Alfie and Margot Hawthorne live under the iron grip of the Ministry of Manners, where every home has its own C.I.V.I.L.I.T.Y. assistant, keeping life running to the highest standards of politeness. Each citizen is allotted Courtesy Coins, a currency that fluctuates with every act of politeness or rudeness, and a slip of the tongue could lead to dire consequences.
