Jack Kennedy
REICHHAUPTSTADT AMERIKA
Rockwell Street
Like any good journalist, he was there to give the people the truth. Victory in America Day! The eagerly-awaited 4th of July. The day that represented their great country, both past and future. A time of joyous celebration, kept to by all good and loyal Americans.
That was why he sat towards the back of the crowd, watching Rockwell speak with a disinterested gaze. Beside him was the paper's neatly-suited Reichhauptstadt correspondent, Seamus Kelly. The Globe had always possessed a distinctly Irish flavour, even prior to the acquisition of the outlet by Joseph Kennedy Sr. in the early 1950s. As a great deal of newspapers either fell under control of the government or were banned outright, the Boston-based paper was one of the few enclaves of Irish-American journalists. Though the Irish were not an 'impure' race, there were plenty of barriers to the profession as preferential treatment was afforded to Aryan writers.
Of course, there was still a good number of Aryan journalists on the books (what self-respecting publication did not have them?), but Jack fought hard to offer opportunities to fine and intelligent young men from all backgrounds. Ergo plenty of Irish, some Italians, a few Czechs, and, at one point, discreetly harbouring a Jew within the ranks. In the warehouses, the Globe had a history of trying to hire negroes and Poles, arguing that the sort of menial tasks it requires done would be 'demeaning' for an Aryan. This was not done out of an ardent opposition to the regime or even to make a statement, as the Globe was always thoroughly conventional in its reporting of domestic issues and unshakingly loyal to the Reich. It was simply the actions of an editor who had some respect for the dignity of individuals and did not dismiss talent out of hand on account of someone's race. Furthermore, Jack was acutely aware that if not for his own wealth and family connections he would likely have been in their position himself.
"Today, and for the next thousand years, we celebrate the rebirth of our nation, our people, our Reich! I present to you the new capitol building, Reich Tower!"
The crowd raised their arms to hail and Jack did alongside them, his face briefly lighting up with a perfectly-rehearsed smile. By this stage a false face was almost second nature.
With the speech concluded, the crowd began to disperse. High-profile attendees were to move on to the gala, whilst the general public returned home. Kennedy and Kelly remained seated, watching people pass them by in a desire for a more private moment. It was a challenge to rise so suddenly after sitting, the stabbing pain in his lower left back having given way to a dull ache over the course of the speech and finally culminating in a challenging stiffness. Better to make the effort without so many people around.
Kelly leaned in towards him and muttered something quietly in a mocking tone. "A Judeo-Bolshevist miscegenation program."
Jack grinned, hand briefly obscuring his mouth. "Bit of red meat for the masses. I've heard better." He observed in a low voice, glancing at his watch. "You got plenty of time to make print. Note many of the faces in the crowd? So many fine Teutonic names which just roll off the tongue. Real star-studded affair."
"Oh, yes. I caught far too many Kennedys loitering about."
"You will have to blame my mother for that," He joked. Jack moved his hand in a circular motion, attempting to summon his creative muse. "The famous Joe Kennedy Sr. (diplomat, media mogul, party official, etc.) was in attendance, delivering another concise and carefully censored speech before watching on with a look of such pride and undying devotion that one could have easily mistaken him for an onlooker at a baptism for his newborn," Kennedy conjured up, feeling devious.
"Must be one you're familiar with?"
He chuckled, giving a derisive shake of the head. "Please, I saw more love in his eyes fixed on that Swastika than there has ever been when addressing me." For all the warnings against being the family disappointment, Jack had long worn the badge with ease. Though he was forced to share the duties with Bobby rather than exercise it full-time, letting down his father had been far less painful than had originally been feared.
The pair exchanged thoughts on how the front-page would present the 4th of July celebrations, alongside some witty and sarcasm-laden quips about a few of the attendees which were most certainly not suitable for print. Though Jack had familial obligations to be in attendance at the evening's gala, it was vital that the next morning's paper covering the most important day in the American Reich calendar was up to scratch first.
"If you can relay this all back to the office within the hour, I think we're set. As for the gala, something like... 'a well-placed attendee can confirm," he jabbed his index finger into his own chest. "That the gala went incredibly well. The Reichsführer was as graceful and charming as ever, his wife looked positively regal in her tasteful, traditional dress and daughter Georgina is showing wisdom beyond her years when it comes to'... -- Hm, something about how she's the model daughter of the Reich. Oh, and make sure you mention how Godly and patriotic everything was in comparison to the Godless hedonism and degeneracy before the war." Jack gave a careless wave of the hand, casually throwing up the right buzzwords.
Kelly stood up, standing in front of Kennedy to obscure the view of him. After taking a deep breath he was able to stand up with minimal fuss, though Kelly could see a strained expression on the face of his employer.
"I'm fine. Goddamn Japs, if they hadn't rammed my boat... well, who knows how things would have turned out." Jack bemoaned, using that tired old lie once again. At some point something was going to give, his back wouldn't last forever. At some point he would need to stop pretending that everything was normal when it clearly was not. But then, he thought, staring at the Reich Tower, didn't everyone?
With that fresh on his mind, Jack Kennedy walked up the steps to join the rest of the high and mighty at the gala.
