The World Assembly Strangers' Bar

[Tinhampton]

Smith: "To be clear, I am not an economics guy: I do not have bazillions of redbacks at my disposal that I can just throw at the problem. What I do have are people from all different regions of my world who can offer your lot assistance in drawing up a schedule - good-faith, to reiterate again - in which Macadia can pay the fines. Remember: if you pay the fines, you can't get sanctioned for refusing to pay the fines."
"They'll only be around to help so long as your government doesn't just say 'no, we are not going to pay the fines' when it gets the bill. If they do - and the window for assistance in these regards could be mere hours - then I'll just walk away and leave you to deal with the sanctions that this woman over here" gestures somewhat vaguely towards Representative Kalina Wentapelloven "has been threatening for the past few days. At least Maria vyn Nysen had a sense of humour."

Wentapelloven: "I'd like to remind the Delegate-Ambassador of Tinhampton that the fines issued by the IAO are not meant to be a small donation to the WA's coffers, but instead are supposed to coerce compliance. If the fines were to be sustainable, GAR #440 would not have stated "in no case less than what will reasonably coerce compliance from member states". While we consider it noble of your nation to offer such assistance to a state that declares itself non-compliant and refuses to devote itself to international cooperation and camaraderie through such an act, we question whether it is prudent, as non-compliant states should not be rewarded for their behaviour.

And as Maria vyn Nysen and I have been friends for many years, I can assure you that she'd adopt a similar course of action as I have now."

Some dodgy 67-year-old who bears a striking resemblance to the Delegate-Ambassador: "Go figure. Anyway, Operation Ice Lolly is no longer in my or any other Tinhamptonian's hands. You can talk to Emma, Graham, Valerxeva or Isabelle about what's next for the plan, which probably amounts to 'wait and see' - but not me. Please, not me. They even cut me out of their mailing list..." fiddles about with a faulty lighter, before giving up and tossing all tobacco-related paraphernalia he has into the nearest bin

(OOC: For the time being, all future messages I leave in the Strangers' Bar concerning Macadia's situation will be made by Cousethii. Emma is the crown princess [duadynastia] of Cousethii - a nation that has historically had a strong relationship with Tinhampton - and is leading the line on Operation Ice Lolly, the Smith-devised effort to help Macadia pay its potential IAO dues. The other three are citizens of Gladom Newion and Saint Eleanor - both former Tinhamptonian colonies - with substantial piggy banks... but not that substantial. Soz.)

[Daarwyrth]

Wentapelloven was about to reply when her pad once again pinged. She regarded the message she received, and frowned slightly. "My apologies, I'm needed elsewhere," she said, and rose from the table, paid for the coffee and left the bar in a sudden hurry, typing away at her pad as she walked.

[Imperium Anglorum]

Gaius Marcius Blythe chuckles. "Surely it wouldn't be a rather clever idea to speak so plainly as to aggravating circumstances which allow for upward increases of the assessments. The ACA says 'the assessments must be based on ... the state’s objective intent to commit noncompliance or the actions proximate to a violation [and] other ... aggravating circumstances'. If someone else is offering to have their treasury drained by actual payment of the fines, the fines just ratchet upwards until both the original nation and their ... very courageous ... compatriots are both polished off. Of course, this would be only to the benefit of compliant member nations, who have their own contributions proportionally reduced."

[Anne of Cleves in TNP]

Ms. Schafer ignores the chatter around her and flips to the page of her notebook called “My stance on the Contact Rights proposal”. She originally wrote: “Although I need to ask the author about the privacy of the court proceedings outlined in the proposal, I support the proposal in concept”. But as she’s drinking her medium beer, she now writes: “Due to being swayed by Ambassador Twinklebright and the author of the repeal against this proposal, I am now abstaining from voting on this proposal”. She promptly closes her notebook in order to hide her notes from the others at the bar.

[Barfleur]

Gaius Marcius Blythe chuckles. "Surely it wouldn't be a rather clever idea to speak so plainly as to aggravating circumstances which allow for upward increases of the assessments. The ACA says 'the assessments must be based on ... the state’s objective intent to commit noncompliance or the actions proximate to a violation [and] other ... aggravating circumstances'. If someone else is offering to have their treasury drained by actual payment of the fines, the fines just ratchet upwards until both the original nation and their ... very courageous ... compatriots are both polished off. Of course, this would be only to the benefit of compliant member nations, who have their own contributions proportionally reduced."

"I do wonder whether this 'courage' will give way, and if so, when. More to the point, when does pride become eclipsed by the realization of impending isolation and economic doom?"

[Cousethii]

Duadynastia Emma, heiress to the Cousethi throne, was straggling around the Strangers' Bar for most of this time, although you'd have no idea she was around. She almost resembled one of those identikit ambassadors you could pick up and scan at your local supermarket: black suit with the buttons undone, black trousers, black leather court heels - white blouse, mind - sleek brunette ponytail, almost ivory-coloured skin, hazel eyes, and an unavowedly above-average IQ. (The only problem? She's 5'7''. The shelves aren't that big.) And of course she wouldn't be seen dead in this sort of environment without a pint of Aurshanthar* in hand - although she slurped a bit off the top for safety reasons.
She doesn't take long to walk over to Marcius Blythe and introduce herself a bit: "I'm Emma. Next in line to become Cousethii's head of state, although we aren't in the World Assembly. To be perfectly clear, the Tinhamptonian government is in full compliance with all active resolutions and is certainly not offering to pay any of Macadia's Administrative Compliance Act fines. The Macadians are responsible for their own money; I'm just drafting up a schedule by which it can actually pay the fines, but it's their call as to whether they want to follow it or not."
Looking around and taking another sip of her beer, she carries on: "I should have been running royal engagements in my early twenties, but I spent it getting a second undergraduate degree instead. Economics: micro, not macro. My first was in history. Upper second class honours both times of asking. I'm 32 now; 33 in a couple of weeks. Any further questions?"

* Aurshanthar - which translates into English as "gold standard" - is the most popular lager in Cousethii. It has 4.7% alcohol by volume and has a slightly citrusy taste similar to that of San Miguel in real life.

[Unibot III]

Duadynastia Emma, heiress to the Cousethi throne, was straggling around the Strangers' Bar for most of this time, although you'd have no idea she was around. She almost resembled one of those identikit ambassadors you could pick up and scan at your local supermarket: black suit with the buttons undone, black trousers, black leather court heels - white blouse, mind - sleek brunette ponytail, almost ivory-coloured skin, hazel eyes, and an unavowedly above-average IQ. (The only problem? She's 5'7''. The shelves aren't that big.) And of course she wouldn't be seen dead in this sort of environment without a pint of Aurshanthar* in hand - although she slurped a bit off the top for safety reasons.
She doesn't take long to walk over to Marcius Blythe and introduce herself a bit: "I'm Emma. Next in line to become Cousethii's head of state, although we aren't in the World Assembly. To be perfectly clear, the Tinhamptonian government is in full compliance with all active resolutions and is certainly not offering to pay any of Macadia's Administrative Compliance Act fines. The Macadians are responsible for their own money; I'm just drafting up a schedule by which it can actually pay the fines, but it's their call as to whether they want to follow it or not."
Looking around and taking another sip of her beer, she carries on: "I should have been running royal engagements in my early twenties, but I spent it getting a second undergraduate degree instead. Economics: micro, not macro. My first was in history. Upper second class honours both times of asking. I'm 32 now; 33 in a couple of weeks. Any further questions?"

* Aurshanthar - which translates into English as "gold standard" - is the most popular lager in Cousethii. It has 4.7% alcohol by volume and has a slightly citrusy taste similar to that of San Miguel in real life.

Percy, knocking back his fourth gin and tonic, calls out drunkenly from the back corner: “You’re all cowards,” he said. “If you need a consultant to skip those pesky IOA fines, just talk to Unibot. We’ve reconstituted the country twice to trick the IOA and we’ll redo it a third time if we have to. Besides all you gotta do is promise you’re going to pay those stupid fees anyways.”

“The bill requires sanctions on nations that are refusing to pay up. If you send in a memo everyday saying “the government is fully committed to paying its IOA fees as immediately as possible,” the sanctions can’t kick in. Hell, I know one country that is still banning bees from being imported, and they’ve promised the IOA twice a day for years they will pay their fines as soon as the payment is authorized by their treasury. Though I told them when I was consulting on their file that they should just legalize the importation of bees, then require the bastards be gassed with arsenic after arrival.”

[Daarwyrth]

Percy, knocking back his fourth gin and tonic, calls out drunkenly from the back corner: “You’re all cowards,” he said. “If you need a consultant to skip those pesky IOA fines, just talk to Unibot. We’ve reconstituted the country twice to trick the IOA and we’ll redo it a third time if we have to. Besides all you gotta do is promise you’re going to pay those stupid fees anyways.”

“The bill requires sanctions on nations that are refusing to pay up. If you send in a memo everyday saying “the government is fully committed to paying its IOA fees as immediately as possible,” the sanctions can’t kick in. Hell, I know one country that is still banning bees from being imported, and they’ve promised the IOA twice a day for years they will pay their fines as soon as the payment is authorized by their treasury. Though I told them when I was consulting on their file that they should just legalize the importation of bees, then require the bastards be gassed with arsenic after arrival.”

Flanked by two broad-shouldered and muscle-bound aides walks in an elegant-looking woman with a regal disposition about her. She is clad in a white knee-length dress and wears a sapphire-blue jacket as a top.

"Now, now, Ambassador," she says with a pleasant smile resting on her lips, as she looks at Percy. "You're giving me ideas on what resolution project the Daarwyrthian delegation should take up next. Perhaps a regulation on the payment of WA fines?" she raises one of her carefully manicured eyebrows in quiet amusement.

[The World Assembly Elite]

Percy, knocking back his fourth gin and tonic, calls out drunkenly from the back corner: “You’re all cowards,” he said. “If you need a consultant to skip those pesky IOA fines, just talk to Unibot. We’ve reconstituted the country twice to trick the IOA and we’ll redo it a third time if we have to. Besides all you gotta do is promise you’re going to pay those stupid fees anyways.”

“The bill requires sanctions on nations that are refusing to pay up. If you send in a memo everyday saying “the government is fully committed to paying its IOA fees as immediately as possible,” the sanctions can’t kick in. Hell, I know one country that is still banning bees from being imported, and they’ve promised the IOA twice a day for years they will pay their fines as soon as the payment is authorized by their treasury. Though I told them when I was consulting on their file that they should just legalize the importation of bees, then require the bastards be gassed with arsenic after arrival.”

The unmistakable sound of gnomes shuffling underneath the floorboards sends shivers down the spines of several ambassadors. Several tables down, the floor groans, groans, and then splits open as a pseudopod of gnomes heaves upward and crashes over yet another ambassador implicated in one of Unibot's "creative compliance" schemes. Surrounding patrons can hear the ambassador screaming ever so briefly before the gnomes envelop them entirely. The pseudopod scrapes along the floor, retreating with its prey back into the depths from which it came. A single gnome pops out of it, repairs the floor with incredible skill, and trundles out the double doors of the bar.

[Unibot III]

Percy, knocking back his fourth gin and tonic, calls out drunkenly from the back corner: “You’re all cowards,” he said. “If you need a consultant to skip those pesky IOA fines, just talk to Unibot. We’ve reconstituted the country twice to trick the IOA and we’ll redo it a third time if we have to. Besides all you gotta do is promise you’re going to pay those stupid fees anyways.”

“The bill requires sanctions on nations that are refusing to pay up. If you send in a memo everyday saying “the government is fully committed to paying its IOA fees as immediately as possible,” the sanctions can’t kick in. Hell, I know one country that is still banning bees from being imported, and they’ve promised the IOA twice a day for years they will pay their fines as soon as the payment is authorized by their treasury. Though I told them when I was consulting on their file that they should just legalize the importation of bees, then require the bastards be gassed with arsenic after arrival.”

Flanked by two broad-shouldered and muscle-bound aides walks in an elegant-looking woman with a regal disposition about her. She is clad in a white knee-length dress and wears a sapphire-blue jacket as a top.

"Now, now, Ambassador," she says with a pleasant smile resting on her lips, as she looks at Percy. "You're giving me ideas on what resolution project the Daarwyrthian delegation should take up next. Perhaps a regulation on the payment of WA fines?" she raises one of her carefully manicured eyebrows in quiet amusement.

“How’ll about you start with an appellate system for WA fines,” says Percy, ordering a fifth gin and tonic, and sinking back in his chair. Compliance was his favourite topic to sound off on. “There have to be hundreds of cases of non-compliance built on misrepresentation and lies by complainants. Those gnomes are good, but they’re only as good as the testimony that is provided to them. And besides, there’s a conflict of interest. Compliance is a big racket. It’s the Fundraising Department of the WA. The compliance industry employs lawyers, justices, consultants, administrators, examiners, inspectors, mediators, PR agents, stenographers, and all of them pay therapists. It’s the breadwinner of the WA, and it employs the Compliance Division of the GAO, the WACC, the IOA, the WASO, and over seventy million offices that just read the resolutions we pass (and it’s not like anyone reads those reports anyways!). Even prostitution isn’t as old or as dirty an institution.”

Percy, knocking back his fourth gin and tonic, calls out drunkenly from the back corner: “You’re all cowards,” he said. “If you need a consultant to skip those pesky IOA fines, just talk to Unibot. We’ve reconstituted the country twice to trick the IOA and we’ll redo it a third time if we have to. Besides all you gotta do is promise you’re going to pay those stupid fees anyways.”

“The bill requires sanctions on nations that are refusing to pay up. If you send in a memo everyday saying “the government is fully committed to paying its IOA fees as immediately as possible,” the sanctions can’t kick in. Hell, I know one country that is still banning bees from being imported, and they’ve promised the IOA twice a day for years they will pay their fines as soon as the payment is authorized by their treasury. Though I told them when I was consulting on their file that they should just legalize the importation of bees, then require the bastards be gassed with arsenic after arrival.”

The unmistakable sound of gnomes shuffling underneath the floorboards sends shivers down the spines of several ambassadors. Several tables down, the floor groans, groans, and then splits open as a pseudopod of gnomes heaves upward and crashes over yet another ambassador implicated in one of Unibot's "creative compliance" schemes. Surrounding patrons can hear the ambassador screaming ever so briefly before the gnomes envelop them entirely. The pseudopod scrapes along the floor, retreating with its prey back into the depths from which it came. A single gnome pops out of it, repairs the floor with incredible skill, and trundles out the double doors of the bar.

Ms. Montebello watched the whole scene in a state of sheer terror.

“What the living HELL was that???” she said.

Percy craned his head lazily, eyeing the truffle fries abandoned on the ex-patron’s table.

“Oooh, truffle fries,” he said.

“Wasn’t that one of your clients??” she said.

“Mmmmn, real shame, mmmn, yeah,” said Percy with a mouth full of fries. “I told him to argue to the WASO that the WA is violating the CoCR.”

“The WA can’t possibly violate the CoCR,” said Ms. Montebello.

“They only hire gnomes!” said Percy, gleefully. “It’s racial discrimination against the inhabitants of member-nations. A classic CoCR case. Open and shut, baby.”

“I don’t think the WA agrees,” she said, still staring at the crevices in the wall with a look of horror.

“Ms. Montebello, you have much to learn,” said Percy. “When you don’t have a leg to stand on, the WA fines you, it’s when you do that bad things happen…”

[Anne of Cleves in TNP]

The unmistakable sound of gnomes shuffling underneath the floorboards sends shivers down the spines of several ambassadors. Several tables down, the floor groans, groans, and then splits open as a pseudopod of gnomes heaves upward and crashes over yet another ambassador implicated in one of Unibot's "creative compliance" schemes. Surrounding patrons can hear the ambassador screaming ever so briefly before the gnomes envelop them entirely. The pseudopod scrapes along the floor, retreating with its prey back into the depths from which it came. A single gnome pops out of it, repairs the floor with incredible skill, and trundles out the double doors of the bar.

Ms. Schafer, slightly horrified by what had occurred, now said in her head: “Thank God they didn’t take my notebook or my life.”

[Separatist Peoples]

Gaius Marcius Blythe chuckles. "Surely it wouldn't be a rather clever idea to speak so plainly as to aggravating circumstances which allow for upward increases of the assessments. The ACA says 'the assessments must be based on ... the state’s objective intent to commit noncompliance or the actions proximate to a violation [and] other ... aggravating circumstances'. If someone else is offering to have their treasury drained by actual payment of the fines, the fines just ratchet upwards until both the original nation and their ... very courageous ... compatriots are both polished off. Of course, this would be only to the benefit of compliant member nations, who have their own contributions proportionally reduced."

"I'm not sure what the fuss is, anyway." Bell leans in, snapping out if his slow motion reverie. "The IAO held that hearing weeks ago, and they're quick on turning around decisions. I get a courtesy scheduling notice when they come up. My government was authorized to start sanctioning last week."

[Untecna]

Gaius Marcius Blythe chuckles. "Surely it wouldn't be a rather clever idea to speak so plainly as to aggravating circumstances which allow for upward increases of the assessments. The ACA says 'the assessments must be based on ... the state’s objective intent to commit noncompliance or the actions proximate to a violation [and] other ... aggravating circumstances'. If someone else is offering to have their treasury drained by actual payment of the fines, the fines just ratchet upwards until both the original nation and their ... very courageous ... compatriots are both polished off. Of course, this would be only to the benefit of compliant member nations, who have their own contributions proportionally reduced."

"I'm not sure what the fuss is, anyway." Bell leans in, snapping out if his slow motion reverie. "The IAO held that hearing weeks ago, and they're quick on turning around decisions. I get a courtesy scheduling notice when they come up. My government was authorized to start sanctioning last week."

Ambassador Kyjat: "Væh ēw tsuhʤ tsahl kært fuh lah mīt? Nɛhw zı çıht IAO ēluhɯχæ ŋikrøw?"

(Have we just lost track of all time? When is this IAO actually working?)

Kyjat is sufficiently confused to order a stronger drink from the bar, which he comes back with and sits at his table with.

[Imperium Anglorum]

Gaius Marcius Blythe. "The real question, I think, is why the universal translators we have are crapping out. But regardless, I had thought that matter had already been settled in the first instance but there was to be brought an appeal or re-evaluation or something of that sort."

[Daarwyrth]

Gaius Marcius Blythe chuckles. "Surely it wouldn't be a rather clever idea to speak so plainly as to aggravating circumstances which allow for upward increases of the assessments. The ACA says 'the assessments must be based on ... the state’s objective intent to commit noncompliance or the actions proximate to a violation [and] other ... aggravating circumstances'. If someone else is offering to have their treasury drained by actual payment of the fines, the fines just ratchet upwards until both the original nation and their ... very courageous ... compatriots are both polished off. Of course, this would be only to the benefit of compliant member nations, who have their own contributions proportionally reduced."

"I'm not sure what the fuss is, anyway." Bell leans in, snapping out if his slow motion reverie. "The IAO held that hearing weeks ago, and they're quick on turning around decisions. I get a courtesy scheduling notice when they come up. My government was authorized to start sanctioning last week."

One of the aides gives the new Daarwyrthian ambassador a paper, as she looks it over. "Yes, the notes of my predecessor, Kalina Wentapelloven, said the same. We were also under the impression the hearing had already taken place long ago, and was not to take place next Wednesday as was claimed previously."

Madelyne smiles briefly as she hands the aide on her right the paper back. "It pleases my delegation to know that we were not misinformed, after all."

[Attempted Socialism]

"Save the whisky for the workers, save the whisky for the workers, save the whisky for the workers, when the red revolution comes." The poor singing was audible outside the bar before the door was opened and two men came in. Inside, it was a fair bit louder, but still not in tune. "We will make Fidel Castro to the regent of IA," one sang, while the other was apparently intend on hanging Dick Cheney, even as the exact means was lost in the din. Strolling through the room the two ended their disparate verses and began on the chorus almost simultaneously and arrived at both the bar and the red revolution.
"Bartender," one said, "I have discovered that my predecessor was -- hic -- with all possible love and respect, a square." The speaker was apparently Ambassador Pride, though one could have confused him for an excessively disheveled drunk after a three-week bender that ended in a particularly unclean ditch. "AND! And, and, left to me several years worth of -- ahem, ah, I'm sorry -- where was I?"
The aide was trying to refresh the ambassador's memory between burps and fits of giggling, but it did not seem to be coherent.
"Oh yes, she left me years worth of alcohol stashed in our office -- no wonder it was so crammed, to be honest -- but you know how it... wait, no, can't be years. Weeks?" The Ambassador looks at the aide who was getting less helpful by the second. "Weeks. Several weeks worth of alcohol. Anyway, I ran out, I need to open a tab, AND! And, and, I have a prepaid card, for your bursjos... bergos... bouchie... booooshos... your corporate overlords."
The bartender accepted the card and to his clear surprise it contained a substantial amount of money.
"Yup," the new Ambassador exclaimed, "MacBeth negotiated a substantial allowance for the Bar, but then let it accumulate because she wouldn't fraternise with the capitalist scum in here." An overbalanced and overinclusive wave at the general scum followed. "But I know the gravediggers of capitalism should be merry, so a round on me, friends and comrades. A round on me, to the revolution!"

[Macadia]

Gaius Marcius Blythe. "The real question, I think, is why the universal translators we have are crapping out. But regardless, I had thought that matter had already been settled in the first instance but there was to be brought an appeal or re-evaluation or something of that sort."

Razowil returns from the restroom- “If the meeting has already happened, how come Macadia was not notified? How come we still don’t know how much we’re being fined by the IAO?”

“As for Tinhapton and Cousethii, I’d like more information on this draft schedule, what did you call it? Oh yeh, That ice lolly thing:”

[Groot]

Gaius Marcius Blythe. "The real question, I think, is why the universal translators we have are crapping out.

"I am Groot," says Groot with a shrug, before turning back to his root beer.

[Unibot III]

Gaius Marcius Blythe. "The real question, I think, is why the universal translators we have are crapping out. But regardless, I had thought that matter had already been settled in the first instance but there was to be brought an appeal or re-evaluation or something of that sort."

“It’s the translator *hic*… it gets all confused, when you’ve had too much to drink,” said Percy, explaining from first hand experience, as he sways back and forth with a goofy grin.

“What did you say?” said Ms. Montebello, having a hard time following her colleague.

“I saiiiiiid, nothing you says make sense, like the translator *hic* when you’ve hadtoomuchtodrink,” said Percy, spitting as he talks.

“You’ve had too much to drink…?” repeats Ms. Montebello as she tries to decipher her boss.

“No, YOU’VE hadtoomuchtodrink!!” said Percy, crashing against the fireplace, and holding himself up only enough to lay his back against the wall and order another “the bourbon thing I get, the rust thing” followed by (another) “DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?” to Jimmy the Bartender.

“DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM??,” cries out the ambassador again, sliding onto the floor. He points to himself - it’s unclear who in the Strangers’ Bar he is even speaking to. “I’m Percy - Percy Winslow. Head Ambassssador for Unibot! That’s right. A big deal. EVERYBODY USED TO KNOW WHO I AM. You can’t CANCEL what you can’t handleeeee,” he says, waving his hands dramatically as if posing as a drunk ninja.

Ms. Montebello, blushing from second-hand embarrassment, turns away, muttering “oh dear.”

[Separatist Peoples]

Gaius Marcius Blythe. "The real question, I think, is why the universal translators we have are crapping out. But regardless, I had thought that matter had already been settled in the first instance but there was to be brought an appeal or re-evaluation or something of that sort."

Razowil returns from the restroom- “If the meeting has already happened, how come Macadia was not notified? How come we still don’t know how much we’re being fined by the IAO?”

“As for Tinhapton and Cousethii, I’d like more information on this draft schedule, what did you call it? Oh yeh, That ice lolly thing:”

"Ambassador, the IAO is almost certainly going to consider any schedule, and will view any funding attempt by foreign entities as an aggravating factor requiring a much higher fine. I designed it that way. The point was to ensure all compliance fines for malicious noncompliance were crippling. I expect you'll find a bill for 70 billion a day at this rate.

"Alternatively, comply with WA law."

[Spiderman]

The Bear looks at all the strangers around him and is quite frightened, a spider looking gentleman (which the Bear presumes is a he since he uses "spiderman" as his name) walks by and the Bear holds tight to the mulsum, too afraid to start a conversation.

Spiderman goes and finds the Bear, and remembering this interaction, picks up the Bear's tab. "Wanted to say congrats on, uh, your recent success. And I hope by now there's, you know... no hard feelings or bad vibes between the bears and the spiders." Hoping not to badger the Bear, the spider quickly makes sure to hydrate with some water, and crawls back into his corner.

[Daarwyrth]

Razowil returns from the restroom- “If the meeting has already happened, how come Macadia was not notified? How come we still don’t know how much we’re being fined by the IAO?”

“As for Tinhapton and Cousethii, I’d like more information on this draft schedule, what did you call it? Oh yeh, That ice lolly thing:”

"Ambassador, the IAO is almost certainly going to consider any schedule, and will view any funding attempt by foreign entities as an aggravating factor requiring a much higher fine. I designed it that way. The point was to ensure all compliance fines for malicious noncompliance were crippling. I expect you'll find a bill for 70 billion a day at this rate.

"Alternatively, comply with WA law."

Madelyne Zylkoven seats herself at one of the tables, as one of the broadly built aides leaves her side to place an order at the bar for one cup of green tea, and two glasses of water. In the meanwhile, the Daarwyrthian princess presents the Macadian ambassador with a pleasant smile. "In other words, Ambassador, if you decide to agree to the financial aid that was presented to you, you'll only create an even greater burden on your people. I implore you to consider: is everything that is happening to you, all the sanctions and fines, all the disregard that is being cast your way, is it all worth it to refuse to comply with one resolution? Is it such a tragedy if your schools will try to endeavour to be tolerant and pleasant environments where everyone feels welcome and included? Is that such an affront, Ambassador, that it's worth starving your population over and destroying the economic potential of your nation?"

After those words, the aide returns with a tray and places the cup of tea in front of the Daarwyrthian Representative.

[Anne of Cleves in TNP]

*snip*

From the corner of her eye, Ms. Schafer notices the drunken Ambassador Percy alongside Ms. Montebello and decides to check on them.

“Is everything okay over here?”, she says in a concerned tone.

[Simone Republic]

Gaius Marcius Blythe. "The real question, I think, is why the universal translators we have are crapping out. But regardless, I had thought that matter had already been settled in the first instance but there was to be brought an appeal or re-evaluation or something of that sort."

“It’s the translator *hic*… it gets all confused, when you’ve had too much to drink,” said Percy, explaining from first hand experience, as he sways back and forth with a goofy grin.

“What did you say?” said Ms. Montebello, having a hard time following her colleague.

“I saiiiiiid, nothing you says make sense, like the translator *hic* when you’ve hadtoomuchtodrink,” said Percy, spitting as he talks.

“You’ve had too much to drink…?” repeats Ms. Montebello as she tries to decipher her boss.

“No, YOU’VE hadtoomuchtodrink!!” said Percy, crashing against the fireplace, and holding himself up only enough to lay his back against the wall and order another “the bourbon thing I get, the rust thing” followed by (another) “DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?” to Jimmy the Bartender.

“DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM??,” cries out the ambassador again, sliding onto the floor. He points to himself - it’s unclear who in the Strangers’ Bar he is even speaking to. “I’m Percy - Percy Winslow. Head Ambassssador for Unibot! That’s right. A big deal. EVERYBODY USED TO KNOW WHO I AM. You can’t CANCEL what you can’t handleeeee,” he says, waving his hands dramatically as if posing as a drunk ninja.

Ms. Montebello, blushing from second-hand embarrassment, turns away, muttering “oh dear.”

The terrifying looking Bear looks at Percy Winslow and tries to help him up, having only had a small mulsum up to now. The Bear having just vigorously debated him and therefore recognizing him immediately.

[Wallenburg]

Madelyne Zylkoven seats herself at one of the tables, as one of the broadly built aides leaves her side to place an order at the bar for one cup of green tea, and two glasses of water. In the meanwhile, the Daarwyrthian princess presents the Macadian ambassador with a pleasant smile. "In other words, Ambassador, if you decide to agree to the financial aid that was presented to you, you'll only create an even greater burden on your people. I implore you to consider: is everything that is happening to you, all the sanctions and fines, all the disregard that is being cast your way, is it all worth it to refuse to comply with one resolution? Is it such a tragedy if your schools will try to endeavour to be tolerant and pleasant environments where everyone feels welcome and included? Is that such an affront, Ambassador, that it's worth starving your population over and destroying the economic potential of your nation?"

After those words, the aide returns with a tray and places the cup of tea in front of the Daarwyrthian Representative.

Trevanyika, still quite drunk from—oh dear, she took two shots of vodka—decides to chip in.

"Exactly! It's just far too much trouble! That's why my home nation left the World Assembly entirely and ordered me to form this weird sham nation consisting only of myself and a few choice office workers. Do you have any idea how much of a headache it is to keep this going indefinitely with no taxes to fund our office? And you just fucking know they are going to take their sweet time rejoining. Makes me feel like that travel bill of mine was a big waste of time."

Trevanyika sees the tea arrive and scowls. "Hey Benjamin, why the fuck does she get tea and I don't? Is there something about me in particular that you think doesn't go with tea?"