Record:Election Dealings
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Franco Morelio di Lorma: It's all out in the open now, not much we can do about it anymore. Even involving the Deysachnis might bite us in the back. I do not look forward to the downward spiral for which we are headed. Prepare for the worst, it is all I have to say to you.
Dux Vincenzo Barozzo di Tolia: What a nasty thing rumors are. True or not, you cannot expect a man to run a government with half the nation breathing down his neck! You know, Franco, I'd have them all arrested if I could, but if another revolution results from it, it will be even more stupid than the last one.
Franco Morelio: And that we wish to avoid. (Morelio takes out his pipe, now empty, and fiddles with it in his hands.) You understand that half of Mare is considering replacing you now?
Dux Barozzo: As we did with you, the selfish bastards that we are. I'm not going to allow that to happen to myself. Besides, how's your own replacement doing for you?
Franco Morelio: Marone's difficult at times. Last I've heard of him, he's considering leaving the party. But I prefer him far more than any of those isolationists.
Dux Barozzo: Anyone outside our Families is bound to be as such. Everyone is such an ideologue these days, so readily dying for their vapid ideas and empty morals. Where would we have ever ended up if that's how we operated?
Franco Morelio: Nowhere, Vincenzo, but our hands are becoming increasingly tied. You've seen the polls, our last names are a death sentence for any candidate heading into the election. Let us cut our losses and-
(Rhytmic knocking on the door is heard.)
Franco Morelio: It must be him. (He faces a servant.) Let the guest in.
Dux Barozzo: Now, who did you bring here anyways? I don't think it is a coincidence you are talking about replacing me, I should at least know my contender.
Franco Morelio: You will find out soon enough.
(The door opens. Into the room enters an orderly, middle-aged man in a white suit. Handing his coat to the servant who welcomed him in, he adjusts the glasses on his face, and sits down opposite of the pair.)
Giulio Moretti: Fine morning to you. I hope I remain welcome.
Dux Barozzo: Greetings to you I will give, welcomes I will not. (Turns to Morelio.) And where are you going?
(Morelio exits the room without a word, bar a brief sigh.)
Giulio Moretti: Were I not compeled to stay here, I would certainly leave. But the internationalist project has become something greater than you or I, and something neither of us can afford to lose.
Dux Barozzo: Oh, you sly wolf. It's hasn't even been two octades. Old Leo dragged you Denunzians kicking and screaming into the archipelago, and you all haven't stopped blabbering about it since.
Giulio Moretti: Do not mistake me as one of the Isolans. I have no ideological qualms with interisolary trade. No one did, until Morobaldi began to show up to animate his local crowd. Since then, it has spread like wildfire, and it doesn't seem to me you've been able to silence it.
Dux Barozzo: Well, neither did you. You had your five minutes of fame as Dux, what have you accomplished? I didn't see you opening our ports, and you sure weren't able to stop the internationalists from taking the reins.
Giulio Moretti: I was handed a deep political and economic crisis that had been building itself up for over three decades, and was given but a few years to resolve it. Judging by the success of your predecessor, the situation had stabilized enough for him not to suffer the consequences. For goodness' sake, your own administration continues to model its policy after my economic writings. I have certainly achieved more than someone whose name has become synonymous with underhanded corruption.
Dux Barozzo: Back for more then? Another thankless round of steering this sinking ship back to shore? How selfless of you, I applaud you. And how do you plan on doing this?
Giulio Moretti: By committing to something your administration hasn't so far been willing to. I plan on placating the worries, yet keep our trade going. The House of Light is becoming more and more resented by the day, and not least because of how often you plastered your own face next to it. We shouldn't withdraw from the alliance, but we have to ensure that such proposals aren't even on the table. That means, to an extent, spreading the wealth, while keeping the markets running. You've seen those people, they are out for blood, do you think you can feed them with economic charts alone? While you sit here, gobbling up a piece of slightest national deal and transaction?
Dux Barozzo: Oh, yes, how brilliant! A private banker, looking out for the interests of the working class, how heroic! Do you for a moment believe you are in any way different from the rest of us? That just because you're not walking around with the last name of Miglio or Buonestrotti, that you will be heralded as some sort of savior to these people? At least afford me the decency to face them myself, if defeat is so certain in your eyes.
Giulio Moretti: I don't care in the slightest how much you sincerely care for the plight of those who walk on the streets beneath you. What I am here to tell you is that you risk handing the discussion and the levers of power over to Isola, and for all your faults, you do not match the insanity of their proposals.
(The Dux sits in silence for a few moments, when he suddenly jolts and stands up from his chair, wildly flailing his arms around.)
Dux Barozzo: Out. Out! Get out, and let me never see you again! How dare you come to me willing to so openly depose me! Get out of here or I'll have you shot for high treason!
Giulio Moretti: It is nigh too late to consider playing dictator. Take your chance while you still can.
Dux Barozzo: Out!