From: aaron@space.ualberta.ca (Aaron Humphrey)
Subject: Lack of Sedition In Guilder
Reply-To: aaron@space.ualberta.ca
Organization: University Of Alberta, Edmonton Canada
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 02:53:23 GMT


[This one is for John R. Schutz, who gave me the choice words

lacuna, seditious, scatological, ballast

I think I even used them all.]

"Tell me again," Lothario said, "why we should try to overthrow our
government.  There's a lacuna in your argument somewhere, but I just can't find
it.  If you go over it again, then perhaps I'll find it."

Trung sighed.  "Never mind the why of it.  You're here, aren't you?  Would you
have come if you didn't think times were ripe for change?  This meeting is a
time for how, not for why."

Alphonzo said, "No, Lothario has a good point.  I mean, we all agree that there
is a need for change.  But what we are not yet convinced of is that this kind
of seditious activity is necessary to achieve what it is that we desire."

Trung sighed again.  This had not happened in the last few countries they had
tried.  Florin, for instance.  The Florinese all agreed that revolution was the
only hope for change.  But somehow in Guilder there was still hope that the
establishment might be reasonable.  He tried another tactic.  "Look--how long
have you been trying to change things within the system?  Have you accomplished
anything?"

"Oh, we've accomplished scads.  We haven't accomplished our main aims, but we
have made great strides."

Alphonzo chuckled.  "It would help if you didn't keep changing our main aims
everytime we take a stride forward.  I remember when all we wanted was to
change the laws that any Florinese found on Guilder territory was summarily
hanged, drawn and quartered.  And now we won't stop until Florin and Guilder
are completely united."

"And frankly, I don't see how changing the government will accomplish
anything," Lothario broke in.   "The Florinese have just had a revolution
themselves.  Is it going to reassure them if we have one right off as well? 
They've completely slaughtered all their royal family, except for those few
that made it over the border, who owe their lives to us, even if they have to
work as a performing troupe."

Trung swore.  Would these people not listen to reason?  Didn't they have any
idea how things worked?

"No need to get scatological on us, Mr. Bactrian," Lothario said, offended. 
"We said we'd come and listen to you, and we have.  Just because you haven't
sold us like you sold the Florinese..."

Trung sucked in a breath.  They were onto him!

Alphonzo smiled.  "Oh, yes, Mr. Bactrian--or should I say, Trung Astra?  The
Prince was very helpful in providing a description of you, and you matched
perfectly.  No, the beard didn't fool us at all.  Our artists are quite capable
of adding those.  Having committed no crimes in Guilder, you were safe from us
for a while, but we knew that if we gave you enough rope you'd hang yourself. 
And you have.  Your previous statements to us gave us enough reason to search
the ballast on your ship, and the lead therein was arrange in much too
convenient forms for coincidence."

Lothario nodded.  "I'm afraid we must book you for sedition, Mr. Astra.  No,
don't bother to struggle.  These gentlemen are quite willing to break your arms
if necessary.  We can't be held liable for the injuries a prisoner may inflict
on himself, you know."

--
---Alfvaen(Canadian SF Quasi-Activist)
"What have I done to piss the gods off?"  ---Terence Trent D'Arby
Current Album--The Rainmakers:The Good News And The Bad News
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