Video/Action

[mightthinkthat]

[ Francis smiles into camera, looking his usual confident self, light suit, dark colours this time. His background is simple, uncluttered, with the foreground only revealing that he's sitting on a dark wood desk.

The general impression is that of traditional values and security - what Francis represents. ]

I haven't been here very long. [ Get what vulnerabilities he does have out of the way first. Name and move on. ] But I'm absolutely delighted to report that I've found myself to be very welcome here in Nonah. [ Emphasise that he, unlike his opponent, actually lives in the place he's looking to represent. ] The people here have been generous and kind when it can be so easy not to be.

We've had our attacks. From without and within. When I first arrived, I was a victim of Crane's attack. Thanks to Sabriel's fine work and bravery, I was able to overcome it and my fears to realise how people had come together not only to help the victims of the attack but to uncover Crane's responsibility, not in a witch-hunt, but with a view forward, and very important questions as to how we should treat those within our community. [ Just let's ignore that Batman chose to do that via kidnapping, but hey, the questions got asked! ]

The experience, though certainly not something I'd ask to have placed in any brochure, showed me not only my fears, but the potential that can come from the imPort community in overcoming such strife. I was emboldened that day to do my very best to represent us to our hosts. [ A nice reminder about how his PR job already has similarities to the Ambassador gig. ]

To that end. [ The point, it has arrived! ] I nominated myself for the position as Ambassador to Nonah.

My family had come down, many centuries ago, from Scotland to England to serve King James and my country. Public service is in my blood and I had distinguished myself in my previous life by serving my country, first in the Scots Guard and then part of Westminster, rising as far as Prime Minister. [ He'd hedged regarding his rank before, but now is not the time to be shy about his credentials. ] 

At home, I am dead. Killed while I was attending a ceremony for my predecessor [ who he loathed. But hey, hardly anyone here seems to like Maggie Thatcher, so small mercies. ] and dying in my wife's arms. I can't go back. [ Full of feeling. But mostly because he misses The Wife. Not that he particularly misses the situation. But, hey, if it gets him the job! ] Here I have a blessed opportunity to have what I cannot at home. And I want to use this extra time to serve as your Ambassador, if you would be so kind as to allow the indulgence. [ Finishing off on a note of subservience. Perfect. ]

[ Action for Ruby ]

[ He finds Ruby's shop, looking in the window first before venturing inside. His first instinct is to look around before searching for Ruby herself and even then he only meets her eyes with a smile. ]

[ Action for Papyrus ] 

[ Francis is wondering if he is going to be in over his head with this guy. He could very well run away with his enthusiasm, if Francis can't coral him. But still, the effort will amuse him for a while and he knows full well what happens when he is lacking in amusement. Not that he's solely against that... he would like more power before he goes off the rails. Better cover. Which he'll need now that death's off the table. ]

Good afternoon, Papyrus. Hope you're settling in well?

Comments

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[quaerit]

As pitches go, that's a fairly solid one, Mr Urquhart.

I'm sorry to hear about what happened to you. [ Dying, he means. Regardless of how it happened, that's something that stays with you. This man talks about it with the kind of stability Gansey always aims towards, and wishes he could attain in truth.

That means, of course, that what's on the surface is not always what's underneath. He knows that better than anyone. But if this is a show, it's a good one. ]

Does it conflict you to be in public service here - to be involved with the American government, when it's clear you felt great loyalty to Britain? That's not something I would have imagined to be easy.

[mightthinkthat]

Well, thank you.

[ He nods at the second part. It does stay with you. It helps that he understands the reason behind it and knows it came from love, but there's enough truth in his feeling that it's genuine. ]

Well, I'd rather have a nice home in London, but at the end of the day, Britain and America have been allies more than we've been at odds at this point.

And I can't honestly say that about the Russians.

And I am an imPort, so representing you and the others is as good as representing myself. So long as I can invest in people, I can serve them.

[quaerit]

[ Spoken like a true politician. That's a line worthy of a campaign poster. Gansey, who comes from a line of people who've had their share of campaign posters, is skeptical.

But he doesn't hear malice in anything Urquhart says. His smile is polite, practiced. The kind that ought to come with a red tie around his neck. ]

I'm in De Chima, actually. But I appreciate the sentiment. I'm interested in who is able to represent us, on the whole. It's no secret that our public image is weaker than it could be. What will your stance on Russia be, since we're on the topic? The government here has enough interest in imports involving themselves, after all.

[mightthinkthat]

[ He is not ashamed of being a politician. It's how he changes the world and it's the least harmful way of doing it. (Not that he hasn't done harm, but if he'd been a drug dealer... well, Walter White would have something of a challenger.)

He shrugs at the De Chima point. ]

I'm not really interested in dividing up the territories so rigidly. I think it might be naive of me to assume that what happens here isn't going to affect the other cities and vice versa. Even if I'm not going to represent you directly, I'm sure you still have a stake.

Where I'm from, we'd reached a detente, so I'm not anxious to particularly antagonise them. But if we are under direct threat by them, I'll do what I can to make sure we respond together, not as a bunch of impressionable amateurs.

The Russians value strength and unity, even though their methods don't live up to our standards, they'll only respect us if we are unified.

[quaerit]

[ That's a good answer, Gansey thinks; inclusive and thoughtful, even if he doesn't entirely agree. He would, in all truth, prefer not to get involved with Russia at all.

He's aware that's naive. ]

So your message is one of unity above division.

It's a good one, I have to admit. I suppose the question I would have is how we achieve that sort of unity when there are those among us - this Crane, for example - who have set about bringing all imports into disrepute. When it comes to public relations, someone like him is unfortunately representing all imports through his actions. It's difficult to show a united front when we are all at such odds with each other.

[mightthinkthat]

That means I'll have to put forward ImPorts who work very hard and continue to do so to be a proper part of this world.

The difficulty mostly lies in the fact that we can't punish Crane or anyone else who act out of order. Not properly. But I don't dictate policy to that extent.

[quaerit]

No. But the problem with that is that imports are being treated differently from ordinary citizens, and from that point of view, it’s something an Ambassador could talk about.

[ Gansey raises his eyebrows. That’s an issue for him in general. ]

Unless I’m misunderstanding what the role is to be about, obviously.

[mightthinkthat]

I can talk all I wish and I will likely be doing so, but I'm limited in what I can do about it. Not that I don't appreciate the power you're giving me.

[quaerit]

If only it were as easy as my offering.

[ He leans back, smiling. ]

You'll have my support. Whether you have my vote will depend on whether there's an age restriction on that, but either way, I do wish you luck, Mr Urquhart.

[mightthinkthat]

Very much appreciated, thank you.[ Every confidence is useful to him, so he's not put out. ]

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[helpline]

Francis Urquhart, prime minister. [ yes, we know who you are. ] Going from Prime Minister to City Ambassador's a bit of a downgrade. How do we know you'll stick around?

[mightthinkthat]

[ He gets the sense that the Doctor appreciates bluntness, and as Francis appreciates too (even when he's being circumspect), he responds with it. ] Well, for one thing, you don't. People disappear and reappear. I can't help that.

Are you afraid I'll get bored? Swan off to the Bahamas? What else could I do that brings both my experience to bear as well as serve those around me? I'm not a man who rests on his laurels or takes roles simply because the title suits me.

And while we're on the subject, why do you think this is a downgrade? This isn't a regular old city ambassador where I have to devote my time with trade junkets and paperwork, this is a unique community with extremely disparate individuals from all walks of life and not even from the same world. I'd be a damned fool not to take it up with both hands!

This isn't about titles, this is about challenge.

[helpline]

I'm not afraid you'd get bored. Only a complete moron would run for a job they don't want to do. No, I'm afraid you'll get your mind set on bigger and better things. There's only going to be more of us, it wouldn't surprise me if sometime soon there's the Bureau of ImPort Affairs, who's to say you won't jump ship then?

[ he's all very calm about this...but it's not combative. he really does appreciate the bluntness even if Francis is (shudder) a politician ]

[mightthinkthat]

It would surprise me, though I suppose what 'soon' means to you. As for what I'll choose to do in that situation, it's pretty difficult to deal with such hypotheticals.

It'll depend on what the needs of the time were, you see. What a Bureau of ImPort Affairs will be. I wouldn't simply 'jump ship', however, even if I do decide to move on.

[helpline]

Truth be told, I thought there was a bureau already, that's why I'm not surprised. This is politics, aren't there bureaus and committees for everything?

[ but back to the matter at hand ] That's a smart answer though, putting it off until it actually happens. Makes everybody happy, doesn't bind you to any of those pesky hypotheticals. I can see why you were PM in your world.

[mightthinkthat]

[ Big smile. ] Only if people keep asking us annoying questions.

[ He snorts a laugh. ] All right, five months from now, what will you be doing?

[helpline]

I'll be back home. [ because he is THAT CONFIDENT and THAT EGOTISTICAL in assuming he's gonna solve everything and get home by himself. ]

Hopefully you'll be as well.

[mightthinkthat]

[ He shrugs. ] Now you're just changing the rules of the hypothetical. If we're all going to be home in five months, why would you be worried about my staying power?

[helpline]

A, some people might want to stay here and B, who's to say that said hypothetical position won't appear a month from now? And besides, it's my hypothetical, I can change the rules if I want.

[mightthinkthat]

Well, they might, indeed, but in that case, they're more likely to want to assimilate and be in lesser numbers, so my job would be easier to do and probably be under the remit of this hypothetical position.

And I can say it, because I know how government works. A month is a near impossibility, I assure you.

You were sharing with me, so it's our hypothetical.

[helpline]

How d'you know it's not in the works already? [ Doctor, stop being contrary... ]

[mightthinkthat]

[ Francis just smiles. ] Bad at losing arguments, are you?

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[countdone]

A Prime Minister, huh? That's a very important person to get sucked in here.

And quite a title to drop without telling us any of your policies.

[mightthinkthat]

I've told you my policies. If you want to know my policies as Prime Minister, well, I have been in the job for many years. I encouraged trade, businesses and a strong European presence.

It would help if you told me more about what you were interested in.

voice; encrypted

[viced]

Shit, you died? [ A pause. ]

But, ah, good luck. It'd be nice to work with an honest-to-god politician in the future.

voice; encrypted

[mightthinkthat]

[ He's a little amused by the reaction. ]

Ah, yes, well. Rather less permanent than I had imagined. [ Well that wasn't awkward at all, was it? ]

I appreciate it.

voice; encrypted

[viced]

Welcome to being an import. I died, twice, back in the last world we were at, before we showed up here.

It's not a pleasant experience, honestly. And I assume an assassination? I'm sure someone's head rolled for that one.

[mightthinkthat]

That unpopular, were you?

Well, I don't suppose I'll find that out. [ But he hopes his wife has gotten away with it. ]

[viced]

Well, one was an alternate universe, and the other was... a teenager? Shit, I don't know if that makes me unpopular or unlucky, but I never had too many problems in the City.

Just really shit luck.

[ A beat, either way. ] I guess yeah, you won't ever know. Kind of depressing, when you think about it. The way that shit happens.

[mightthinkthat]

I suppose this sort of situation invites misfortune.

What? Murder? Or not knowing?

[viced]

Not knowing. [ He's a touch calm, but then again, Mitchell had certainly been calm after he'd been killed the second time.

He had, after all, talked his bodyguard into doing it. No need to pry. ]

I don't know, I guess maybe I'm just fucking nosy. It's probably better to accept that, huh?

[mightthinkthat]

[ He makes an agreeing nod, but in all honesty, he has little reason to doubt his wife's abilities to hatch a plan that'll cover herself, so he's not all that cut up. ]

I suppose. I don't doubt the efforts of British Intelligence, of course. James Bond mightn't be real where I come from, but I've never had cause to doubt them before.

[viced]

Honestly? Bond isn't that great of an investigator anyway. [ A beat. ]

Speaking as a friend, of course. He was here for a while.

[mightthinkthat]

I imagine he was, yes.

[viced]

Much better for blowing shit up, but I'm sure I don't have to tell you.

Makes a pretty decent bodyguard, though.

[mightthinkthat]

I'll keep that in mind. [ He honestly doesn't care this much about James Bond and almost regrets bringing him up. ]

[viced]

Well, ah -- [ He's not used to such brevity. ] If you need anything, let me know. I'd be happy to offer what I can.

[mightthinkthat]

[ Whoops. He smiles. ]

Thank you. I'll be sure to think of you. [ If only because you seem to want his attention a bit. ]

perma-action;

[htespagheti]

[He may have been over his head just commenting to this guy. Papyrus' bony (ha ha) arms are full of rolled-up papers -- evidently he's been busy drawing up plans for the event. So he's got to be dedicated, at least, right...?]

HELLO!!

[How does he make his voice that supernaturally grating? It's anyone's guess.]

VERY WELL, THANK YOU. EVERYONE HERE IS SO KIND! IT DOES A SKELETON'S HEART GOOD! OR, MORE ACCURATELY, MY CHEST CAVITY????

[mightthinkthat]

[ Francis is probably not doing his nerves any favours, though he comes across as having a sense of humour, he's still cuts a significant figure.

But he's smiling for the moment. ]

I'm certainly glad to hear it. Do you eat or drink, at all?

[htespagheti]

IF I COULDN'T EAT, I COULDN'T PREPARE THE FINEST PASTAS FOR MY FRIENDS! WHAT A TRAGEDY THAT WOULD BE!

BUT DRINKS GO RIGHT THROUGH ME.

[Papyrus has met his king, so ostensibly he should be prepared for something as simple as a job prospect. But no one's ever wanted him to decorate anything before -- so can be forgiven sweating a little. Literally, he is sweating a little. Pay no mind to how it's possible for a skeleton.]

[mightthinkthat]

[ That distinction makes no sense to Francis, though he wonders if he should bother when it's a talking skeleton. ]

I suppose there are advantages. Can I offer you anything?

[htespagheti]

DO NOT FRET! I ENSURED I FILLED UP ON MY HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI BEFOREHAND AND DID MY POWER STRETCHES. I AM BURSTING WITH CREATIVE ENERGY!!!!!

[Speaking of, he brandishes his design papers.]

PREPARE TO BE BLOWN AWAY!

[mightthinkthat]

Makes my offering you hospitality a little awkward, but if you're not hungry, you're not hungry.

[ He reaches out for them.

He smiles. ]

Let's see what you have. Then I'll tell you what I need.