Realpolitik of the Smoky Skies - The Reboot

If you were hoping for a cheerier offering from young composer Charles Melda than the ending of his last work, the dramatically-titled Unrequited: a suite of ill-fated love, then you're fresh out of luck because it sounds as though Mr. Melda is back, drawing inspiration like water from that same well of sadness.

Without Hope is everything its title indicates it would be: the piece is imbued with an overwhelming lack of hope, like all hope has been lost, never to return. The piece, scored for the unusual combination of clarinet, trombone and piano is repetitive and insistent, intent to drive home just how hopeless the current circumstances are. A plaintive clarinet weaves mournfully throughout, but the piano is definitely the workhorse driving the piece onward to its depressing conclusion.

Admittedly, there is a gentler moment about halfway through where it sounds as though hope could possibly be indulged, but such a notion is shut down with a rumbling return to the forbidding atmosphere and slowly but unyielding piano accompaniment.

I was unable to schedule the composer for an interview about the work, but he was kind enough to reply to some of my questions by correspondence. I asked him quite simply whatever is there to be without hope about? Pulias is a shining beacon of hope and civilisation throughout Europa, and there appear to be no inklings of wars on the horizon — as, in fact, there haven't been any since the Dawn. Was it that he doubted his father, the Honourable William Melda, would be successful in his re-election bid?

Charles replied that the future for Pulias and Europa and a whole does indeed seem bright what with the technological and social developments, the soon to be completed railway line from here to the capital and a stable political system the envy of Europa and the world. He said he had every confidence in his father's ability to re-secure his seat in the Senate and that it had nothing to do with Pulian politics. Instead he said the piece could be considered to be a reflection of the fear some hold for the rapidly-advancing future, of the seismic changes in society that are onward and continuing.

But what he hinted at, and what I think is the crux of the matter, was a feeling of isolation and loneliness. I would have pressed him on this very matter had I the luxury of an interview. As it is, we must instead simply imagine and wonder what would make the twenty-five-year-old composer at the start of his career feel isolated and lonely. I, myself, do not know for sure, but if any dear readers wish to try and deduce it then I would suggest dropping into your local music hall to hear Mr. Melda's latest offering: Without Hope.



Portrait of Charles Melda, composer (1830)

Editor's note: The views expressed here by Miss Megame do not necessarily reflect the views of the Haven Herald nor any of its staff.

It was my first political interview for the 1832 general election, and I braved the journey from the capital to Haven of Peace, past the incomplete railway line all the way to the Haven University. I was going to interview a new player on the political scene, who had already made waves. I was there to interview the newly declared independent senatorial candidate for Haven of Peace: Sofia Megame.

Women don't generally enter politics in Pulias, despite the recent emergence of my interview subject and the Pulias People's Party's new president, Aurora Gurra. Was this yet another change in our society, another death of the old traditions, or would it be merely a passing fad? Only time would answer these questions.

Despite my decade of experience in interviewing the heaviest political figures in the nation, I felt nervous. I had never discussed politics with women before, and I was unsure how the interview would go. Also, I had heard tales that this young woman was surprisingly intimidating, having already engaged in a very public disagreement with the Honourable Ernest Barnard, former Minister of Economy and founder of the Pulian Advancement Union.

I met Sofia Megame in the Haven University, where she works part-time as a lecturer. At first I couldn't pick her out from the students that surrounded her; she seemed to almost be one of them, with no sense of propriety or formality. She was very casual and laidback, and seemed to be enjoying herself far too much to be in a workplace. Looking to my eyes to be in her twenties, she appeared to be friends with these students, not their authority figure.

However, her jovial nature largely evaporated once the subject of politics came up. Although I must confess, I had never interviewed someone so . . . irreverent before.


H. Godwin: Thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice, Miss Megame. Is it Miss or Missus?


She gave me a decidedly amused look.


S. Megame: Do I look like the type of woman any kind of man would want to lay their hands on? It's 'Miss', and proud of it!

H.G.: Uh, thank you for clearing that up.


I was thrown off by the response. I tried to bring the interview back on course in order to ask my first real question.


H.G.: What skills or experience do you have that you think makes you qualified to stand in the upcoming election?

S.M.: Skills? Well, I'm good at whipping people's behinds, just ask my students!


She laughed abruptly, and I was again thrown off by how quickly she appeared to switch between moods.


S.M.: Seriously speaking though, I don't mean to brag, but, I think I can understand people more than most of the other politicians. I mean no offense to them though, they've ran this place well enough, I just want to join in the fun and help things out.

H.G.: I see. Why should the voters of Haven of Peace give you their vote?

S.M.: Why shouldn't they vote for me? Err, other than my general obscurity. Or the fact that I'm a woman. Or the fact that I came from an impoverished family. Or . . . well, you get what I mean. The odds are against me, but I'm not worried. I understand the common people — if they really don't want me taking this job, then that means I must really suck. If so, then I'll just have to prove to 'em so they'll elect me in the next election!

H.G.: Why are you running as an independent? Why have you not joined a political party and run under their banner?

S.M.: Simple, I don't know who to join! All of the parties have at least a bit of their ideology that matches with mine. And to be honest, I don't like the idea of being someone's lapdog. Still, I'm more than willing to join any of the parties if they can make their case.

H.G.: Independent candidates don't have a great track record in Pulian elections. In fact the only example I can think of took place in Coventry, and on that occasion most electors thought the candidate belonged to the Pulian Advancement Union! Why do you think you'll succeed where others have failed?

S.M.: I think I'm more honest than the rest of 'em. I hate lying and bending the truth. When I speak, I speak from the heart. Again, I ain't saying that the others are evil, lying, criminals. They did what they did to do what they think is right. And I admire the bravery they have to bend the truth in the name of what they think is the greater good.


This was a truly brazen accusation. I allowed it to hang in the air awkwardly without acknowledging it before I continued onward.


H.G.: Haven of Peace returns two Senators to the Pulian Senate. You're running up against the former Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable William Melda and the two-term Prime Minister of Pulias, the Honourable Heerlo. What chance do you think you stand against these two established and experienced men?

S.M.: 0.1%!


She laughed again.


S.M.: Okay, okay. Still, I acknowledge that victory isn't going to be easy for me. Buuuuut I'm not going to go cry in the corner over this. So what if I lose? I'll just prove myself to the Havenians and go for it again, next time!

H.G.: Have you met either of the candidates you're running against?

S.M.: Nope! But I wish I have! I've heard nothing but good things about them, and I'd love to meet with the people who've once had the nation's fate in their hands.

H.G.: Would you like to meet them in a debate?

S.M.: Eh, maybe. I'd love to go for a try, but there's nothing really to debate about. We're all fighting for the people — we're just doing it in different ways.

H.G.: Given that you're running against the former Prime Minister in his own backyard, if you're both successful in your bids for election would he have your vote to continue on to for a third term as Prime Minister?

S.M.: While being the Prime Minister myself would be a great victory for me, I know not to bite off more than I can chew. I see no reason not to vote for him, but we'll see how it goes first.

H.G.: Last year the surgeon Charles Thackrah published The Effects of the Principal Arts, Trades, and Professions, and of Civic States and Habits of Living, on Health and Longevity, with a particular reference to the trades and manufactures of Haven of Peace, and suggestions for the removal of many of the agents which produce disease and shorten the duration of life, a study in occupational and public health, the like of which has never been seen before. The former government did nothing with this report. As a local of this city, what are your thoughts about Doctor Thackrah's study?

S.M.: First of all, that's a long, long name. Couldn't they use an acronym for it or something? TEPATPCSHLHL? Holy Moly, that's still way too long! Err, anyways. Now, I've only skimmed through it before, so I'm not going to pull something out of my behind about this, but from what I've seen it is a very comprehensive and interesting study, and could be very useful in the management of this city. I'll need to study it more if I want to give a better opinion, however.

H.G.: I see. You have recently suggested that workers should be permitted to collectivise and form trade "unions". Would you care to elaborate on that?

S.M.: Let's put it at this way. If you want to know more about, say, diamonds, would you ask a government official or, well, a jeweller? So by that logic, why let the government decide on everything about a trade that they might only know the basis of when it could be done by people who know what they're doing, and what can be done to maximise the profits of that trade, and to ensure that those workers are being treated with what they deserve.

H.G.: You seem concerned about the national deficit. Can you elaborate on your policy positions?

S.M.: I think we need to concentrate on fixing the deficit first before doing anything else with our money. If you strengthen the first floor of a tower, the rest of the building would be stabilised as well. If you strengthen the economy now, then it will only serve to make things better for us in the future.

H.G.: Speaking of which, you recently engaged in a very public disagreement with the former Minister of Economy, fellow economist the Honourable Ernest Barnard, a man with nearly thirty-three years of political experience. Would you care to discuss that?

S.M.: Woah! I didn't disagree with anything! All I was saying was that his plans were not as good as mine, so . . . err, that actually does sound like a disagreement. Don't get me wrong, I respect him and it's no doubt that he has more experience than me. But everyone makes mistake, eh? That applies to everyone, including me. If I'm wrong, feel free to rub it in my face, or throw me in jail, or whatever; it'll be what I deserve to run things so badly. If he's wrong, then it's just a hiccup in his performance. If we're both wrong, well . . .


To say I was confused by that response would be an understatement. But I tried to quickly move on.


H.G.: It sounds as though you are fairly ideologically aligned with the Pulian Advancement Union. Are you afraid by pursuing so similar a policy programme that you won't be able to differentiate yourself? Is that why you publicly disagreed with the Honourable Ernest Barnard over monetary policy?

S.M.: Eh? No, nothing like that. As said before, I see a bit of myself in just about all of the political parties. Joining a party of like-minded people would be great, but it just hasn't happened yet.

H.G.: Moving on to another topic. In recent months a number of organisations sympathetic to Luddites have formed in response to the Pulian military campaign that destroyed a Luddite encampment and sent refugees into civilised nations, including Pulias. What is your opinion of these organisations, and of Luddites in general?

S.M.: Okay, I'll be honest here — I'm mixed. On one hand, I firmly believe that every human, no, every living being, is a good person in their core, and all should be given a chance for forgiveness. But at the same time, a wave of refugees means less and less job opportunities for the people of Pulias. So until I hear more about this, I'm staying out of it.

H.G.: If you do surpass all expectations and take your seat in the Senate, what power do you expect to have? You will obviously need to forge alliances with the established parties in the Senate. What possibilities do you envision?

S.M.: Ideally, I just want everyone to stop being so stubborn and work together for the good of everyone. Of course, that's more easier said than done. Still, I wish to form and maintain good relationships with everyone I meet. Enemies are never a good thing.

H.G.: Do you think your sex will cost you votes on election day?


She frowned at the question, but looked serious.


S.M.: Idealistically, no. Realistically, very likely. I'm not saying any further so this won't devolve into a rant.

H.G.: Many voters would consider it untoward for a member of the fairer sex to be debasing herself in the political arena. How do you respond to this sentiment?


She groaned exasperatedly.


S.M.: I think they really need to, oh I don't know, research, and find that women rulers were neither better or worse than many male rulers. You'd think the Public School system would fix things, but then again, many adults haven't gone through it yet . . .

H.G.: Are you concerned your political activism will harm your chances of finding a husband?


She quietened down. Eventually she gave me a cold stare that sent shivers down my spine.


S.M.: Hmm? Oh yeah. Probably. Likely. Maybe. Hell, I don't really care. I'll be honest here — I have, and likely never will be, interested in men.


The interview largely ended on that unnerving note.

So what do I think of the newest political aspirant in town?

To be completely honest I have never interviewed anyone like her before. What will the voters of Haven of Peace make of her? Clearly we won't know until election day, but if she does prevail over the Honourable Heerlo or the Honourable William Melda that will truly be an unpredicted result that will send shockwaves throughout the political establishment in Pulias City.

What would a Senate with Miss Megame in it look like? I cannot possibly imagine.