Beverly Strom
New Member
We present to the public who we wish to be but among each other there are no secrets
Posts: 8
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Post by Beverly Strom on Oct 22, 2009 0:48:00 GMT -5
(nods) Congressman Vandeweerd, good day. I suppose it wasn't conspiracy that led to the break down of the desalination plants? Do you realize those plants serviced our poorest people? What have they ever done to you or Corporate Alaska?
You live in your water rich country and you don't think about how hard the poor have to struggle just to buy a gallon of re-cycled water. I was lucky. I was raised in the Santa Barbara Compound, bio-operative 311. We've nearly perfected our input/ output renewable resource techniques. We have very little reliance on outside management. Yet, I understand not everyone can be so fortunate. Just miles from my town, people are fighting desperately to keep back the barrens. The cities are infested with disease and unsanitary conditions because of a lack of water. Why add to their misery? If you know what happened behind the disruption of the desalination plant, you should expose it. You should let the world see the villains for what they are.
Thank you, President Novgorod. Your coat is warm. Fur, isn't it? Your country still has fur bearing animals?
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Post by Pres. Vladimir Novogrod on Oct 22, 2009 1:17:54 GMT -5
My country still has fur bearing animals! But we don't kill them in many years. This coat was given to me by my grandfather. I only wear it at times like this, when i know i shall be going into a place very, very cold. It would do you well to study your geography if you are to be an International correspondent.
Poker! Splendid idea! Isn't this who we are, poker players at the round table of democratic process? (waves people toward the lounge as though he was the primary reason they had gathered together) You don't agree, Ms. Strom? You have what do they call in English; a heart that bleeds. What to do about the masses? A difficult question, isn't it? But in Poker, they throw them out; the twos, the threes and the fours. They peek cautiously at their collection of aces, kings and queens; for this is their power structure. You want everyone to believe you have a powerful hand; but how powerful? How do you keep leading in the bets? How do you make them fold if all you have is a full house of fives and sevens, and someone else could be leading you on with something more powerful? Poker isn't always so much about what you're holding in your hand as in how you place your bets. (slaps Troyal Barker on the back.) Isn't that right, Mr. President of Texas?"
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Post by president Ting on Oct 23, 2009 2:40:37 GMT -5
(with a small laugh) I would call this a little more hospitable. Why in the world were we up there on the deck watching ice chunks crash up over the sides and turning into popsickles? There will be plenty of time for viewing ice, I think, tomorrow, and we will have quite enough of looking at it by the time we're done. Poker, Vladimir? Congressman Vandeweerd? I've always considered card games a vice. But look here. That young girl in the corner is selling wool sweaters. Ms. Sturm, why don't you use credits from your expense account and buy one? A full length one would look nice on you and you would no longer have to borrow coats. President Novgorod is right. If you are to become an International correspondent, you must have proper dress. (shoos the reporter on her way) She's a bit young and innocent, I think, but she has very high media ratings. Verbatim has already been projected as the number one hit of the season. A little exciting to think we've gained more public interest than halo stars.
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klaus Vandeweerd
New Member
The irresponsible shall not fasten their hopes on the responsible
Posts: 13
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Post by klaus Vandeweerd on Oct 23, 2009 2:59:34 GMT -5
President Ting, you flatter yourself. If we were that popular, we'd be tripping over holo techs every few feet. We have one lone reporter with a scan, hoping to make a big show. And we, unfortunately, are her star players.
No poker for you? A shame. But then, for those who remember such ancient customs, it was once considered a gentleman's game.
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Post by Pres. Vladimir Novogrod on Oct 25, 2009 19:13:14 GMT -5
My country long ago acknowledged the intellectual capacities of women, Congressman Klaus Vandeweerd, and therefore understand there are also gentlewomen. I see a few of them have joined us at the table; Europol crime specialist technician, Ethel Mallory, good to see you again. Northwest Corporate Management Adviser, Martha Tworivers, always a pleasure.
Vices? I worry more about those who have no vices. There is a custom among indigenous people of Central America. As a friend of Mexico President, I'm sure you've heard of it, no? President Barker? After a good meal, one always enjoys a good cigarette with the host. It's a manner of politeness. After a good meal, a good cigarette, but it is more than that. They say the devil doesn't smoke. The devil doesn't have vices. He only uses yours to pull you into his trap. So then, if you have no vices, how shall we know you are not doing the work of the devil? Ah. But you are not superstitious. Do you think that makes any difference to those who are? A game of poker! A shot of vodka and a cigarette. These are good vices. These will separate ourselves out from the devil.
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Post by President Troyal Barker on Oct 29, 2009 3:20:12 GMT -5
Well I tell ya what, back in Texas, you know that place I'm President of, I earned quite a reputation as a championship poker player. I was a gambling man since I was out of grade school. Casinos and bets between colleagues put me through college. So I say President Vladimir here should pour me a Russian Baltika and let the party get started.
One thing's for sure though, and I hope everyone here understands this, I may talk till the cows come home...but I never bluff. Not when it counts.
So I say let us gentleman here show the ladies how the game is played. I got no objection to a friendly game as long as I get a good home cooked meal out of it. I'd do damned near anything for a buffet of hush puppies and pork chops. (Laughs) Maybe this is what Sal would call a peaceful resolution. I just hope there's no hard feelings when old Vladimir here walks away without his pants. (Laughs) I'm just teasing you, fellow. Russia and its vices are A-OK in my book.
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Post by President Sal Stafford on Oct 29, 2009 3:24:24 GMT -5
I would find it hard to believe that the fate of the modern world would rest on the outcome of a poker game. I'm up for diplomatic solutions. I'm up for anything that makes us friends and not enemies. I've played a few games of poker myself. I have no objection to it. But I would hope we can come to a peaceful agreement with the Northern Alliance without leaving it up to chance. I would play provided everyone understands this is a friendly game, including Mr. Vandeweerd.
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klaus Vandeweerd
New Member
The irresponsible shall not fasten their hopes on the responsible
Posts: 13
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Post by klaus Vandeweerd on Oct 31, 2009 1:39:35 GMT -5
The fate of the world, President Stafford? I think it's more like the fate of your personal credit account. We place the ceiling at thirty credits a night. You go over that, you're out of the game. (shakes hands around the table) Ms. Mallory, congratulations on the counterfeit identichip bust. I still wonder how many people work for me who actually know what they're doing. I hear it was a rather extensive operation. We won't have phony horticulturists will we, trying to graft frog legs on to tree limbs?
Ms. Tworivers, i see you're wearing your lucky ivory talisman. Don't rub it in my direction tonight. I don't think i can stand to lose another 140 credits the way I did the last time we held a tournament. Three weeks of poker, people. That's what she did to me. Three weeks of relentless game. She's ruthless.
(sits down, nods around the table as the others take their seats, and watches the cards being shuffled.) President Stafford, I'm a man who likes to sit back and relax after a hard day's work. Have a few drinks with my associates. Enjoy a game or two in the evening. Clear my head. (he looks at the five cards he was given, lays two face down on the table and waits passively for their replacement.) I play games of chance, but the chances I take at cards do not reflect the chances I will take with my country, or the alliance. I do not take chances with them.
Are you a sincere man, Mr. Stafford? Are you a man who so sincerely loves his country, he will live, die, dare to do anything for it? Are you a man who loves your people; yes, your people, Mr. Stafford. The ones who depend on your pills to live and your pills to keep them happy. What would you do or not do for them? (adds a colored marker to the ante) Or do you think about them?
(smiles) Betting heavy a bit early, aren't you, Novogrod? I don't think you have the muscle you say you have. I'll raise you by two demimarcs.
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Post by Pres. Vladimir Novogrod on Nov 4, 2009 1:35:40 GMT -5
Maybe I look to see who has muscle and who isn't afraid to flex them. I match your two demimarcs and raise them two more. Tonight, young Mr. Vandeweerd, I do you a favor. I make you close early so you may say hello to that sweater selling girl.
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klaus Vandeweerd
New Member
The irresponsible shall not fasten their hopes on the responsible
Posts: 13
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Post by klaus Vandeweerd on Nov 4, 2009 1:46:34 GMT -5
I wouldn't know what to say to her. Hispanic women mystify me. What is it about them; their eyes? They seem wiser and deeper than others, somehow. Maybe it's their language. It sings. They will change the word ending rules to keep it musical. What about you, Novgorod? Do you think sometimes about Hispanic women?
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Post by Pres. Vladimir Novogrod on Nov 4, 2009 2:00:06 GMT -5
Ah, no, Mr. Vandeweerd. I am a married man. I leave these things to the young and dissatisfied. President of Texas here, I think he could tell you something of mysterious Hispanic women. I think maybe he could teach you many things. Place your bet, Mr. Texas. I am ready to see your muscle.
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Post by President Troyal Barker on Nov 4, 2009 16:00:00 GMT -5
Hot damn, someone up there loves me. I'll see your demimarcs and raise you by 5. I tell you what, Vandeweerd, Hispanic women are a handful. My first wife was a Mexican. She was horny as hell at first but she let you know when she was disappointed. All Latina women seem to have a certain entitlement about them. They have the right to be there, and the men that don't acknowledge that can vamanos and high tail it back to Mexico. She made a hell of a tortilla soup, though, I'll give her that.
Hey, if things go well here Klaus, I'll set you up with a Hispanic girl from the Texico peninsula. Ohh, they're mighty pretty down there. Black curly hair and with pure brown sugar skin, eyes like onyx stone. You got to be tough, you got to be a real man to control them. But I think Klaus here is man enough. Give me a call Klaus, when you're ready.
Hell, the only thing Texas has got more of than pigs is Latina women.
Well gentleman, I hope you remember what I said about not bluffing because I have two Mexican senoritas to introduce to you right now. They're all nice and pretty just like Klaus likes them.
(Turns over two Queens, plainly visible to the group)
So like my wife says to me on laundry day, I think it's time for some folding! (Laughs)
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Post by President Sal Stafford on Nov 4, 2009 16:10:25 GMT -5
Well, I look forward to a friendly game, President Vandeweerd. I appreciate your fine description of what a politician should be. (Grins) I don't think there is a man here who wouldn't die for his country. I speak about general disregard, recklessness, one might call it. It's the sort of thing that tears countries apart. I know from experience.
Interestingly, as many people believe that Poker was an invention of the Americas, its roots actually date back to As Nas, which was being played in 15th century Persia. A useless fact, perhaps, but I've always been a keen observer of history.
Well, Troyal, it looks as if you have everyone's number. I'll be the first to respectably fold.
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klaus Vandeweerd
New Member
The irresponsible shall not fasten their hopes on the responsible
Posts: 13
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Post by klaus Vandeweerd on Nov 4, 2009 20:36:44 GMT -5
That's a little too royal a display for me. I'll fold and hope to recover my losses in the next hand. A Texan Peninsula girl, eh, Mr. Barker? I thought Texan girls didn't like cold climates or sparsely populated areas. We've only got one holosphere in the entire country. Whatever would she do for entertainment?
We can never quite be who we should be, Mr. Stafford. We are persuaded by the necessary and conflicted by our interests. London and New York lead the world in pharmaceutical industry, yet the public still struggles under primitive conditions. Instead of tapping the main water sources, why don't you accept the trade agreement for an advanced refinery plant and the new energized seed package?
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Post by president Ting on Nov 8, 2009 17:16:06 GMT -5
Klaus, for rad's sake, you're not being offered a wife, just a girl you can have a little fun with. I believe the marital institution is so archaic anyway. It hasn't been a dominant part of our society since the last of the embryonic purges in the twenties. I'm surprised Vladimir, that you still cling such an old-fashioned ideology, but Russia always has been a stubborn republic, even returning to its churches after years of atheism. Your ancestral worship may well end up stagnating your abilities as a world power one day.
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