Chapter 24 p22 – Every generation
Naresh: Have you been to the doctor or dentist since you got to the US?
Jany: No . . . why?
Naresh: You have to make appointments for this stuff now! And look up how much money it is before you go.
Jany: It costs money? . . . Right, I will.
Bianca’s sister: When I first told Jason his Aunt Bee was bi, he thought it meant any time someone’s name started with “B” it was code . . .
Bianca’s nephew: Mo-om!
Bianca: Hah!
Timothy: I’m not sure how long I’ll be here in Chicago, so a short-term volunteer spot would be ideal. Qualifications: I’ve worked in public service before, and there is no level of angry religion-fueled violence that can faze me.
Sparrow: Miranda! Come here and check my work.
Cohen: And part of the duty of the next generation is to watch us . . . To learn from our mistakes . . . . . . and to do better.
You say that now, Timothy.
Now Jany, it cost money in the UK as well… you just pay ahead of time in your taxes, instead of getting roped by the Healthcare complex into either paying for insurance, or paying the prices that were inflated to make Insurance seem reasonable.
“Yeah. We’re going to refuse to cover you because you have a pre-existing condition.”
“Is that the same ‘condition’ that you covered the medication for when I was diagnosed as a child, and for the next twenty years?”
“… Our records indicate yes.”
“Good, So long as we’re clear on that.”
That particular headache is no longer legal… although Republicans are sure trying their darndest to bring it back.
My favorite part of this very good page is that it declares Sparrow the symbolic successor of Jesus of Nazareth.
(Personally, I’m feeling a bit reminded of the Golden Compass from that comparison, what with Pullman’s generations of “Eves” and “serpents” and so on.)
Oh, man, and thinking about it… Sparrow is the character who is the most similar to Josh. They have the same goals, and you often cut to Sparrow’s activist work – the things she does and the attitudes she takes there are similar to what we saw Josh do on his travels. (Appropriately, Timothy’s hands-on charitable efforts are also reminiscent of Josh, and he also seems to have inherited Josh’s Quest To Save All Beings alongside Sparrow.)