190① △ video

[retropolis]

[ Wherever he is, Nelson isn't at home; the scenery the camera captures as it turns on illuminates that easily. He isn't at home or even in Heropa, but rather Cape Canaveral's Air Force Space & Missile Museum, sitting outside the blockhouse on a bench. He's dressed not in a suit and tie for once but a blue-and-white polo t-shirt with an American flag pin affixed where the polo decal would be, and though he looks tired (circles under his eyes) he speaks with the steady confidence and enthusiasm he can always manage when he's in his element. As always, his posture is impeccable. ]

According to the calendar, today is President's Day. [ He smiles even more for saying it, turning his head briefly to admire the sunshine -- it's a beautiful day, and (in his opinion) he's in a beautiful place -- before he turns back toward the camera. ] Which I bring to everyone's general attention because it's not only a day of remembrance. At least it shouldn't be. We also ought to use today to reflect upon ourselves and what we've done that we can be truly proud of -- not just for ourselves but for our country as well. "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

[ His brow furrows mildly then and he clears his throat, understanding he has to elaborate. Already his ears begin to go red, his body growing tense and flustered already even before his mind gets there. ]

... I know not all of us come from the same place, of course. B-but while not everyone here may be American, there's no reason we shouldn't all stand together as long as we're here. It's irresponsible to let ourselves grow divided when we have a real duty. Y-you know, what's happening here now is what was happening to the world I know... it's more important than you might think, unity. Having a united front can mean the difference between life or death, no matter what your contribution is.

[ And a breath. Good job, Nelson, very inspiring, for sure, totally. He rubs at his wrist where the tattoo would show were it not broad daylight, but it's not a long pause, because he doesn't want to lose his courage for the rest of it. After another breath he pushes onward: ]

It won't always be what you'd like it to be. Sometimes you will have to make compromises... or sacrifices to pursue what you really believe in. You might have to fight and you might have to hide. But at least you won't be alone.

[ Exhale. His fingers fidget nervously. ]

I-I hope you can all understand what I'm saying.

[ Straightening his shoulders he offers his audience a very somber salute, having very clearly depressed himself. ]

United we stand, divided we fall.

Comments

[auntyquated]

( Nelson, you are a dear heart, and you are also thick as bricks. But that's okay. You're male; these sorts of things must be forgiven and carefully trained around. )

Sitting ducks for just about any organized force, I suspect. Now who are the Soviets? Why are they so frightful?

[retropolis]

[ His intelligence is saved for his booksmarts, not his common sense. And what a difference that makes. He's already a bit deflated when he continues: ]

The Soviet Union. [ Hesitating, he admits: ] Quite a loaded question, Sharon. The politics weren't simple, er-- here in the States part of it meant the threat of Communist spies in our government or atomic assault. Having said that, the Cold War of today may be different than the Cold War of then... possibly.

[ Times changing makes everything so complicated. ]

But if not them there's always something else.

[auntyquated]

I find it curious that something might be so similar as to be recognized, but so different at heart as to be difficult to understand where mentalities align. Why, even the United States seems to have experienced significant differences from the Earth of the City, from what I recall out of textbooks.

( Everything changing makes life complicated, Nelson. Simply attempt to use that intelligence of yours outside of the realm of the Academic, or accept what it may be handing down the line. )

You don't find any such differences here when held against your own personal experiences, Mister Gardner?

[retropolis]

Yes... it is curious, I can't really determine why that might be. But I've no frame of reference myself beyond the nineteen sixties.

[ It's too busy being wasted on the wrong causes and ideas, mostly. ]

I do have some difficulty reconciling it all with what I've experienced. Even with all the familiarity, things are different, but I can't say why they should be. I can recognize some of the sentiments and I never did find them wrong.

[auntyquated]

Sentiments are well worth acknowledging, Mister Gardner. I believe a fair share have been presented to you even here and now, from varying perspectives.

( She considers her words even more carefully. )

I've often found sentimentality has a certain flavor of nostalgia.

[retropolis]

[ At least she has the wisdom decency to let him down gently.

He's quiet, speaking after about half a minute of silence and after he clears his throat. ]

Nostalgia isn't a bad thing. Nor is change always necessary a good thing. It can't always be. My perspective is h-hardly any less worth acknowledging than any of these others -- I've got experience.

[ A huffy exhale. ]

You don't agree with me either, do you?

[auntyquated]

I agree that your perspective is worthwhile, Mister Gardner.

( No. No, she doesn't agree with the overall picture he painted. )

[retropolis]

[ He sighs. ]

Well, thank you for that much. Sometimes I'm not certain why I try if no one is interested in listening.

[auntyquated]

You try because you are a man of upstanding principles. What you say has a purpose, for all you may wish to explore a change in, mmm, presentation, shall we say? Listening is a skill that extends both ways, as I understand it.

[retropolis]

Presentation? ... Do you think I should have made a display? You know, I did consider it.

[ Those listening skills. ]

[auntyquated]

Not quite what I meant by presentation, though there are times where displays of this or that may be beneficial.

( Nelson, please. )

[retropolis]

I think so, but the last time-- [ Well, he'd rather not go into that little incident. ] Maybe it would be worthwhile the next time I have something to say, assuming I find reason to bother. It's a lot of effort to go to.

[ He pauses. ]

What was it that you meant, then?

[auntyquated]

Public speaking is a presentation any gentleman or well bred woman knows to carefully engage, particularly when treading near subjects where one expects a heated response. Politics being a subject that almost always merits a visceral reaction out of those involved in the discussion, well informed or otherwise.

( She sees him making a political statement, regardless of intent, and that is where presentation is everything. )