Moon of the Crusted Snow

Another heavy storm is pounding down as Walter, Terry, Evan, Isaiah, and the council members pore over the data about their supplies in the boardroom, looking stressed. Evan’s parents walk in—Dan is carrying a big pot of stew, and Walter thanks them for their thoughtfulness. Patricia laughs off the comment, explaining that their generation lived off the grid for years. Another council member looks up, telling everyone they have enough diesel to last until late February. They might be able to push that another month or two, if people are careful about their energy consumption. He recommends that they continue as normal without scaring people. Terry disagrees, saying that people deserve to know what’s going on, and that the community’s survival depends on mutual cooperation.

Terry decides to tell the community tomorrow afternoon, after they can plough the roads and prepare a community meal. There’s a secret pantry with thousands of cans stored up for a harsh winter, which they’ll use some of for the meal. There’s enough food stored to feed 500 people for two years. Everybody agrees to the plan, and they start preparing for the meeting.