Restoration

[Quilboarian]

You are David Marshall, the state governor of an area located south of Lake Theo. Your place of residence and work is the State Hall in Denmont city, the state capital. This building has since underwent renovations and bolstered security. It has been accommodated with living spaces for you and any family members you may have, as well as a kitchen, living room, etcetera. A razorwire fence surrounds the perimeter and a boom barrier is required to be passed through in order to enter the parking lot. In addition to that, security police armed with automatic weapons patrol the area and man the entry checkpoint. It is safe to say that the whole place is relatively secure from intrusion.


You are sitting at your desk by the window, and a small set of reports rests on your desk. You can look them over at any time, and they should be periodically updated. [see pad.]

 

[Tkalec]

I start tapping my fingers impatiently while waiting for my subordinates to arrive. Immediately after my transfer to a new district, I asked for a staff meeting before taking the Oath of office. Truth to be told, I am not really a fan of ceremonies. Gaining an insight of the mentality of my staff seemed a far more important endeavour.


After a few more minutes of waiting, I decide to stand up and inspect my new office in order to pass the time and familiarize myself with the room I will probably spend a lot of time in, in the months to come.

 

[Quilboarian]

Your office contains a large wooden desk, with two chairs on one side, for any guests in your office, and your own on the other. Aside from the assorted cabinets, bookshelves and such, there is an unhooked television in the room as well. A few nails poke out from the wall, marking places where picture frames would usually be hung. Inside of a glass case behind your desk is a snubnosed black revolver chambered for .32 calibre rounds, along with a small container of ammunition. It was deemed necessary that some public officials be allowed to possess a handgun, and be granted exemption from any regional laws where they might be prevented from doing so.


You should be able to head down to the conference room at this point in time, where the staff should be beginning to gather.

 

[Tkalec]

Having a few more minutes to spare, I decide to quickly light a cigarette before leaving the office. After the outbreak, cigarettes became a rare commodity but I always made sure I had them.


To further entertain myself, I gaze out of the window to insepct the exterior and the people that should start arriving any minute now to the front entrance.

 

[Quilboarian]

You see the security gate open up and let a car through, which subsequently parks itself in the one of the open spaces in the lot. One of the later arrivals, no doubt. The parking lot contains a couple other vehicles belonging to the staff that are already here, as well as a few police cruisers for the officers guarding the grounds. More empty than before the outbreak, no doubt, especially with the tighter restrictions on entry.

 

[Tkalec]

I quickly finish the cigarette and proceed to leave the office. Closing the door behind me, I find myself in another office adjacent to mine. This one belonged to my secretary. I met her just a few days ago, but nevertheless I felt comfortable enough using her first name to greet her. "Good morning, Linda." I say passing by her desk.

 

[Quilboarian]

With a small smile, the woman looks up at you from the paperwork on her desk. Linda would be a woman in her early forties, with small earrings and her black hair in a bob. "Good morning, Mister Marshall," she says to you, before turning her head to the clock in the room. "Will you be needing any assistance during the meeting?" she asks, turning back to you.

 

[Tkalec]

"No, thank you Linda. Just stay here and return my calls until I get back." I say half distracted and in a hurry. After leaving her office I proceed down the hall towards the conference room, lost in my thoughts.


"Finally, I will get to see with my own eyes the incompetence I will have to deal with in this place." I think to myself. Even though I knew nothing of my staff yet, one thing remains certain; my expectations are low.

 

[Quilboarian]

As you approach the door to the conference room, you see two national guardsmen in neat dress uniforms and berets standing outside the door, at ease. Considering protection of the building is provided by the security police assigned to it, rather than the National Guard, it can be assumed that these men are escorts of Major Kirley, who is supposed to be attending the meeting. Both men turn their heads as they acknowledge you, and one nods to the open door.

 

[Tkalec]

I quickly rush inside heading straight towards the podium. The room is quiet as whispers now begin to subside, silence is only interrupted by the echo of my steps. "I will keep this short and to the point." I say breaking the silence. "I know how tiresome long speeches can be."

 

[Quilboarian]

The small gathering of bureaucrats and advisors remain silent, although a few nodding heads are able to be seen. All eyes in the room are focused on you, as they wait for you to deliver your message.

 

[Tkalec]

I always attempt to make a striking first impression, and this was no exception. In order to properly carry out this endeavour, one must carefully choose his words and actions. Everything has to be just right; from the tone of the voice all the way to the slightest and seemingly unnoticeable details. Some people may find this amount of micromanagement a bit farfetched, but it always proves to be well worth the trouble. Humans are very judgemental creatures. When we first meet somebody, we can instantly know whether we like that person or not. A judgement based only on a few minutes of conversation and observing the other persons gestures. When we are aware of these subtle processes, we can use them to our advantage. Of course, I wasn't trying to make these people like me. To be honest, I did't even want that. My goal is to assert authority and instill a little fear into their minds just to make sure nobody would cause any trouble.


With all that in mind, I continue quietly towards the podium. Once there, I climb a few stairs and reach the top afterwhich I position myself behind the lectern placing my hands on the hard wood. I take the time and scan the room, all the way from the left corner to the right.

 

[Quilboarian]

Your audience continues to quietly wait for you to begin to speak. Some hands are folded, some legs are crossed, all backs are straight, and all eyes are looking at you.

 

[Tkalec]

"I won't get into the policies of my predecessor, but what I will do is express my concern over the reports on my desk." I make a short pause before continuing. "High rate of unemployment that is increasing every day. Violent crimes on the streets. Illegal drug trade. Gang violence." I make another dramatic pause. "Do you know how many police officers are keeping this place from complete anarchy? Less than three hundred in Denmont and a handful in Gormanton. These men have to keep law and order in a region counting a population of over seventy thousand people! Now something is definitely wrong here but I am not here to blame anyone. Once again, I won't get into the policies of my predecessor but you should know that now when I am in charge of this place, we will be doing things differently in the future. Our goal is nothing less than the full restoration of this place. And I expect everyone to do their part." As I finish the speech, I make sure to catch a glimpse of every face in the room.

 

[Quilboarian]

As you go about looking around the room, you see various nods of approval from your audience, accompanied by some light applause. A few people seem to be lost in thought as they regard this information. Will you be taking questions, or is there anything else to add?

 

[Tkalec]

"I am sure you are all dying to get back to work. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to visit my office. I'm sure that we can work it out. That would be all." I say dismissing everyone. Before leaving the podium, I try to spot the Major in the crowd. There is something that I need of him as quickly as possible.

 

[Quilboarian]

The various people at the table begin to get up and push their chairs in, slowly departing through the door. In the back, you see Major Kirley stand up from his seat and begin to make his way over to the exit, probably heading to meet with his escorts outside the room. You should be able to get his attention before he leaves with the others, though.

 

[Tkalec]

I quickly step down and proceed to catch up with the Major trying to pass through the small crowd that filled the room slowing me down. Luckly, I manage to catch up with him just before he reaches the exit. "Major!" I say invitingly as if I knew the man. "Would you care to join me in my office?"

 

[Quilboarian]

The major blinks, before giving you a nod. "Oh- Well, of course," he says. He waits for the others to pass by, before stepping out of the conference room and speaking to the two guardsmen standing outside for a moment, before looking back over at you. "Just lead the way," he says.

 

[Tkalec]

I lead us through the complex network of hallways with a slight insecurity, but I didn't let it show. Even though I had been here for only a few days, the task of finding my office didn't get any easier. Luckly, I start recognizing familiar turns and my confidence grows as a result. "I found it best that we should get properly acquainted, if we are going to be working together in the future." I say as we take another turn.

 

[Quilboarian]

The Major nods, before replying, "That seems appropriate. I apologize if it seemed as if I was in any kind of rush to get out of here." You both head down one last corridor before the two of you are outside your office. Indeed, the words "DAVID MARSHALL, SUPERINTENDENT" inscribed above the door confirm that you have went the right way.

 

[Tkalec]

"I take it that you are a busy man. There is no need to apologize for your duties." I say to the officer before opening the door. Once inside, I instruct Linda to return my calls and stress out that I do not wish to be disturbed. After that, I finally lead the Major into my office, closing the door behind us. "Would you prefer a drink?" I ask casually.

 

[Quilboarian]

The Major pulls out a chair and takes a seat near your desk. He looks over his shoulder at you and nods to your offer, shrugging. "Erm. Some ice water, I suppose, please," he says. He crosses one leg over the other as he now gazes around the room, examining its details.

 

[Tkalec]

I start regarding the Major with an increasing interest. I could not help to wonder whether he would be a problem in the future. Maybe he would reveal to be a troublesome character. Hopefully, it would not come to that, I think to myself as I apprach the cabinet where I store my liquor. "Sadly, I must inform you that I do not keep water in my office. I hold that only the finest whiskey can clench my thirst." I say with a dose of irony. "However, I can get Linda to fetch you some."

 

[Quilboarian]

The Major purses his lips as you say this, turning his head back to you. He rubs his chin and tilts his head to the side, presumably trying to crack his neck, but nothing comes of it. He replies, "Well, I wouldn't mind a glass of something you've got here, then," he says with a small chuckle. "Since that seems to be more convenient."