Ladies and gentlemen, your mayor...

[bathymetric]

True to the word of the random pieces of paper next to your desks, at exactly 1:30PM New Rapture Standard Time, there's a chime on all radios in the whole area - and there are a lot of radios. Both the portable radios you've all been issued and speakers all over chime before a pleasant woman's voice calls out to all of you, slightly tinny and distorted.

Greetings, prospective citizens! Please make your way to the lobby for a personal address from Mayor Fontaine! Presented by Fontaine Futuristics, where we bring your present into your future!

Upon everyone's arrival into the lobby of the hotel, several televisions set into the walls light up with:



Until, after a few moments, the screens flicker and cut to the face of... someone, in silhouette, just like the rest of Rapture. There are no features to make out, though, as the top of a huge leather armchair raises above their head.

Mayor Fontaine is watching.

When the Mayor speaks, the speakers seem to have trouble getting it out. There's heavy distortion and static over it, but the voice seems clear enough - male, from the sound of it, and slow and purposeful. A thick Bronx accent, for those of you with a New York to compare it to.

"So. Welcome to New Rapture. I got some things to say, but I'm gonna bet if I just open the floor to questions they'll come up and it'll save us all some time. But to cut a couple off at the pass, so to speak: yer not leaving, this is real, et cetera. Now, ask me some questions, would you kindly?"

Comments

[hotpaprika]

[Theres a sickening feeling growing in his stomach. They only said they won’t kill for first offense…]

You monster! How dare you abduct innocent women and children to a place like this and threaten them with murder for wanting to escape!

[He hated how familiar this all felt.]

[kninja]

And innocent men. Don't forget us guys.

[hotpaprika]

Yes, my apologies, I didn’t mean to imply that the men deserve this fate, but the women and children especially do not deserve such a fate!

[daimakaicho]

Good thing us womenfolk have such a strong, supportive man like yourself to make sure nothing happens to us, hm?

[ The annoyance is less of an implication and more of a bat being smacked upside the head. ]

[hotpaprika]

[He’s taken aback by that statement, almost offended by the implication that he wouldn’t protect women.]

Ma’am, I would happily give my life if anyone were to consider murder here if it meant that women like you got to live!

[howveryglib]

...

I will be plain with you. I believe you are more in need of protection than some of the women here.

[hotpaprika]

[He seems embarrassed by that comment, and he looks away.]

I… I may have had my troubles lately, but that doesn’t mean I should ignore my duties as a gentleman. It would be improper to not want to protect those in need.

[howveryglib]

...What I mean to say is that they can likely protect you better than you can protect them. Gender has no actual bearing on strength or skill.

[hotpaprika]

Oh, no, sir, I didn't mean to imply that I thought women were weak, but as a gentleman...

[He trails off. He wasn't sure why people were so up in arms with him trying to be a protector, and he distantly wonders if he really looked that cowardly and weak right now.]

[howveryglib]

...

I suppose you have the spirit.

[even if you are definitely very confused.]

[allatonce]

You definitely did, though.

[Like, just saying.]

[hotpaprika]

I'm deeply sorry, it was not my intention, I just...

[He looks deeply uncomfortable right now help.]

[allatonce]

It's okay. I for one forgive you from being from the ye olde Victorian times so long as you promise to improve.

[pat pat]

[hotpaprika]

"Ye olde"...? Are... are you telling me you're from the future?

[allatonce]

Oh, buddy... Sure, if that's easier for you to understand.

[Meanwhile, she's actively explaining the multiverse to someone else—]

[daimakaicho]

How sweet. I'm sure we'll keep that offer in mind over the course of our time here.

[ Is that a threat? You decide! ]

[hotpaprika]

[He looks away, rubbing his elbow.]

My days are already numbered, I would not think twice if the opportunity were arise.

[prompocalypse]

[She doesn't comment but she does watch this exchange from the corner of her eyes and smile in snide amusement. She likes this woman.]

[vholran]

How chivalrous.