Bonstock
31-01-2005, 14:19
Charles Ste. Evremonde, the younger, entered the great Senate Hall where, years before, his uncle by the same name had stood an commanded an empire. It was a monumentous day. The Senate, in a bitterly contested race, had chosen him to be President of the Federal Republic, the first President appointed under the new, democratic constitution. Still, he was fearful. Bonstock had had many Presidents. None had died a peaceful death. Only one had lived to see his term end, only to be assasinated a few years later. The young Ste. Evremonde thought as he walked through the halls to the Senate chamber. He saw himself walking up to the podium, with the audiance clapping and a band playing "Hail to the Chief." He got up to the podium in this imagination, and waved out to the crowd. Then shot rang out, and in his mind's eye he clutched his chest before falling over dead.
He suppressed these fears as he entered the chamber. The crowd clapped their approval, as the band played "Hail to the Chief," just as in his imagination a few moments before. This is it, young Ste. Evremonde thought. If I'm not shot now, I'll make it to 100! He got up to the podium, and started smiling and waving as the band finished. The lights shone on him as if from heaven. He noticed in front of him something unusual. A teleprompter. It began flashing his speech so he could read it. He extended his arm, and pushed it down. He knew what he would say. He was calm. He was ready. He had waited his whole life to utter these words. He spoke them well.
"Thank you. My fellow Bonstocknians, today is a historic day. Finally, the Senate and People of the Federal Republic have chosen a leader. My position has been decided by ballot and majority, not by guns and bullets!"
The Senate, and audiances all over Bonstock watching on television, cheered their approval.
"We stand today on the threshold of a new era, one defined by liberty and prosperity, and by rule of the people, not of the government!"
Again, more applause.
"We have cast off the mask of tyranny, and shown the world what Bonstock really is. It is our solemn duty now to carry the light of democracy high, and all over the world."
More applause.
"Sadly, most of the world cowers below the heel of oppressive regimes. The people howel for change. A light has been lit here in Bonstock, and it will be carried around the world!"
More applause.
"Our leaders of the past have said that no majority ballot solves anything, that only blood and iron accomlpishes work. I ask them to take on look at the events of the past few weeks, and see if they still think that. Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Bonstocknians, we are now one United Federal Republic, ruled by the people, a shining beacon for the whole world to behold! Never, never again will Bonstock be ruled by tyrants. Bonstock is ready for change. The whole world is ready for change. Finally, you will have it. The whole world will have it. No tyrant can stop the progress, they can only delay it. And they will not delay it any longer! Not while I am President! Not while Bonstock is a free nation! Ladies and gentlemen, I give Bonstock back to Bonstock!" His voice resonated amongst the applause of billions, as sattelite news networks broadcasted the message all over the world. In an instant, the whole world could see the face of the new Bonstock. Ste. Evremonde was soon given the oath of office, and spent the day rallying his supporters in Port Yuko.
Sadly, there was much work to be done. Bonstock had two classes, the upper and lower. The upper lived in posh estates in the country. The lower crowded out the Port Yuko ghettos, working for minimum wage in smelly factories. Children labored all day for scraps of food. Ste. Evremonde looked at the work to be done. There was much of it, indeed.
He suppressed these fears as he entered the chamber. The crowd clapped their approval, as the band played "Hail to the Chief," just as in his imagination a few moments before. This is it, young Ste. Evremonde thought. If I'm not shot now, I'll make it to 100! He got up to the podium, and started smiling and waving as the band finished. The lights shone on him as if from heaven. He noticed in front of him something unusual. A teleprompter. It began flashing his speech so he could read it. He extended his arm, and pushed it down. He knew what he would say. He was calm. He was ready. He had waited his whole life to utter these words. He spoke them well.
"Thank you. My fellow Bonstocknians, today is a historic day. Finally, the Senate and People of the Federal Republic have chosen a leader. My position has been decided by ballot and majority, not by guns and bullets!"
The Senate, and audiances all over Bonstock watching on television, cheered their approval.
"We stand today on the threshold of a new era, one defined by liberty and prosperity, and by rule of the people, not of the government!"
Again, more applause.
"We have cast off the mask of tyranny, and shown the world what Bonstock really is. It is our solemn duty now to carry the light of democracy high, and all over the world."
More applause.
"Sadly, most of the world cowers below the heel of oppressive regimes. The people howel for change. A light has been lit here in Bonstock, and it will be carried around the world!"
More applause.
"Our leaders of the past have said that no majority ballot solves anything, that only blood and iron accomlpishes work. I ask them to take on look at the events of the past few weeks, and see if they still think that. Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Bonstocknians, we are now one United Federal Republic, ruled by the people, a shining beacon for the whole world to behold! Never, never again will Bonstock be ruled by tyrants. Bonstock is ready for change. The whole world is ready for change. Finally, you will have it. The whole world will have it. No tyrant can stop the progress, they can only delay it. And they will not delay it any longer! Not while I am President! Not while Bonstock is a free nation! Ladies and gentlemen, I give Bonstock back to Bonstock!" His voice resonated amongst the applause of billions, as sattelite news networks broadcasted the message all over the world. In an instant, the whole world could see the face of the new Bonstock. Ste. Evremonde was soon given the oath of office, and spent the day rallying his supporters in Port Yuko.
Sadly, there was much work to be done. Bonstock had two classes, the upper and lower. The upper lived in posh estates in the country. The lower crowded out the Port Yuko ghettos, working for minimum wage in smelly factories. Children labored all day for scraps of food. Ste. Evremonde looked at the work to be done. There was much of it, indeed.