Wonderland 2022

2. Rule 42

2. "Rule 42" - "All persons more than a mile high to leave the court" - as judge of a fictional town of choice, create a rule 42 of your own that all citizens must abide to. Failure to do so should result in...? (blog entry or short story <1000 words)

“Before the city council tonight is a new rule. Rule 42. We are voting on this rule tonight.” Mayor Smith looked at the council members seated in a semicircle around her.

“We're opening the floor to public comment, as we do in every public meeting. Who has a comment?”

A tall thin man rose from the seats in front of the council.

“State your name and address.”

“I am John Wickham, I live near the castle in a straw hut on Southside Way. I oppose Rule 42. I think Rule 42 is against people of tallness, of which I am one.” Mr. Wickham sat down.

“Any there any other public comments before the council?”

The very tall girl whose head touched the ceiling spoke next.

“I am confused. Are you all mad?”

“Your name and address, my dear.”

“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” the very tall girl remarked.


“Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cheshire Cat: “we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”

“Wait, there is already a speaker on the floor. Who let this cat in?” The mayor looked frazzled and confused.

“How do you know I’m mad?” asked the very tall girl.

“You must be,” said the Cheshire Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.”

“Silence! Both of you sit down! On to city business if there are no further public comments.”

The very tall girl wasn’t able to sit, so she remained standing in the corner. The Cheshire Cat sat near John Wickham.

“We’re now voting on Rule 42. Rule 42 states no one may be of a certain height that is able to touch the ceiling of any building. All in favor?” The council unanimously voted in favor. “Any opposed?”

John Wickham stood. “I oppose the Rule. I cannot help that I am higher than my house,” he sat back down.

“Rule 42 is now in force. We will prosecute those violators. Meeting adjourned. Immediately post the ordinance on every street corner, town crier.”

W/C 334