NationStates Jolt Archive


In Spite of Ambition...

Southeastasia
25-12-2007, 06:51
In Spite of Ambition…

December. A month of the year generally associated with the cold and frosty. That is, if you came from the Northern Hemisphere and had snowfall. But however, down in Southeast Asia, even if you did not get snowfall, did not mean you did not get cold. Depending on where you lived in certain countries, in particular locations of the world, you could get cool and strong winds. Like in Singapore, for example. For the first half of the year, you would get humidity and plenty of monsoons. For the second half of the year, you would get cool breezes. Such was the consequence for being very near the equator.

It was Christmas Eve that day. A cool, windy breeze was being summoned. Actually, it was a bit stronger than the breeze. It was more like a series of whirlwinds that were chilly. In a continent with seasons similar to North America, the poor would be suffering relentlessly—the snowfall and the winds contributing to frostbite, and the poor would be lacking funds. Suffering. Dying. Not being able to afford a source of heat, to be provided warmth with in their own household. An invisible hangman’s noose, only not with strangulation—with cold as the weapon, killing—in North America, people die on the streets due to an inability to afford or access heated shelter. The United Sovereign Nations of Southeast Asia might have increasingly and increasingly smaller and smaller class divides thanks to a growing middle class.

One character was especially fortunate that he did not have to deal with such travesties. The war may have provided more people with opportunities to escape the unpleasant hole of unemployment. Unfortunately for some, that didn’t work. Some were unqualified simply because of inhibiting genetic characteristic — flat feet, for example. Others had diminished capacity, and were disqualified for that reason. Others did not meet educational requirement (they had to have at least attended high school, but even then the Federal-Parliamentarian Armed Services favored high school graduates), and for one reason or another, found themselves on the streets. It would have been character-building for that particular individual to lead his troops out in the cold—but it wasn’t necessary, and, to quote Theodore Roosevelt: “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.”

That leader needed a break. He couldn’t constantly be on guard. He was only human at the end of the day. Right now, he was self-reflecting, consuming a bowl of chicken soup, thinking of the suffering that was going to come ahead in the dining hall of the Emerald Executive Recluse. International organizations and humanitarian aid was coming, and so was international support in military and financial aid…but he couldn’t depend on them. The country couldn’t depend on them at the end of the day. Neither could the unfortunate people, suffering through out this winter. At the end of the day, it was mandated that all depend on their own person.

But, nobody could always be their one-man army. Against a collective, one sole individual cannot overcome...generally. You couldn’t always lead yourself. After all, even that leader was ultimately at the end of the day, human. One needed emotional comfort and support—and the emotional aspect of humanity was something that was vital to all individuals, the leader included. Emotional support was coming. It was a surprise that one would not expect, especially since it came from somebody who had tense competition with.

Outside, a VLT Automotive Group truck was doing its rounds. Few in the Emerald Executive Recluse knew of this. Not even the leader who was in particular. A gift from his very own rival, and his own relative. It looked somewhat ridiculous—the truck had a container on it’s trailer, a monstrous red ribbon flanking it’s sides, finalizing itself in an eloquent knot on the very top of itself. The wrapping paper which was on the box was white, and decorated with Christmas trees. Some were of the Norfolk Island Pine Tree kind, others were Blue Spruces, and others were of miscellaneous Christmas tree breeds. But regardless of the kind, the purpose was clear—they represented the time of Christmas.

Passing the security check at the main entrance of the Emerald Executive Recluse, which had been informed by a superior—one of the few individuals in the light—the truck made it all the way toward the main door. Then, the leader inside was reformed by an aide. Inquisitive, he made it all the way down. Down the steps. All the way down, leaving his bowl behind, but not his hot chocolate—which was still warm and full of spiritual hope, making him upbeat.

At last, he made it down. The truck, a VLT model, had been facing the rear. The truck driver had gotten out.

“Merry Christmas,” spoke the smiling truck driver, advancing over to the man with what looked like a remote control in his right hand, extended, “Mr. Prime Minister. But first, allow us to unwrap it.”

A surprise gift…I wonder what could it be? The Prime Minister thought, watching the VLT employee (helped by a few others) remove the ribbon and the wrapping paper.

Once they were done, he pressed the button. All barriers surrounding the gift fell out in an orderly fashion, the wood clanging on the ground. It revealed the limited edition collection automobile product from the Van Luxemburgian Transportation Automotive Group—the VLT L8 model, the coupe version. It was a navy-blue color, with a whitish interior design.

“Wow…” the Prime Minister gasped. “Who gave this to me?”

“I think you will find out on the windscreen,” responded the driver, who pointed at the windscreen of the VLT L8, where a white envelope awaited him.

“Could you please hold this for me,” the Prime Minister asked, passing his hot chocolate cup to the truck driver.

“Certainly,” responded the VLT employee.

“Thank you very much,” smiled the grateful Prime Minister, “I appreciate it.”

“No problem and you’re welcome, Mr. Prime Minister.”

The Prime Minister walked over, climbing onto the trailer and reaching over the windscreen, he picked it up. He opened it, placing the envelope onto the navy-blue bonnet and unfolded the neat paper. It was the distinct logo of an oval-shaped Earth, and the words “EURO GROUP” inscribed in the middle, rectangular sections surrounding the words on the top, with the Office of the Chief Executive Officer’s address.

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

In spite of our rivalry, in spite of our mutual epically-proportioned ambitions, in spite of the fact I supported the opposition parties in past General Elections…I’m still your brother. It is with this gift, that I wish you a Merry Christmas, and a better New Year. If not victory against the enemies of our country.

With Love,
Yao Wei

The Prime Minister sighed, knowing that there would be political consequences if word got out. But however, given the fact that the press had respect for him, and the fact that there were camera restrictions, it probably would not. The Prime Minister knew that it might even have been a deliberately planted double-edged sword. But he knew, that in spite of it all, he loved his brother, and vice-versa.

“Merry Christmas,” said the Prime Minister, “Merry Christmas indeed.”

[OOC: Kudos to Van Luxemburg for allowing me permission to use his company for this post. It's my little thing about the Holiday Season. I wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year, folks!]
Ottoman Khaif
26-12-2007, 03:29
OOC: Aye happy holidays..and nice post
Aequatio
26-12-2007, 03:43
OOC: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all as well. Nice piece of writing, SEA.
Southeastasia
26-12-2007, 03:57
OOC: Aye happy holidays..and nice post
OOC: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all as well. Nice piece of writing, SEA.
[OOC: Aye, thank you. Merry Christmas to you two as well!]