maskormenace | video;

I'm gonna try and keep this short.

[says a smiling Sam Merlotte, wearing familiar plaid and jeans against the familiar wood and glass backdrop of his bar.]

My name's Sam Merlotte. I live in De Chima and I run Merlotte's, which - if I'm allowed to brag a bit - is probably about the best bar and grill you could stumble into or out. Now, this isn't the first time I've thrown my hat in this particular ring, and there's a lot about what I stand for that I think you're gonna find in common with the other candidates, but I don't think that's a bad thing. Core values are what shapes a community.

Community's my platform. People don't say it enough, but we're a remarkable group - and not really for the things people do talk about us for. ImPorts start off here a bunch of strangers with our lives turned upside down, and yet instead of scatterin' to the winds, we build somethin' together. You see it every month, how we offer help to newcomers and answer questions. And while we've also got our troublemakers, that exception doesn't break the rule. Time and again I've seen trouble hit and imPorts join one another to reach out and speak up.

And in the end, that's what an ambassador is: the voice of the community. Given the opportunity to be the Ambassador of De Chima, I'd like to use that voice to strengthen inter-community communication between ourselves, the government, and the natives. More specifically, I'd like to work with the other Ambassadors to start regular town halls in the imPort cities for community outreach, and to open the floor for imPorts to address concerns and discuss solutions. I'd also like to look into establishin' a more official welcome wagon for new imPorts, to ease the imPortation process. Both of which I'm perfectly willin' to get into more detail about with anyone who'd like to ask... but I think I've already pushed my own time limit.

[Sam straightens and nods to the camera.]

So lemme just leave you with this: however strong you are, I believe we're stronger together. And if that's somethin' you'd like to see represented in De Chima, I hope you'll vote Merlotte.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No one else has addressed the prospect of uniting forces with the other ambassadors, which is a highly important part of taking on the position. Alone, we serve as important community leaders and can do a great deal for our cities. But, to borrow your words, we are stronger together. And I am glad to see you are willing to work with myself and Lord Vorkosigan.

Thank you, Ambassador. I appreciate what you'n Mr. Vorkosigan have managed to do for your cities, it only makes sense I'd want to pool that talent. Plus I'm sure you both have your own ideas you'd like to see supported - the more hands you've got for the work, the easier it goes.

[ Oh, Petyr smiles so humbly after the compliment, bowing his head. ]

Well, I cannot speak for Lord Vorkosigan, but I have only done my duties for Maurtia Falls. And I still fear it's sometimes not enough. But should you get elected, having your support would be a wonderful thing. Especially in times of crisis.

And that is something you must prepare for as well -- because there will be a crisis that hits one or all the porter cities at one time or another. Have you any plans for how you may respond to a threat or natural disaster?

'Course. I don't plan to leave anybody high 'n dry when trouble hits.

I was actually thinkin' we could have a more organized volunteer group, like an emergency response team. People who can respond to a call pretty quick when shit hits the fan. Like minutemen, sort've. I know we've got RISE, but they're a little too militaristic for my tastes. I prefer a more "firemen brigade" feeling to this, so we don't alarm people.

RISE has left a rather poor taste in the mouths of many. And it's not by any real fault of their own, but people see them as having too much power over the imPort population. Your group of volunteers would be more widely accepted. And I am personally of the belief that each porter city should have their own responders regardless. RISE can only stretch themselves so far, after all.

Establishing safe places to evacuate natives as well as imPorts could also be something to consider. A sort of 'firehouse' for your 'firemen brigade.'

[Sam nods his agreement.]

Good thought. I know the government has a hell of a time coordinatin' all that when disaster hits. Every little bit helps in times like that, and our community's more equipped to help than most.

We are. Cities take a great deal of damage. Innocents usually lose their lives in battle. So giving them a place to go that is deemed safe would lessen the loss. And should the government not be cooperative with your request, I've learned that imPorts can be very generous when it comes to helping fund large projects such as that.

I'll say you have. I've seen your library - can't really get more impressive than that.

Well, I'll agree. Until you've built something of your own in De Chima, that is.