacrifice gives Klara a temporary sense that she has fulfilled her promise.

The Replacement Machine

A False Victory Pollution Returns Klara sees a different, larger machine emitting smoke. Destroying one unit has not ended the pollution. A New Understanding She eventually understands that her effort could not control a system capable of replacing its machinery. Her promise to the Sun remains incomplete, while Josie’s need for help remains urgent.

during Klara’s first period mid-store

during Klara’s first visit to Mr McBain’s barn

during the evening drive through the city

shortly before the evening rendezvous

the morning after the first machine is destroyed