The Grandfather of the Reunion

Act 1-15

From beyond the grave

Starting first memory playback with: Memory of certain day

[Briefly finishing an entry in the study instead of constructing a quick speech, Talulah and AJ enters the room, wearing formal clothes. Hosea hasn't addressed how Talulah looks good in a suit, but maybe in some other time. The old man wears a white tailored shirt, black tuxedo vest, black dress pants, and a long black suit – to strengthen the looks of a decent politician. No jewelry, no fancy additions, just a suit and tie, and maybe a few hair pomade. He's unsure of his duties, considering it's sudden and he hasn't got time to prepare, but AJ, and perhaps Talulah is there to help.]

[Hosea gestures to a seat in front, and Talulah...takes it, without addressing AJ. He coughs softly, and almost out of instinct – AJ rushes to his side to clear his airway, but he's fine.]

Talulah: "This is a really big day for all of us, Mahatma..."

Hosea: "I know..."

Talulah: *She tilts her head sideways, and leans back in the chair.* "I know this is all sudden, for you...but... I was only stating the facts—"

Hosea: "I'm not...mad at you, Talulah, it's just... I haven't figured out how I should run the city. You see... While before... Yelena and Svetlana helped me into this birthday suit, both of them came up to me... Or...maybe in private, and... Ahem, Simone...asked for me to focus my priority in Temperance's safety, which involves the military... Malik wants me to focus my priority on the growth and development of Temperance. I got two parties! And this is the reason why George Washington wanted a one party system!"

Talulah: "I understand your concern now. That is why we're here. We're here to help until you're to...make your presidential speech."

AJ: "Look, just do what any politicians from back in the day would – tell your audience what you want to hear, and you can do whatever!"

*Hosea snaps at AJ – he dislikes that tactic, and it'd make you into a giant hypocrite, which he doesn't prefer.*

Hosea: "I'm not like that, AJ! I'm just...recollecting my thoughts."

Talulah: "Don't worry, we're here to help. Now, I've done my fair reading on politics, but we're in a world where survival matters most than living, so...let's state the most practical of priorities, and you can choose...whatever priorities you desire that's...best for Temperance, and maybe you can make up your speech in the way?"

Hosea: "I'm always good in improvising, so making a speech outright is not new. Tell me, what are my options?"

Talulah: "Okay, so... After our battle with the husks, it's no joke that there won't be more problems surrounding the city that would be either more problematic than the husks, or the catastrophes harassing it. There's national security, the stability of the economy, maybe the morale of the people, or the growth of our nation – but you can only prioritise one. The others? We can still do them, but only one will be fixated the most. What should it be?"

Hosea: "Well... Morale is right out, it depends on the people. The economy... I don't think I'd like wasting bullets to buy guns that need bullets. The growth?... Over expanding is a massive problem back in the day, because people haven't heard of what a condom is. Think I'll go with National Security, may the military defend us as we sleep soundly."

Talulah: *She nods and purses her lips as she brushes her hair back.* "Solid choice. Next... We're not surrounded by other people for miles, that's for sure, and the only people here are the Riffs, Zcom, and maybe us – and maybe a bunch of other survivors out there that we haven't discovered yet. But if, say, a delegation from a different faction were to come, should we be welcoming? Or, perhaps, there's a family, a poor family, among the wreckage of Temperance that need our full attention. Or maybe...we can just take care of ourselves."