17-02-2020, 02:16 AM
Whatever Gets You through the Night Pt. 20
"She only sleeps on planes.
She's tired of going nowhere.
She's in Yugoslavia,
working on a mini-series.
Suzie Lightning,
I built a world for her.
Suzie Lightning,
I need a girl from Earth."
-Warren Zevon, "Suzie Lightning
*
Contessa-In-Reggenza Maria Louisa Francesca de San Finzione sat at her desk in La Contessa's office as the camera crew set up. She remained still while the lighting people made their adjustments.
It was a skill which Princesses needed to acquire early on for times like these. The ability to hold still for extended periods while makeup and camera people worked to put you, literally, in the best light possible. Moments when, even if you have nothing to add to the discussion, the Princess STILL must draw every eye and camera in the room.
Maria absolutely had things to say. Hence addressing the nation. They finished their job and she watched the monitor of the live feed of State Channel 2, the English Channel, upon which her address would be broadcast; while waiting for the lights above it to turn green, indicating that she was on the air. Demographics had shown that native English-speakers tended to be those most in need of reassurance. So, although Italian was Maria's native language, it was most efficient for her to address the nation in English and let the other Channels translate it for the rest of The People. One of the main complaints of American tourists was that they sometimes had to press "2" for English in San Finzione.
The show in progress was some daytime soap opera she'd heard friends enjoyed, but she was too busy to watch much television. If she felt like a night at home, she'd catch "È Divertente Solo Se Conosci L'Italiano," but not much else. She heard them talk about the show often enough to guess which actor was which character and imagined a couple of her friends would be calling later; upset about having it interrupted like she was about to do. She'd buy them a drink and remind them that Great-Grandmama had been in a cave-in and she had to tell the nation SOMETHING!
Maria was unworried about her, though, thanks to an earlier call from Susan Bailey. Great-Grandmama's plan was crazy, but thanks to Suzy-Q, Maria knew she was relatively safe. Not only was Maria aware of the truth about Helen and her friends' power and her weird connection with Susan, they'd all agreed that Maria was the next person worthy of teaching their ability. Helen was concerned about piling too much onto Maria with her also learning to handle the burdens of rulership for the day she was no longer simply In-Reggenza and wanted to give her a couple of years to live as normal a life as someone like Maria could first.
Someone for whom every television, radio, and official live news feed in San Finzione was interrupted. Those watching video media saw the screen fill with the flag of the Sovereign County and Independent Nation-State of San Finzione. It was followed by an instrumental version of "Glory to San Finzione," over which, an announcer informed viewers and listeners that programming was being interrupted for an important address from Contessa-In-Reggenza Maria. He explained that they'd now be going live to her office at Castle Finzione. After those words, the three green lights came on, telling Maria that she was now being heard and seen on all media. She looked into the camera.
"People of San Finzione." She told it. "I know that this is not the first time today that circumstances have caused your government to interrupt your busy lives. So, I will update you about the news bulletin you saw earlier and let you return to them. I also have something to ask of you; but first, the details.
"Half an hour ago, there was an explosion and fire at the San Finzione Caverns. There is a movie currently being made chronicling an important event in San Finzione's history. A scene in the caverns was being filmed today. This explosion was not a result of filming and the main entrance tunnel has collapsed. In addition to the film crew below, our own Contessa Helena was visiting the set and is with them. She is reported unharmed and there have been injuries amongst the crew, but they are safe. Medics are on standby as workers break through the obstruction. We cannot say how long it will take to retrieve them, but we expect it soon."
Maria sat back in her chair, her arms opening and coming to rest on the chair arms. A gesture meant to convey the honesty she was about to give them.
"It would be easy for me to lie to you. To tell you that this WAS simply an error in filming caused by special effects misused underground. That there was nothing nefarious involved, that accidents like this happen all the time, and that you should go about enjoying this lovely sunny San Finzione day and resume normal programming without concern. The time when such things were an option is past. It is time to level with you all."
A mugshot of Heinrich Dietz filled the screen.
"This man's name is Heinrich Dietz. He is a terrorist; with known ties to Nazi hate groups, and he is a ruthless killer, preferring to target those whom the Nazis regarded as enemies. San Finzione has always proudly claimed membership on that list. Whatever his motives, he has committed murder twice in our country. They tried to kill more this day. Therefore, I formally declare Heinrich Dietz and those working with him Enemies of San Finzione."
"She only sleeps on planes.
She's tired of going nowhere.
She's in Yugoslavia,
working on a mini-series.
Suzie Lightning,
I built a world for her.
Suzie Lightning,
I need a girl from Earth."
-Warren Zevon, "Suzie Lightning
*
Contessa-In-Reggenza Maria Louisa Francesca de San Finzione sat at her desk in La Contessa's office as the camera crew set up. She remained still while the lighting people made their adjustments.
It was a skill which Princesses needed to acquire early on for times like these. The ability to hold still for extended periods while makeup and camera people worked to put you, literally, in the best light possible. Moments when, even if you have nothing to add to the discussion, the Princess STILL must draw every eye and camera in the room.
Maria absolutely had things to say. Hence addressing the nation. They finished their job and she watched the monitor of the live feed of State Channel 2, the English Channel, upon which her address would be broadcast; while waiting for the lights above it to turn green, indicating that she was on the air. Demographics had shown that native English-speakers tended to be those most in need of reassurance. So, although Italian was Maria's native language, it was most efficient for her to address the nation in English and let the other Channels translate it for the rest of The People. One of the main complaints of American tourists was that they sometimes had to press "2" for English in San Finzione.
The show in progress was some daytime soap opera she'd heard friends enjoyed, but she was too busy to watch much television. If she felt like a night at home, she'd catch "È Divertente Solo Se Conosci L'Italiano," but not much else. She heard them talk about the show often enough to guess which actor was which character and imagined a couple of her friends would be calling later; upset about having it interrupted like she was about to do. She'd buy them a drink and remind them that Great-Grandmama had been in a cave-in and she had to tell the nation SOMETHING!
Maria was unworried about her, though, thanks to an earlier call from Susan Bailey. Great-Grandmama's plan was crazy, but thanks to Suzy-Q, Maria knew she was relatively safe. Not only was Maria aware of the truth about Helen and her friends' power and her weird connection with Susan, they'd all agreed that Maria was the next person worthy of teaching their ability. Helen was concerned about piling too much onto Maria with her also learning to handle the burdens of rulership for the day she was no longer simply In-Reggenza and wanted to give her a couple of years to live as normal a life as someone like Maria could first.
Someone for whom every television, radio, and official live news feed in San Finzione was interrupted. Those watching video media saw the screen fill with the flag of the Sovereign County and Independent Nation-State of San Finzione. It was followed by an instrumental version of "Glory to San Finzione," over which, an announcer informed viewers and listeners that programming was being interrupted for an important address from Contessa-In-Reggenza Maria. He explained that they'd now be going live to her office at Castle Finzione. After those words, the three green lights came on, telling Maria that she was now being heard and seen on all media. She looked into the camera.
"People of San Finzione." She told it. "I know that this is not the first time today that circumstances have caused your government to interrupt your busy lives. So, I will update you about the news bulletin you saw earlier and let you return to them. I also have something to ask of you; but first, the details.
"Half an hour ago, there was an explosion and fire at the San Finzione Caverns. There is a movie currently being made chronicling an important event in San Finzione's history. A scene in the caverns was being filmed today. This explosion was not a result of filming and the main entrance tunnel has collapsed. In addition to the film crew below, our own Contessa Helena was visiting the set and is with them. She is reported unharmed and there have been injuries amongst the crew, but they are safe. Medics are on standby as workers break through the obstruction. We cannot say how long it will take to retrieve them, but we expect it soon."
Maria sat back in her chair, her arms opening and coming to rest on the chair arms. A gesture meant to convey the honesty she was about to give them.
"It would be easy for me to lie to you. To tell you that this WAS simply an error in filming caused by special effects misused underground. That there was nothing nefarious involved, that accidents like this happen all the time, and that you should go about enjoying this lovely sunny San Finzione day and resume normal programming without concern. The time when such things were an option is past. It is time to level with you all."
A mugshot of Heinrich Dietz filled the screen.
"This man's name is Heinrich Dietz. He is a terrorist; with known ties to Nazi hate groups, and he is a ruthless killer, preferring to target those whom the Nazis regarded as enemies. San Finzione has always proudly claimed membership on that list. Whatever his motives, he has committed murder twice in our country. They tried to kill more this day. Therefore, I formally declare Heinrich Dietz and those working with him Enemies of San Finzione."
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