The Formula
A cartoon. The cartoonist's view is their own.
A Sumerian scribe, stylus in hand, finishing a tablet. He hesitates at the last line.
He writes: AND THE FAULT WAS NOT WITH THE WORKMEN. He looks pleased with himself.
Two hundred and ten other scribes, at two hundred and ten other desks, all writing the same line at the same moment. None of them can see the others.
Four thousand years later, a reporter alone in a reading room, one hand over her mouth.
The script
PANEL 1 | A Sumerian scribe, stylus in hand, finishing a tablet. He hesitates at the last line.
PANEL 2 | He writes: AND THE FAULT WAS NOT WITH THE WORKMEN. He looks pleased with himself.
PANEL 3 | Two hundred and ten other scribes, at two hundred and ten other desks, all writing the same line at the same moment. None of them can see the others.
PANEL 4 | Four thousand years later, a reporter alone in a reading room, one hand over her mouth.
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