+5+
3 Months later
The Hague, Netherlands
I keep the black dossier close to my side, taking the steps one at a time and surveying the hotel lobby. I’m all too aware of everyone staring at my NADF dress uniform, but I try to wear it with pride, which ain’t easy these days. When I reach the bottom I finally see Paris Prince in deep conversation with his lawyers and about 15 other aides. He looks a little more ragged than usual, the plain black suit I’d packed for him is a tight fit, but he makes it work.
Seraphina stands uncomfortably next to him, awkwardly holding a bouquet of dark red tulips. Every now and then Paris gives her a lukewarm smile. A smile that can’t make up for the fact that he missed Christmas and New Year’s.
It doesn’t make up for missing the day the Americans woke the fuck up, rolled into town and temporarily took control of our country. Or how hard we had to fight for to make it temporary. It can’t make up for the thousands of arrest made during the uprising or the protest for justice that followed. It doesn’t make up for the constant criticism of our large incompetent army, our weak border patrol and national identity. Not to mention everyone’s new favorite slogan.
Prosperity Never.
I mean everyone’s favorite.
It doesn’t make up for missing the day your wife had to wake up, put on a uniform and report for duty despite all the rumors, stares and verbal beatings she got from superiors. Despite all the people wanting more and more and more from her. Or the loss of a commission she never even wanted. Or the next day when she dragged herself off the couch put on a uniform and reported for duty in the armory basement. Hidden away with rags and gun polish.
It doesn’t make up for the public scrutiny, the late nights, the town halls that were a miserable failure and that one time she showed up to work black out drunk. It doesn’t make up for breaking the spirits of a country that was supposed to be on the right path.
I get a little closer to Paris and his lawyers, a woman is offering Seraphina a drink and she declines in what I can only guess is near perfect Dutch. Paris and Seraphina’s reunion had been short. Just a quick minute on the stairs before the lawyers moved back in. I’d never seen them both hold back so much. I wonder if he even commented on Sera’s hair being several shades lighter and pulled into a not so subtle Dutch crown braid. Her demure off white dress would be better suited at a spring picnic than trial.
As a courtesy the International Criminal Courts had allowed him to meet with his lawyers in the hotel across the street before the trial. He was distracted the whole time, taking in the world for maybe one last time. Paris turns to me when I get close enough, I go in for a handshake but he turns it into a hug, he feels more substantial. At least he’d put on some weight.
“Capitan Argos.”, Paris says. Then he sees the black dossier under my arm.
“Is now a good time?” I ask.
“Yes”, Paris turns to the lawyers, “I just need a minute alone.”
They eye him suspiciously but they back off. This might be the last minute alone he ever gets.
Paris takes Seraphina’s hand and leads her over to a corner of the lobby where the lawyers can see but not hear us.
“First, how are you holding up, boss?” I ask
Paris shakes his head, “I’m holding up. Food is shit, terrible company, no privacy….on the plus side I’m in the cell right next to the one meant for Mumar Guadfai.”
“Paris”, it’s too early for his bullshit
“I’m ready for this to be over”, he says seriously, “I’m ready to atone for my sins. Whatever that means. If that means I sit in prison . . . then I’m ready.”
I open the dossier and summarize. Seraphina already knows the gist but listens intently.
“Um, Solstice LeCroix didn’t exist until about ten years ago. She was a cop in New Orleans, but turns out her resume was mostly bullshit. No one in the Unification Party knew much about her past. Except maybe Giuliani or Anne. A search of her apartment turned up nothing. Literally nothing. She probably had other liaases, but she must have burned them when she took a government job. I think. . . I think she knew this would be her last job.”
“Do you think Anne knew?”
“Wouldn’t be surprised. It didn’t seem like they got along.” I said.
Paris shook his head
“Do we know how she got here?” Paris asked.
“Do we know how we got here?
Paris nods, “Sorry. Okay, then. Thank you. I guess that’s it then. .. ”
“Sorry, I’ll keep looking.”
Sera tightness her lips. Perhaps some small bit of this could have been solved if she’d let Paris keep the body, but considering the audit the U.S government did it was a blessing in disguise.
“Thank you.” Paris looks at the ornate clock in the hotel lobby, “If you excuse me I have date with lady justice and something tells me she is going to fuck me over.”
Paris kisses Seraphina’s hand then moves back to the gaggle of lawyers. The Interpol officers move in to escort Paris to the courthouse across the street. As a courtesy they decide to leave the handcuffs off of him.
Seraphina hangs back and I stay by her side. The doors open to a sea of reporters and media. Paris keeps his face forward and falls in step with the lawyers and officers. Seraphina and I follow behind, a slew of reporters and supporters on either side.
“You took care of it, right?” I whisper to Seraphina as she gives the flowers to a random supporter.
She smooths the skirt of her dress and keeps a straight face, pulling the lace gloves over her bruised knuckles, “It’s covered, boss”
+++
Eli Cohen: When I started this little show 25 years ago I thought the biggest most historic event I’d ever cover was September 11th . . . then Hurricane Katrina happened. . . Then the Helion Regime . . . Then the Revolution. When I finally thought (laughs) that has to be it for big events. . . . Then the 2027 Uprising happens and . . . it’s like what is going on?
We spend our lives thinking we know when the big moment has come. Then something else happens and we have to question ourselves. Is this it? Is this my big moment? I mean how many big moments can you have in one life or the life of one show. And how do we know which ones really count? That’s what I asked today’s guest.
Prince: . . . the day I married my wife
Eli Cohen: Laughs (laughs) Oh, come on. You’re just saying that because you think she’s listening
Prince: No (laughs)
Eli: (laughs) (laughs) and you’re like (laughs) scared of the gun she carries.
Prince: Mmaybe (laughs) No but seriously. If I had to chose.
Eli: (laughing) okay, okay. What other day really counts.
Prince: April 1st 2028.
Eli: Okay can you tell me why—or better off I’ll read it.
Prince: Okay…
Eli: I’ve got the site up. Here we go. Destruction of Property, Construction violation, two counts of conspiracy to commit corruption, one count of unsanctioned currency exchange, two counts of international embezzlement four counts of destroying public records, International tax fraud, Forty counts of bribery and 12 Trade Violations . . . so you were formally charged with all of this by the United Nations. Geesh.
Prince: Yeah
Eli: And how many of these charges did the United National’s International Criminal Court find you guilty of?
Prince: Zero.
Eli: Zero?
Prince: Well, they agreed to throw out the construction violation. If I agreed
to pay taxes on my house.
Eli: So, sir. .. Are you a convicted criminal?
Prince: No
Eli Cohen (in studio): That voice you just heard—the one that wasn’t mine . . . of course belongs to Paris Lucien Prince, the first and current King of new Aeterna. He is the subject of today’s entire show. After false allegations made against him lead to his startling and controversial arrest in November, he spent five months in the International Criminal Court’s Correction Center with some of the world’s most notorious dictators.
For Paris Prince it didn’t end with a not guilty verdict from the ICC. Not even close. As far as the rest of the world was concerned he might not be guilty . . . but boy was he negligent.
Now, the disgraced King is ready to start over. Which might be kind of hard considering the New Aeterna legislators have stripped him of all his power. New Aeterna has been put on a six year ban from the United Nations and NAFTA. They’ve been given a five year ban from participating in the Olympics and has so many sanctions that the price of milk is literally 8 dollars a gallon. The economy is in a devastating downfall and this populist king’s approval ratings are now at a startling 19%. 12% of the population fled to the United States and now the U.S is making it harder and harder for New Aeterneans to flee and live in America. Martial law is currently in effect until a Prime Minister can be elected
All he has left?--
Prince: My title. Apparently it does wonders for the tourism industry.
Eli: (In Studio) He’s not a convicted criminal but the court of public opinion. . . Just handed him a life sentence. . . Or did it? Because Paris Lucien Prince . . . is running for Prime Minister of New Aeterna. Can he do it ? Just don’t call it a comeback.
Part one -- Ow, My Truth Hurts; how one night in November nearly broke an entire country.
Part two -- Orange is the New Aeterna; Prince’s months in an International Detainment Center. . .
Part three -- Make New Aeterna Great Again. . . Yes We Can?
Eli (editor’s note – reduce volume to amplify casualness) : So why are you
still listed on the International Criminal Justice website as a defendant?
Prince: I think I have to fill a
form out . . . government agencies… you know.
Eli: Well, it’s a good picture of you
Prince: (laughs) Thank you, Eli (laughs)
Eli (laughs) Part One. . .
Epilogue