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June 8th, 1960: Paris, France
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All seemed well in Paris, it was a lovely June evening and many Parisians were enjoying themselves, wining and dining, going on cute dates with their loved ones or just enjoying the scenery. However, while they went about their evening they'd have no idea of the turmoil that was rapidly approaching them and their nation in the coming days. Days in which the new heroes of the republic would rise and their place in history secured.
A thunder of footsteps and yelling broke out in the meeting room as a multitude of suit clad men briskly left the room without looking back, leaving nothing but shocked expressions and anger in their wake. President Villeneuve was immobilized with rage. Face taut with anger, he took a deep breath and recomposed himself, turning to another member of the assembly that hadn't walked out.
"What the fuck do they think they're doing?" He asked in a scarily authoritative tone no one had ever heard him speak in.
"I-I don't know sir.." Stammered the young assemblyman.
"Find out what they're doing then. I don't know who they think they are, but there will be severe repercussions for leaving the most important assembly of the year," said Villeneuve as irritated as can be. The poor assemblyman went on his way to fetch those who left, yet he returned unsuccessful several minutes later. They were nowhere to be found within the assembly building. The President ultimately called the meeting back into order. Decisions needed to be made, and if those men wished not to participate over some petty political agenda, who was he to stop them? The meeting continued for just a mere hour longer with hardly any debate, the majority of those who remained were highly in favor of the proposals that the Anarchiste and Travailleurs Avant parties were so adamantly against.
Villeneuve and his allies in the Parti Socialiste, as well as the Fête Populaire Révolutionnaire would not stand for such disrespect and insubordination from supposed statesmen. The protectors of the future. As the meeting came to a close, the president addressed the assemblymen:
"Comrades, today has been simultaneously a success and a tragedy. A success because we all share a vision for a France that serves not only it's own people, but all people across the world. We shall become a shining beacon of freedom for the rest of the world! However, before we can accomplish such a great task we must deal with the cowardly assemblymen who today have done their nation a great disservice. Unwilling to communicate or cooperate, these are not men fit to make decisions for their country. It is with great regret that I must suggest to you all that we either see these men in another meeting in two days time, or we relieve them of their post and hold elections for their assembly seats in three weeks time. That is all, now go enjoy your evening for there is great work to do in the coming days."
Jacques, very satisfied with his little speech, got up and walked towards the exit of the room whilst being applauded by the representatives. He had managed to compose himself enough to speak but he knew he needed to get some fresh air and quickly. Those damn anarchists and moderates were really being a thorn in his side. He was quite sick of it. He spent about twenty minutes outside, and returned to his office.
He returned to his office with a surprise. Prime Minister Ferdinand Girard was waiting for him, comfortably seated outside the room and lost in a newspaper as he usually was. Jacques was late, but he didn't know that. Without so much as looking up, Ferdinand began speaking.
"How was your emergency meeting?"
"It was awful," began Jacques in a saddened tone. "The anarchists and moderates walked out, they refuse to work with us."
"How unfortunate. They should know by now that they can't stop us from giving the people what they want. They wouldn't compromise at all you said?"
"Not at all," the President said as he walked into his office and took his seat behind his desk. He suddenly remembered he needed to ask for a more comfortable chair and a larger desk. Well, that's neither here nor there. "They've refused our proposals for the past two months and they won't budge no matter how many times we change them." He continued as he lightly puffed on a cigar.
Ferdinand had taken the seat in front of Jacques and listened intently. "I assume they still take the most issue with our emergency war plans for Belgium and the general rearmament, right?" Asked Ferdinand knowingly.
"Correct. We've made our case many times. Yet, they can't seem to put the interests of our people, and our brothers and sisters across the border over their own petty agenda. Quite honestly, it sickens me. Those people need our help."
"I know. The age of monarchs has long passed if you ask me," said the PM smugly. "How do you intend to deal with this situation?"
"I told the assemblymen of my intentions to host elections in the coming weeks if the anarchists and moderates don't sign our proposals. I also think that we need to amend the rules as well. Unanimous votes are impossible to achieve, you know."
"I agree wholeheartedly. It's rules like those that'll keep us from doing our jobs. This republic's founders definitely missed the mark on several ideas. Rectifying them won't be an issue though."
"Agreed. In the mean time, I need to continue drafting our ultimatum for the Belgian king. I'm sure he'll be wise enough to understand what's at stake; although we may need to actually fight," Jacques stated in an ever so slightly concerned tone.
"Don't worry about it. We'll defeat the monarchists if we must. They can't stand against their own people."
"You're right. There's no reason to lack any confidence here..."
"Precisely. Everything will be fine. Now, if you'll excuse me; I have a family and some cognac to go back to for the rest of the evening," Ferdinand said as he ascended from his seat and left the office to a simple "Take care," from the President.
Jacques knew he that he ought to call it a day soon, although he figured he could at least continue looking over his draft for the ultimatum to the Belgians. Feeling satisfied with his authoring thus far, he severely doubted that there would be much need for any revision to the letter, which reads as follows:
"Dear Baudouin, your Excellency and King of the Belgians; it was has come to the French people's attention that in recent times your policies have left your own people suffering, disenfranchised and feeling defeated and powerless. However, that is not the case for much longer. It is with this letter that the French nation declares its intention to come to the aid of the oppressed all over the world. As such, we hereby offer you a choice. Acquiesce to not only your own people's demands, but also our own which are listed simply as seen here:
1. Repeal the national ban on trade unions and worker's organizations.
2. Release all political prisoners associated with said ban.
3. Abdicate the throne and form a Belgian republic with free elections that all parties may participate in.
If these conditions are not met within a week's time after receiving them then the French Republic has no choice but to forcefully come to the aid of our Belgian brothers and sisters who tireless work under your abusive regime. Of course, we hope that such an event will not come to pass. However, if it must then we will have no choice but to declare a state of war between our nations. We eagerly await your most Excellent response and hope that your wise judgement shall lead your people to prosperity and safety as well as liberation.
Still feeling incredibly confident in his authorship, he finally decided to call it a day. It's best to turn in early he thought. The coming days are incredibly important and a strong leader needs to well, maintain his strength. Especially in the face of imminent danger.
June 8th, 1960: Paris, France
--------------------------------------------
All seemed well in Paris, it was a lovely June evening and many Parisians were enjoying themselves, wining and dining, going on cute dates with their loved ones or just enjoying the scenery. However, while they went about their evening they'd have no idea of the turmoil that was rapidly approaching them and their nation in the coming days. Days in which the new heroes of the republic would rise and their place in history secured.
A thunder of footsteps and yelling broke out in the meeting room as a multitude of suit clad men briskly left the room without looking back, leaving nothing but shocked expressions and anger in their wake. President Villeneuve was immobilized with rage. Face taut with anger, he took a deep breath and recomposed himself, turning to another member of the assembly that hadn't walked out.
"What the fuck do they think they're doing?" He asked in a scarily authoritative tone no one had ever heard him speak in.
"I-I don't know sir.." Stammered the young assemblyman.
"Find out what they're doing then. I don't know who they think they are, but there will be severe repercussions for leaving the most important assembly of the year," said Villeneuve as irritated as can be. The poor assemblyman went on his way to fetch those who left, yet he returned unsuccessful several minutes later. They were nowhere to be found within the assembly building. The President ultimately called the meeting back into order. Decisions needed to be made, and if those men wished not to participate over some petty political agenda, who was he to stop them? The meeting continued for just a mere hour longer with hardly any debate, the majority of those who remained were highly in favor of the proposals that the Anarchiste and Travailleurs Avant parties were so adamantly against.
Villeneuve and his allies in the Parti Socialiste, as well as the Fête Populaire Révolutionnaire would not stand for such disrespect and insubordination from supposed statesmen. The protectors of the future. As the meeting came to a close, the president addressed the assemblymen:
"Comrades, today has been simultaneously a success and a tragedy. A success because we all share a vision for a France that serves not only it's own people, but all people across the world. We shall become a shining beacon of freedom for the rest of the world! However, before we can accomplish such a great task we must deal with the cowardly assemblymen who today have done their nation a great disservice. Unwilling to communicate or cooperate, these are not men fit to make decisions for their country. It is with great regret that I must suggest to you all that we either see these men in another meeting in two days time, or we relieve them of their post and hold elections for their assembly seats in three weeks time. That is all, now go enjoy your evening for there is great work to do in the coming days."
Jacques, very satisfied with his little speech, got up and walked towards the exit of the room whilst being applauded by the representatives. He had managed to compose himself enough to speak but he knew he needed to get some fresh air and quickly. Those damn anarchists and moderates were really being a thorn in his side. He was quite sick of it. He spent about twenty minutes outside, and returned to his office.
He returned to his office with a surprise. Prime Minister Ferdinand Girard was waiting for him, comfortably seated outside the room and lost in a newspaper as he usually was. Jacques was late, but he didn't know that. Without so much as looking up, Ferdinand began speaking.
"How was your emergency meeting?"
"It was awful," began Jacques in a saddened tone. "The anarchists and moderates walked out, they refuse to work with us."
"How unfortunate. They should know by now that they can't stop us from giving the people what they want. They wouldn't compromise at all you said?"
"Not at all," the President said as he walked into his office and took his seat behind his desk. He suddenly remembered he needed to ask for a more comfortable chair and a larger desk. Well, that's neither here nor there. "They've refused our proposals for the past two months and they won't budge no matter how many times we change them." He continued as he lightly puffed on a cigar.
Ferdinand had taken the seat in front of Jacques and listened intently. "I assume they still take the most issue with our emergency war plans for Belgium and the general rearmament, right?" Asked Ferdinand knowingly.
"Correct. We've made our case many times. Yet, they can't seem to put the interests of our people, and our brothers and sisters across the border over their own petty agenda. Quite honestly, it sickens me. Those people need our help."
"I know. The age of monarchs has long passed if you ask me," said the PM smugly. "How do you intend to deal with this situation?"
"I told the assemblymen of my intentions to host elections in the coming weeks if the anarchists and moderates don't sign our proposals. I also think that we need to amend the rules as well. Unanimous votes are impossible to achieve, you know."
"I agree wholeheartedly. It's rules like those that'll keep us from doing our jobs. This republic's founders definitely missed the mark on several ideas. Rectifying them won't be an issue though."
"Agreed. In the mean time, I need to continue drafting our ultimatum for the Belgian king. I'm sure he'll be wise enough to understand what's at stake; although we may need to actually fight," Jacques stated in an ever so slightly concerned tone.
"Don't worry about it. We'll defeat the monarchists if we must. They can't stand against their own people."
"You're right. There's no reason to lack any confidence here..."
"Precisely. Everything will be fine. Now, if you'll excuse me; I have a family and some cognac to go back to for the rest of the evening," Ferdinand said as he ascended from his seat and left the office to a simple "Take care," from the President.
Jacques knew he that he ought to call it a day soon, although he figured he could at least continue looking over his draft for the ultimatum to the Belgians. Feeling satisfied with his authoring thus far, he severely doubted that there would be much need for any revision to the letter, which reads as follows:
"Dear Baudouin, your Excellency and King of the Belgians; it was has come to the French people's attention that in recent times your policies have left your own people suffering, disenfranchised and feeling defeated and powerless. However, that is not the case for much longer. It is with this letter that the French nation declares its intention to come to the aid of the oppressed all over the world. As such, we hereby offer you a choice. Acquiesce to not only your own people's demands, but also our own which are listed simply as seen here:
1. Repeal the national ban on trade unions and worker's organizations.
2. Release all political prisoners associated with said ban.
3. Abdicate the throne and form a Belgian republic with free elections that all parties may participate in.
If these conditions are not met within a week's time after receiving them then the French Republic has no choice but to forcefully come to the aid of our Belgian brothers and sisters who tireless work under your abusive regime. Of course, we hope that such an event will not come to pass. However, if it must then we will have no choice but to declare a state of war between our nations. We eagerly await your most Excellent response and hope that your wise judgement shall lead your people to prosperity and safety as well as liberation.
Still feeling incredibly confident in his authorship, he finally decided to call it a day. It's best to turn in early he thought. The coming days are incredibly important and a strong leader needs to well, maintain his strength. Especially in the face of imminent danger.
