Fred and Charlie witness first with astonishment, then with submission and even complacency the increase in the power of the State, which begins with the banning of all non brown coloured cats and dogs and progressively standardises all aspects of social life. Brown becomes the dominant colour. Even ancient owners of non brown animals are subsequently condemned; one after another, Fred and Charlie are also arrested in this way. Fred regrets, only too late, their blindness and passivity.