Break the rules

Life Under Dictatorship

Great clumps of people cramped the city, making commotion which would be inaudible to even those who they were speaking to. The buildings in the city were simple and basically identical. Glass buildings a few metres off from a skyscraper. They had either metal or cement paved around the glass, usually in a cold steel grey. Most had simple metal doors. While others might have revolving doors if they were part of a rich enough company. These building is which would be decent hospitality for these clumps. They didn't have much choice to hate them though, that would be a simple year imprisonment at the least.

Though as bland and simple the city sounds the towns are surely worse. Footpaths clashing with grass parks or tree sanctuary, usually untouched except when important visitors come. Small brick cottages and cement apartments for the small population. Bridges would cross over the rivers, seeming like they were filled with poison acid by an oblivious crosser. Small shops would be dotted along streets, providing just about everything the citizens need to survive and live a life. Of course the shop size and contents could never be matched to those of the city. The folk there are rather humble and welcoming, yet there's something in their eyes which makes you feel like the humble act may not mean trust. There are barely any clumps, besides if there was an unlikely visit from the "Lord", which would cause an explosion of pushing and shoving as the sight of such a man is quite an honour for them.

But the man in power would never settle for the city nor the town. For a ruler of people's speech, looks, education and thoughts you wouldn't just settle for anything simple and equal. No, you would much rather barricade yourself into a massive castle like house and spend the days lounging around while you gaze at people of lower class work their hearts out.  Well, that's what seems fitting for every Lord. There was Lord Christopher, who was as sweet as sugar itself, who rather enjoyed the large living space. Then there was Lord Charles, kind hearted and compassionate, not even considering such and idea. And finally Lord Lawrence, the most gentle and caring Lord, who wouldn't dare bring up the ice in fear of a ruined reputation. Though the past leaders must never be spoken of unless you'd like to end your life in the most painful way. Not even Lord Lawrence, Charles or Christopher would offer to free somebody from the death penalty. A penalty which has become very uncommon in the present, even if the current Lord is the most selfish and manipulative one.

Outcasts and rebels may live among the civilised population, but their minority would die out if they were to speak up of be discovered. So most live quietly or alone, in deep thought of better world of differences and a point of living. That bring us to 3 woman; Stephanie, Tia and Emma. They are part of the few rebels, though have fortunately gone unnoticed by society. Though that doesn't make them less outraged or different from everyone else. They all live in the country, Tia and Stephanie having small and cheap houses and Emma living in an average sized and priced house.

Tia has straight brown hair with tints of blonde, which goes down to her shoulders. She has a small amount of freckles on her nose, otherwise she is pale. She has a hot and quick temper which cracks like a whip.
Stephanie's hair covers to half of her back in its sandy blonde colour. She has hypnotic hazel eyes which is a feature that is highly bragged about by herself. As much as people hate to hear the rambling on about her eyes, they really couldn't help but have a guilty feel of jealousy over them. Her slightly tanned skin brings out her eyes in a phenomenal way. She is generally cheerful, though is known to not think and blurt out anything that comes to mind.
Emma is like the centre of the group, the person who is the glue which pieces the friends together. She has hair as dark as an oak tree just below shoulder length. Her face is freckled on her nose, cheeks and slightly one the forehead. She has a lovely tan, which she always remarks is just simple and not comparable to Stephanie's. She is at average height for a woman her age. She is compassionate at times but more so eager, her open mind full of possibilities can be to much to handle for outsiders of the group. All together though she is well respected like a leader by the group.

The sun was looking down, providing a tolerable amount of heat, blended with the cool breeze it made it a splendid day. It was just before noon on a mid Autumn day. Most were occupying themselves in activities related to the weather. Raking up leaves, clipping bushes, water plants, baking goods for lunch and doing their chosen career. It was rather peaceful in the town and even the city folk would agree it is much more pleasant than the commotion of the city. For it was such a nice day Stephanie, Emma and Tia were sitting by the "Pond of Past and Present Lords" occupying themselves with conversation about various topics, all separate and unrelated from the one before. Then a conversation came up, nothing like any of the ones they had that day. It was brought up by Emma, right after a joke from Tia which left them laughing until their sides were squeezing in and aching.
"You know girls, have you ever thought about how life would be without dictatorship? Imagine the village and the city living in peace and freedom," Emma said dreamily.
"Emma, we've talked about a better world and how bad dictatorship is in the odd chance we are alone without the cops all-seeing eye. But never have we combined the two topics," Tia responded.
"I know. Even if we have found many topics to talk about, ours today being an example, imagine being able to say whatever you like without fear of being imprisoned, tortured or executed. It seems like a perfect setting to raise children, live a normal life and be cheerful," Emma stated.
"You know, you are right. It does seem dreamy, yet impossible to have here," Stephanie replied. "Our parents would never let us move away, we'd be punished dearly by them if we brought it up. Even I think the police would punish us in leaving."
"You're right. It doesn't mean we can't picture a better world," Emma said, before quickly trying to change the topic before a debate broke out. But still the thought tended to creep it's way back into someone's mind then and again.

Emma's house wasn't particularly the nicest created, yet it wasn't near as bad as those of the south, which were generally scraps of metal and bricks imported from China. It was made with tanned bricks neatly held together with pearly white cement. The interior was sweet and simple, nothing too in your face. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and whatever else they might need were all included, with plenty of room to spare. On this particular day the dining table was more furnished than normal, being decorated with a lace tablecloth and floral arrangements, accompanied by China dinnerware, crystal glassware and sterling silver cutlery. Emma's mother, who had spent over an hour trying to perfect the arrangement, wouldn't let a speck of dust come near it until 8:00, when her guest arrives.

"Oh please! I wouldn't let you be anywhere near this house when the Lord himself is coming over. You'll be going to Aunt Lina's 3 hours beforehand so I can finish the preparation of dinner in peace," remarked Emma's mother.
"Can I go to Tia's or Stephanie's place instead? Aunt Lina can be a bore. Besides, she's on the verge of death, she even said so herself," Emma replied.
"If you can arrange it before 4:00 then be my guest," Emma's mother said, obviously trying to get Emma to leave sooner so she could finalise her dinner party for 2.

The dinner went well, Emma wasn't told a thing about what happened but it was blatantly obvious on her mother's face that it had gone down well. She ended up going to Stephanie's and talked for hours about her mother, dictatorship, her dreams of travelling, the Lord, her life goals and then back to dictatorship. Stephanie, who just enjoyed the company, sat there listening for those who many hours and only got a few tiny chances to speak her own opinions.