The island of Whimerey is home to many people who work on the mainland and commute daily aboard one of the W&W Ferry Company's vessels. Here the Lucy Carlotta ties up at the deep water end of Wittermouth's incredibly long, tall and slender pier and passengers swarm ashore. These particular commuters are mostly officials at the Department of Metaphysical Vicissitudes, which is situated in a back street just off the waterfront. The gentlemen's briefcases travel separately, in the smart little steam launch Amy. They will be taken to the department by hand cart and delivered to appropriate desks sometime before lunch, thus giving the officials ample time to savour a leisurely morning coffee and peruse the newspapers before beginning the day's labours.