Yes, this stands up fine one its own. There is just enough back story implicit in the conversations to add to the intro draw a fascinating picture of a world at a time of change and possible impending crisis.
The characters are well drawn too, their different perspectives and attitudes clear, as are their commonalities, and those are not only in the past. This is very good. So if you are writing it for NaNo, we can expect a few more snippets, yes? *hopes*