CHAPTER 7 – GRINNINGSOUL

Black screen. Cut to blurred shot of ceremonial gas-lamp. Move out, pan round. Herr Grinningsoul centre-screen. Text: First Cardinal of Hibernia. Fade text as he starts to speak.

“Today we have all seen for ourselves the utter disregard for human life shown by the unrecanted. The kind of mentality that would perpetrate such crimes as these can scarcely be imagined, and our sympathies must go straight away to the families of the victims. Drone families will be granted an extra day’s compassionate leave from grind in recognition of their irreplaceable loss, while property-owners will be granted a one-month tax credit on rental income.

“I have today asked Parliament to support me in implementing a range of emergency measures, the detail of which will be made available through the usual caste networks and grind committees. I know that you will all understand the necessity of doing this, given the grave nature of the situation we are in.

“There has lately been some wagging of tongues, questioning Hibernia’s campaigns overseas. I say open your eyes and see that the time for this frothy talk is at an end. Root it out!

“Tongues have idly wagged on the subject of our precious caste system. The unrecanted are hoisting the banner of caste war in our streets. I say know yourselves, respect the castes, pull together in solidarity.

"It is not in vain that we toil for progress and stability. I say hold fast, return to your places of grind and continue to build what the unrecanted seek to destroy. Remember that my administration will stop at nothing to generate targets towards which you can grind with complete confidence.

“We shall not be cowed! Nor shall we stumble. We shall root out the unrecanted of all persuasions and silence the wagging tongues forever. The struggle for individual enrichment in the face of those who would destroy it shall never cease.

Good evening.”

Pan out, return to gas-lamp. Fade to black.