The galleria, now being in the city's 'Green Zone', fell under the ownership of Envy. A masked revolutionary known to all and sundry as Aequalitas and nothing more. He had reconditioned the lavish mall into a vast audience chamber. There were elaborate banners draping from the food court and red carpets directing the path of supplicants. This he had done for two reasons.
Firstly - over the past week there had been a steadily dwindling number of supplies. Trade with Jump City had been on the decline ever since the wider world took notice of the coup. With the internationally agreed government on the out, the other countries had to think twice about dealing with this organisation that had once been denounced as criminals. With nothing to sell the mall was a superfluous reminder of luxuries passed. It had to be rebranded.
Secondly - with the fleet and drastic changes, many people were unnerved or outright defiant. Envy understood the signs of civil disobedience well. He was an expert on the subject. Left to itself this 'regime' he was imitating would crumble within the month. The people needed reassurances. They needed honeyed words in their ear. They needed to think of themselves.
The ground floor was packed with people from every household of his districts. It was an open event. The dictator of their province had deigned to speak to them all. Envy, in his usual garb, strode up along the edge of an elevated balcony, arms akimbo. He was flanked by a half dozen sketchy looking men. Thugs he had promoted to his secret police-force. A group he called the Protectorate.
"Silence my consociates. Silence there. I must address the concerns of those at the back as well."
"Yes. You few berate me because you are angry. Anger is good. It shows you care. But hear my words first. Then yours shall matter tenfold."
"I requested your attendance today, fellow men, because there are many who believe we are not working for the better. That we went down the wrong path. That we lost our way. Must we live in fear of uncertainty? When summarising takes not but a moment?"
"As you can see there is new law in this land. It is true that a band of free-thinkers have risen up and dethroned the war-mongering analysts of prior government. And yes, some did this for selfish reasons. For images of self-aggrandisement. But you will not find such profiteering here."
"Some may know I have challenged authority in recent past. My ardent belief is that we are all equal. We need not give power to slaughterers for fear of them. We need not rely on metahuman intervention to uphold our peace. There need be no divide called rich or poor. Never a technical marvel nor sorcerer supreme. Only You and Us."
"Now, those familiar with an idea called Communism know this dream does not come free. There is often a great perishing of economy when divided fairly. We will struggle with this too. This mall itself is a testament to commerce now gone. The nations of the world see us under occupation. They will try to cruelly deny us the life essentials. We will undergo hardship for a time."
"For this reason we will not squander our wealth. I have secured us food to see us fed, fuel to keep us warm, weapons to defend our person. Where as those other districts are wasteful with their wares we shall be ever mindful. And for this there must be a kind of sacrifice."
"When word comes of our plenty, when our neighbours struggle, their citizens will flock to us. They will demand the same that I offer you. More food, more drink, more luxuries. And in complying with that demand we will run out sooner. You will run out sooner. To take in a beggar is to deny your child food madam, and I will not ask that of you."
"You are first and foremost, my compatriots, I will prevent this immigration on principle. No parasite of welfare shall enter our zone to benefit off of your hard work. To ensure this there shall be built a wall. A barrier to prevent the outsiders from stealing into our sanctuary in the dead of night. And I ask in fairness that every family contribute to this endeavour."
"Not to contribute with money or knowledge, for that was the old and failed way, but one person from every household actively getting their hands dirty. I ask of you all an honest day's work. Who can say fairer than that? I too will be out there. Side-by-side we shall erect the monument that will make this nation great again."
"Now. You may be wondering what of the old and infirm? How can they contribute as much as me being sickly? It is a difficult question. They must contribute same as all. Which is why with the heaviest heart I put to you this next law."
"There will be people out there desperate for our treasures. And to turn them aside utterly would be wrong. They will always be a drain on our resources. Unless. Unless we commission them to serve the old and infirm of our society. On their behalf they will contribute. And in return earn a token of our wealth. These charity cases could earn their keep by being sent to the wall for a household. Especially those who could not make it themselves. And here the balance is maintained."
"Yet in our kindness the world will point and call this... They will call this slavery. But it is not! Silence! Slavery is the denial of life prospects. It is cruel and barbaric. These live-in workers will just be another one of the family. No different to care-givers or an au-pear."
"Is there a chance this system could be abused? I'm sure. But I also believe in my fellow man not to fall into this trap. To treat them with respect and decency. Look at yourself and ask if this is not true. Are you blessed with basic humanity? Of course you are - you and by extension your neighbours will not wrong these people who put their well-being in your hands."
"These will be the founding principles of our just society. Ours is the plan that will persevere in contrast to the ruin around us. We may one day absorb the abandoned lands of others and come to be a nation to be envied."
"All it will take from you is some small endurance and what you have always given - your honest effort. Yes! The cheats and freeloaders will be chased out. The affluent - humbled. The ambitious - pacified. Our story may have started in tears, my friends, but it has a bright, bright future starting now."
"Will you save yourselves?"
There was an air in the room of 'yes, yes I will save myself' and the once hostile energy had been harnessed into a dawning sense of patriotism. The shills in the crowd applauded and hollered, showing their support. And there were not too few other people who joined in. Many were considering what had been said, evidently more palatable now. And as for the rest? They would come around when they saw they had no other choice. All it took was 51% to embrace the culture for it to be demanded of the rest.
The masked headsman bowed deferentially to the whim of the crowd. Then put out his palms to quieten them again. His job was not yet done. He loomed ominously over the railings and asked down,
"Who among you has questions I can address?"
Mon Jan 22, 2024 9:45 pm by 
Subject: Why We Must (Open) 
