Inside the domed city, Jacob and Margaret, brother and sister, sat down on a bench looking through observation portals to admire the outside world''s beautiful forest, sprawling across rolling hills as far as the eye could see.


    "Do you think it''ll ever happen again, Jacob?"


    "Do I think … what … will ever happen again?"


    "You know, like when we can go outside?"


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    "Marge, shush! Are you trying to get us in trouble?"


    "What? I''m just asking."


    "Do you know what happened the last time people ventured outside the dome?"


    "Um, no?"


    "They started digging and cutting, and they built machines that required energy, so they mined and drilled. The entire ecosystem was nearing collapse with buildings, vehicles, noise, pollution, poverty, and crime! Rapid climate change forced people to use air conditioning, which in turn made it worse for the environment, a vicious circle. Not to mention the depletion of some natural resources causing wars! It was miserable!"


    "Okay, okay, Jacob, calm down ... I''m sorry that I asked!"