In the Abstract - Lauren Ipsum: A Story About Computer Science and Other Improbable Things - page 64

Chapter 14. In the Abstract
“Laurie, wake up.”
“Mrfl.” Laurie just rolled over. It felt way too early to wake up!
“Come on. Wake up.”
“Mom?” Laurie heard water splashing. The bath?
“We're here, girl. Help me tidy up the boat.”
“The . . . boat? What b—” she opened her eyes. The walls were made of wood, and it was
Winsome, not Laurie's mother, who wanted her to wake up. Of course—Laurie was still on
the Doppelganger .
Laurie went above deck and got her first look at Abstract Island. The Doppelganger was tied
up at the end of the main pier. The little harbor was a perfect half-moon. All around the
docks, people were fishing or fussing around on identical boats. On land, identical houses
and shops were scattered among trees and hilly parks.
“Hey, Winsome, why do all of the buildings look the same?” Laurie asked. “And the trees,
too!”
“That's how they do things here. First they talk endlessly about what makes a building, or a
street, or a pigeon. Once they find the perfect abstract design, they make a bunch of copies.
Let's go get some breakfast and then deliver these letters.”
Winsome lifted a huge mail bag and headed down the pier. Laurie had to hurry to keep up.
There were many restaurants around the harbor. The Philosopher's Diner was packed with
old people wearing togas, and at Random Slice Pizza you never knew what toppings you'd
get. It was too early for pizza, though.