Prelude to a Million Years #1

Even among the detritus of the industrial age, the artist finds inspiration in the vision of a woman, and tries to sculpt his glorious vision. This moves him to long for a lost love, and he sets out to find her. On the way the city is convulsed. A neighbor beats his wife. The artist is mugged. Police attack striking workers. Patriotic marchers seize passersby and force them to kiss the flag. He finds his long-ago love lewd and drunken, then staggers back to the cold comfort of his sculpture.