Devero doesn't respond right away, thinking about how he wants to put this. It's not the first time he's had to explain the philosophy of the World Government to someone on the train, but with Buttercup it feels important to get it right.

Start by answering the easy questions first. "People work if they want to, and if they're able," he says, "but it's not required of anyone. Most people do contribute in some capacity, at some point, but even a citizen who never contributes a thing in their life will have the same access to basic necessities as the rest of us.

"See, where I come from, we believe that there are certain things that everyone his a right to, simply by virtue of being alive." He still holds on to one of her legs with one hand, but lifts the other to start ticking things off on his fingers. "Good food and clean water; comprehensive healthcare; shelter and clothing; standard education-- stuff like that. There's more, but those five are the most important material rights, and I can never remember the ethical rights. Regardless, it's the job of Gov-- of the World Government-- to make sure every citizen has their basic rights met, no matter what."