The American Empire: The Plan

Chapter Fifteen: The Interview

February 10, 2017 - World Meeting

No one spoke for the first five minutes or so. America wasn't sure what he had expected exactly. The complete silence wasn't uncalled for, but it was unnerving. Some of the fellow personifications stared at him and others didn't seem to know what to do. Unlike most meetings, other personifications had joined this meeting, the ones like Scotland and Wales and Prussia who didn't ordinarily come.

America looked up and scanned over the room. He made eye contact with Ireland who stared him down. There was something about his stare that unnerved America, but he held the gaze for a moment. He could only wonder what he was thinking. He doubted any of the ones he had aligned with would have seen this coming.

"America," England said. He sounded tired. "What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that it's about time personifications are recognized."

There was silence until Spain picked up his voice. "I think we can all agree that it would be nice to have some recognition after all these years, but-"

Prussia picked it up. "This is not something you can just throw at the press and not tell any of us about."

France sighed and shook his head. "You are such a child," he barely heard him say. This affects all of us, America. Not just you!"

"And you think I don't know that?"

"Your actions would suggest otherwise," England said.

America sighed and let his head hang for a minute. He almost wished they were all arguing and shouting at him. He can't do anything with silence. "What if I make it up to all of you?"

"In what way?"

He stood from his feet and looked over everyone in the room. "I can't take back my actions, but perhaps I can offer something to you all."

Germany repeated himself, "What are you thinking, America."

"I'll introduce my states and territories."

If he had thought the silence before was unbearable, the lack of voices now was deafening.

"You all know that my states are personified and I'm willing to introduce them to you all."

"I'm not sure that's quite the same thing as exposing us all-" China started.

"It is," America confirmed.

"But I'm willing to take the offer."

America looked to everyone and saw slow nods and mutterings of approval. "All right."

February 11, 2017 - Northeastern State House

All of the states were still in the Northeast, for some reason. Normally most of them couldn't stand being in the same region with each other for more than two or three days. America got there late, or early, however you want to look at it. It was about three o'clock when he walked in the door. He went upstairs silently to deposit his bag and change before going back downstairs for some coffee that was usually already brewed.

He sipped from a mug despite the coffee hardly being warm anymore. The house was silent, almost unnervingly so. Knowing how many states were here. The living room and den would be filled with blanket, pillows and sleeping bags, so would the bedrooms of the states that ordinarily lived here. Everyone was asleep and it would be like that for a couple hours longer. That's what he thought.

"Let me be the first to ask you in person."

He turned to see New York standing at the doorway to the living room, still dressed and wide awake. "Good morning, Jackson," he greeted quietly as to not wake any of the others. "Coffee?"