Orensbell City State
Edward Irons coughed and wheezed as he was helped along the large cavernous hallway of the government complex. Shiny marble floors and columns lined the way towards the assembly chamber.
"My old bones aren't what they use to be... cough... cough" he spluttered "Get me a wheelchair" he snapped at one of his aides. Edward turned to face out one of the floor to ceiling windows that lined one side of the corridor. Outside he could see the large security wall that sealed in the government complex, beyond that were the sterile and imposing stone buildings that were said to be able to withstand nuclear explosions. The kind of buildings that gave a sense of permanence. Hovering over the city in the sky was a large blimp that broadcast a large projection of Edward giving one of his charismatic speeches in his younger years. Anyone in the city would be able to look up and see it.
Edwards assistants helped him to a sofa next to the large windows while they waited for the wheelchair to arrive. He would keep the city assembly waiting, as they had waited on him for the last 58 years, maybe even waiting for him to die. 'screw them, I will see to my 90th birthday, maybe even my 100th birthday'
"Can I get you some water, a drink?" asked one of the assistants. Edward looked at the young man and though for a moment before replying
"A glass of spring water, make sure there is also something for me to drink at the podium in the assembly hall also" he said in a demanding tone, 'no need for manners with these nobodies, no need for manners with anyone'
The assistant nodded and left to do as he was asked just as the other assistant arrived with the wheelchair.
"About time, they are waiting for me" Edward needed help to get off the sofa before he slumped into the wheelchair and was wheeled quickly towards the large double wooden doors that led into the assembly hall,It was the rear entrance door that was close to the podium. 100 of the representatives of the Orensbell city assembly waited patiently inside. No one would dare talk while they waited, everyone was watched and everything was recorded, people suspected bugging equipment was placed under certain seats, instead the assembly chamber was silent.
Edward stood up out of the wheelchair and waited for the assistant to open the door for him as he stepped up onto the stage and towards the podium, as soon as the assembly representatives saw him they all stood to give a thunderous standing ovation, cheering and applause as if they were in some trance before a god like being
"HURRAH! HURRAH! HURRAH!" erupted the chamber. Edward reached the podium and savored the applause for a moment before he gestured for them to quieten down. The assembly chamber was just as cavernous as the marble hallways outside with a large vaulted ceiling containing grand crystal chandeliers. Behind Edward on the back of a stage was a large portrait of the dictator himself.
"Thank you for the warm welcome my dear friends" he said in his aged, raspy voice "We have come a long way from the bloodbath we emerged from in 1960, but we must not look back, but instead look forward!.... cough... cough..." Edward looked around for the glass of water he has specifically asked for but couldn't see it 'fucking useless shit!' he thought as he tried to clear his throat
"... We must double all efforts to rid our society of those who would stand in our way.... cough.... cough.... I..... Will now.... cough..... Hand the podium over to my dear friend Greg Marsden" Edward abruptly ended his speech prematurely and sat down, where there was some water on a small side table beside his chair.
Greg looked surprised at this, he was the 58 year old leader of the dreaded Polity Control Agency, which acted as the security and police force charged with maintaining the totalitarian state to keep the Edward Irons in complete control of the 11 city states. Greg got off his chair and stepped up to the podium, a kind of smug look over his face with the reassurance that the dictator would only be forced to give him more powers and responsibility as his health declined.
"Thank you my dear, great leader!" Said Greg, with that the 100 members of the city assembly once again jumped to their feet to give a standing ovation of applause and cheering before settling down
"I can assure everyone here and for those watching this at home, that all eleven city states are firmly loyal to you my dear great leader!" said Greg who went on to heap further praise on Edward Irons who was still trying to contain his fits of coughing in between the gulps of his glass of spring water....