I don’t get it. Sure, a miner is at the bottom of the pecking order – about 200’ below everyone else in fact. But why do they flaunt it?
They took my red sweater! They took Martha’s blue scarf, and Michael’s green hat. We need these for warmth in the mine, but they said “No!”
They said only the mine owners are allowed to wear colors. Only they can wear pretty colors larger than a kerchief.
Sure. They are richer than I am. They are probably smarter than I am. They might even be better people than I am. But why can’t I be warm? Why can’t my spirits be lifted with some color?
— Overheard by Stryder while visiting the mines below Undertown —