"See there, Stettin," Seldon said as the two were taking an early evening stroll in one of Trantor's residential¹ sectors² near Streeling. The older man pointed³ to debris-assorted refuse jettisoned⁴ from passing groundcars or dropped by careless pedestrians-strewn along the walkway. "In the old days," Seldon continued, "you would never see litter like this. The security officers were vigilant⁵ and municipal maintenance crews provided round-the-clock upkeep of all public areas. But, most important, no one would even think of dumping his trash in such a manner. Trantor was our home; we took pride in aa. Now"-Seldon shook his head sadly, resignedly, and sighed-"it's-" He broke off abruptly⁶.
    "You there, young man!" Seldon shouted at a ill-kempt fellow who had moments before passed them, going in the opposite direction. He was munching⁷ a treat just popped into his mouth; the wrapper had been tossed to the ground without so much as a downward glance. "Pick that up and dispose of it properly," Seldon admonished⁸ as the young man eyed him sullenly⁹.
    "Pick it up yourself," the boy snarled¹⁰ and then he turned and walked away.
    "It's another sign of society's breakdown¹¹, as predicted by your psychohistory, Professor Seldon," Palver said.
    "Yes, Stettin. All around us the Empire is falling apart, piece by piece. In fact, it's already smashed-there's no turning back now.

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