The words just slipped out. As soon as she said them, Pita cringed. She tensed her shoulders, waiting for his blow. But instead the cop paused—either to take a breath or to savor her fear—then started in on a new tack. "You and your precious committee want special rights, huh? And you think you’re going to get them by blocking the streets and tossing trash at our government buildings? You aren’t fit to sit in the gutter in front of Metroplex Hall, let alone walk in the front door and demand special treatment. Why don’t you porkers stay in the Underground where you belong?"