This too shall pass.

Two short stories, spaced five decades apart, featuring aspects of a society at the given time periods.

(Optional note, summarized in the story): The two parts to this story are written in an arbitrary order, not necessarily chronologically, meaning either one can be considered the "first" on the timeline. The dates before each can be read in different ways since only the last two digits of the year are given(i.e. the date of the first, 08.18.43, can be read as October 18th, 2043 or 2143, which in turn can be seen as before or after August 23rd, 2093, an interpretation of the second story's date), and the only definite timing is that the two events take place 50 years apart. The two parts, Diem (day) and Noctem (night), can precede or succeed one another depending on perspective, in the same way night and day would. A few hints for causality are placed in both, some reflecting opposite interpretations.