The American Depression (Hetalia)

Pilot

The war of 1914 to 1918 had left all of the world's greatest powers crippled and injured. Even ten years later, they found that they were still in need of economic recovery.

Out of all the countries, however, America felt as though he had it the worst; his stocks dropped significantly on what people have begun to call "Black Tuesday." He figured his luck couldn't get any worse.

Yet, global crisis or not, the world meeting still had to take place. If anything, it was even more important to have the world meeting.

America walked in, dressed in the nicest clothes he could afford: a tattered topcoat with wide lapels and high-rise wash slacks. Compared to most other countries, he looked pretty lousy.

He sat in his usual seat and waited for the meeting to begin. More people began pouring in, each more frustrated and exasperated that the last. Suddenly, America wasn't looking too bad compared to England and Germany. He pitied them for a moment, but changed his mind when he remembered they both owe him money.

When every seat had been filled, the meeting began. They never chose a leader, so naturally everyone decided they would talk over each other to discuss their problems.

America joined in the conversation, "politely" reminding Germany and England that they owed him a lot of money, then complaining that his stocks crashed and it was starting to get pretty dusty down in Kansas.

No one ever took him seriously; he never really expected anyone to. He knew he was annoying the heck out of them with his whining and complaining. He just wasn't ready to be taken as a serious country yet.

China decided he would lead today; he was the only large country who had not been greatly affected by the financial crisis.

"Quiet, aiya!" he yelled. "Let's talk in turns! Since everything seems to be America's fault, he can talk first."

Silence fell across the room as all eyes focused on America. He didn't know what to say. "Sorry" didn't quite seem to fit the bill here.

"Um..." he began, "people are losing jobs, and inflation... economics...yeah."

The other countries didn't expect any more from him, and America wasn't planning on giving them more either.

Several countries raised their hand. China looked and called for England to speak.

"America's financial crisis has greatly affected many of us, particularly Germany and I. It doesn't help that we are greatly indebted to him as well—"

France cut in. "It also doesn't help that you love him!"

England was furious at this, but blushed nonetheless. "Shut up, you—"

China stopped him in his tracks. "It isn't your turn, aru!"

They continued, trying to talk about economics and the inevitability of a global depression. America took mental notes, but tried to maintain the stupid look on his face while he did.

America began to grow tired of watching all the countries argue, and entertained himself with watching Prussia, sitting at the very end of the table. He wondered how he was doing; his empire had fallen only a decade ago.

He wondered, what does Prussia do exactly, now that he isn't a country? Participating in debates and conversations at world meetings wouldn't benefit him anymore, and he must have so much free time. Too much, even. Now it appears he was drawing something in his lap.

"America?"

He looked over. England and most of the other countries were looking at him expectantly.

"Well?"

It's situations like these that make America happy to be stupid.

"What?" he replied.

"Why have your stocks crashed?"

"I wanted to build huge skyscrapers. Huge! And we needed more factories to meet demands. Then, too many people took out huge loans to pay for all their stuff. Then they couldn't pay it back. Banks lost too much money, and people started filling up all the jobs but suddenly we're out of jobs since they're all filled up and then they all became farmers but now there's too many farmers. Their crops aren't worth anything, and that's pretty sad. But I'm telling you, there's dust starting to blow around down in Kansas where most of the farmers are, and it could ruin their crops so—"

"Alright America," said England, "we get it. Things are bad down in your place, but it's worse in ours. Germany, how are your employment rates? I need to verify..."

America was disappointed; he'd spent so long figuring out why his depression happened, only to be cut off mid-speech? It was times like these that he wished they didn't think he was stupid. Yet if that were to happen, they'd expect him to always be smart.

When the meeting was dismissed, America stood and began to leave. He wished he could be Prussia, who didn't have to worry about stocks and politics and war. Then again, he didn't want to not be a country. That wouldn't prove his awesomeness at all.