”The world of politics is a maze of lies to the public and underhand deals. So why is it that when a man tries to make a living for himself it’s considered illegal? Why is it that those in charge never adhere to their own rules?”
- Eric Clark, 1903
A black SUV pulled around the parking lot cluttered with other vehicles and what the driver hated most, smart cars. Those little pieces of shit could swing into any old space they pleased, mocking a would be parker to believe the spot was empty only to see that small bumper stand defiant. The SUV passed the hospital parking lot sign for the third time, its arrows still pointing to where the emergency room was and where the rest of the people were supposed to go. The driver clutched the wheel tighter as he made the roundabout turn once more, why was going to the hospital so damn hard? As his temper began to rise, as did the red in his face,and then he found the Holy Grail. An elderly couple had walked out of the sliding glass doors and were making their way to their car. Slowly the couple got into their car, a smart car of course, red lights flashed as they reversed and then drove off to wherever they had come from. With caution, the SUV pulled into the slightly than smaller for comfort spot, but ultimately the driver threw it in park and jumped out the door.
He heard the click of seatbelts and passenger doors followed soon after by the gitty chatter of children. A woman wearing a white sundress unbuckled a baby from the car seat, whilst two children danced around her in an almost aggravating manner. The woman looked at the driver and flashed a smile while gently rocking the baby which was beginning to stir from its nap.
"About time you found a parking spot Charles." She teased, yet her words poked him harder than he would have liked to admit.
"Ma'am I am the best driver you have, if you didn’t have me you would still be stuck on I-94 right now." Charles said sternly as he rubbed his bald head which glimmered in the fierce summer sun. The woman chuckled and made a graceful turn to walk across the parking lot, her two children in tow. A sterile white building looming over them, the glass windows revealing men in lab coats and patients in smocks meandering about. The faces illuminated in the sunlight revealed the entire spectrum of human emotion. Some danced about overjoyed, others cast their head down in fear of the unknown, and many others cried or held solemn face.
A swishing sound was made as the double automatic hospital doors slid open, a rush of cool air swamped over them. Charles sat on one of the uncomfortable hospital chairs, it was leather and dyed an ugly jade color. He reached for one of the very old magazines and proceeded to thumb through stale celebrity gossip, all the while he kept one eye on the two children sitting beside him. Sundress was currently talking to the nurse at the front desk.
Finally a doctor came into the room and beckoned for the woman to follow him, Charles took control of the children. Hospitals appeared to be mazes of sterility, the smell of anti-biotic and elderly permeated the air. Wrinkling his nose Charles followed the doctor for what seemed like a good ten minutes down the white halls until they came upon a nonchalant hospital room. The doctor opened the door revealing a well lit room, a large window allowing the sun to drift in, a vase filled with colorful flowers to give the room some much needed life. A flat screen TV was on, a politician was spouting some nonsense that people would rather ignore. Yet his eyes were drawn to the lone hospital bed, the beep of a heart monitor sounding off every few seconds. On the bed, sitting upright and with a book, was an elderly looking man, a man long since past his prime. His remaining hair was as white as snow, but his bespectled eyes still held a sharp conscious gaze. His smile was just about as friendly as any other grandfather though.
"Father I see you are recovering well!" Sundress walked over, the smile on the old man grew large as he let out a slightly raspy laughter.
"AH Darling! You even brought the grandchildren! Let me have a look at them." He placed the book on an end table and the children ran up to him giving hugs and kisses. The elderly man looked at Charles. "I hope my daughter didn’t give you too much trouble, Charles."
"None at all sir, I see you still have the spirit of a lion." Charles threw in a smirk.
"Hahaha a decrepit old lion I suppose, but a heart attack won’t stop me." The elderly man said tickling his grandchildren.
The doctor and Sundress began to talk, he told her that her father was recovering well and all they needed were a few more tests. Leading her out the door to fill out some paper work she sent Charles to find lunch for everybody. This left the two children in the care of their loving grandfather. They sat on the bed next to him watching cartoons, even he still enjoyed the cheeky childish jokes. That was when his granddaughter picked up a portrait sitting on the table, her small chubby fingers running over the grainy black and white photo.
"Who is this grandpa?" She asked delicately. Grandpa took the photo gently, his smile was clearly broken, and even his elderly eyes, which he thought had no more tears to give, glistened.
"Ahhh that’s grandma." Grandpa tilted his glasses to look at the frame better. "Do you wana hear a story about her?"
The two grandchildren nodded vigorously as Grandpa turned off the television from his remote. Settling in he leaned back against his pillow letting the memories make their way back to him. He could almost feel the rush of air of the passing train. He folded his wrinkly hands on his lap and began his tale.
"To tell the story of your grandma and I, we have to go way back, back then Prinnia had a lot of things going on..."
Back then, sins were larger, the poker chips more plentiful in people’s pockets, liquor overflowed from water taps, and the lights...oh yes...the lights were much...brighter...
Rise of Prinnia
By 1903, Prinnia had established itself as a large pleasure resort for the nobles and wealthy of the world. Her soaring high rises dominated the skyline, each building adorned with large flashing billboards all vying for an onlooker’s attention. Crowded city streets moved about like a storming river of automobile lights and people in all directions. Scantily clad prostitutes moved about cat calling amongst the well-dressed business men. Casinos lined the streets with dancers and entertainers jumping about in a decadent display of movement. One could scarcely walk down the sidewalk without crunching a casino chip. Large glittering lights signaled for everything ranging from strip clubs, brothels, and luxury hotels where the parties raged late into the night. With the drinking age set to "Whenever you can see over the bar" standard, one thing was for sure, Prinnia was the place to get roaring drunk.
Prinnia wasn’t only known for its debauchery in the streets. Many of the more, moral nobles, enjoyed the resorts out in the country side. Though no major mountain ranges ran through Prinnia there we several minor ones in which ski resorts dangled close to cliffs. Major bath houses also dotted the country side, boasting large hot springs or luxurious swimming pools/water parks. Indeed Prinnia was the playground for the rich, but with all the wealth and sin, there was of course a darker side...
Eric Clark was a slim man, his fedora tilted back slightly revealing slick black hair, he was handsome by many standards even if he was on the skinny side. Holding his suitcase in one hand and his coat in the other he stood outside the large central station. The flashing lights of Vaproiz, or as it was known to the world "Sin city", captivated his gaze. Search lights illuminated the night sky, people moving in every direction many of them extremely intoxicated and being escorted by beautiful women. The shouting, music, and honking automobile horns made the city feel more like a carnival than anything else. The noise was so loud and crowds so chaotic that Eric couldn’t hear the shouts directed at him.
"Eric! Eric! Goddamnit Eric over here!" A clear Vaproiz accent (imagine thick stereotypical New Yorker) again was drowned out by the droves of people even as he jumped and shouted. A man in his mid-twenties poked his head through the wall of people passing by on the sidewalk, his hair was a dark brown and spiked slightly, his piercing green eyes locked on Eric. He shoved his way past the crowds and got right up to Eric before he noticed. Eric looked at the man curiously before a large smile wiped over his face as he recognized his old friend. The two embraced under the lights and fanfare that followed a city whose rules where do as you please.
"My god, Francis Weatherby! How long has it been three years? All the way in Vaproiz what the country side no good for you!" Eric said happily as he playfully shoved Weatherby.
"Oh you know me Eric! Got to come to the city if you wana make it to the top and what other city than Vaproiz? A city with women so fine and water so sweet!" Weatherby stood tall and outstretched his arms. For a fleeting moment Eric thought that this city belonged solely to Weatherby as the lights and entertainers stood behind him.
"I suppose your right!" Eric smiled as he followed Weatherby across the busy street.
A taxi screeched to a halt barely inches away from the pair as they attempted to traverse the extremely busy street. Weatherby slapped the engine of the Taxi and cursed, to which the driver responded likewise, as the two proceeded to the hotel. The building itself was towering and had the Prinnian flare to it architecture, with a large pink neon sign which read Goddess Numera. Eric knew these places were where the wealthiest gathered, Eric had thought he would be staying in a lower class workers district and felt oddly underdressed. Thats why Eric's eyes held a dazzled gaze as the double golden doors were open before him by men in white tuxedos and a beautiful, wealthy Inesean mistress walked in next to him.
Inside the marble floor shone with the light from the golden chandeliers and band played loudly as all sort of people danced in a wild ball like party. Everyone had a drink and the band was surrounded by scantily clad dancers moving as if showing off their smooth skin. The party was chaotic, with everyone moving about in an unorganized crowded fashion. The lobby fountain was occupied by several patrons in bathing suits taking a soak. Most women wore revealing sparkling dresses and men wore wrinkled suits from all the festivites. Confetti rained from the upper floors as hotel works dumped streamers and balloons. The air was hot from the packed lobby, with poker chips scattered about the all too familiar sound of slot machines going off nearby. Butlers were offering snacks and drinks, it was a grand time and though most custom dictated a more formal approach to festivities, Prinnia was known as a place to let loose, to get away from many social stigmas.
Eric was immediately absorbed and shocked by this intense display of skin and dancing that was considered reckless in other parts of the world. Weatherby smiled and took hold of Eric. He had to shout directly into Eric's ear to even be heard over the party.
"Great isn’t it! It is Kaiser Cray's birthday today and you know it’s a time to celebrate! They party for just about anything here!" Weatherby did a mock salute as his eyes drifted onto a passing beauty.
"Would you care for some champagne sir?" A man dressed in a white uniform asked Eric whilst holding a platter.
"Ehh no thank you, I had a drink on the train." Eric smiled until a woman carrying a platter strutted up to him. She was wearing the same thing as the dancers, a sparkling two piece which gave the impression of starlight. Her hawk feather tiara and hoop earrings only added to the effect. She pressed herself up against him and Eric blushed while Weatherby grinned.
"Would you like a whisky darling?" She asked seductively, bending over slightly to allow a better view of the drinks among other things.
"Il take two!" Both men said in unison.
The two took seats at a corner table which Eric was again astounded to see had been reserved for them. The seats were plush red velvet and Eric instantly felt how tired he was, but Weatherby would have none of it. Instead it was straight to business, Weatherby took out a newspaper and slid it across the table. Eric looked at it reading the headlines while taking a sip of his whisky, which burned going down his throat.
Prinnia Seeks Mutual Protection Pact with Sarmandars
Eric folded the paper and looked curiously at Weatherby who had his hands folded on his knees, an almost insanely happy grin plastered against his thin lips.
"Eric, I know its been awhile since we have seen each other and trust me I plan on showing you a grand ol' time here in the city. But... how would you like to make a shit load of money?" Weatherby spoke slyly as if afraid others of the roar of the party could hear them.
"How do you propose we do that?" Eric asked slowly but curiosity obviously peaked.
"Well let’s say I’ve made some new friends and we...well il let him explain..." Weatherby looked up to a large glass arch window which overlooked the entire party. Eric looked up too, there in the shade of a curtain was a lone man. A cigarette glowed softly illuminating a clean shaven face with slicked back hair and a smile which could unsettle even the bravest of warriors.
