The Alchemy of Nature (R.J.CoLtd. (2))

He next comes across a clearing within the clearing, a near-circle devoid of plants and machinery, only a column of granite about three metres tall. If all the wrecks scattered around had been made of stone, the adventurer realises when he sees the column, then he would suppose this place to be a ceremonial site or burial ground. But so much industrial metal? A scrapyard? No, all this had been abandoned at the same time, had shared a common purpose, whatever it was. And why are there no plants growing in this centre, this concentric waste within a waste?
He walks round the column, finds a face on the other side that makes it a statue. The face has a benevolent smile, but a crafty eye. And the metal it is made of is different, not tarnished in any way. At the bottom there is a plaque:
“President of The Rolling Joint CoLtd”.
Why are there no plants here? Finally, he leaves the statue, muttering to himself:
“A man fearfully acquainted with the secrets of Nature.”
He keeps on. Maybe he can reach the city before nightfall.