Stroph1 said:
So czar1111, for helping to start a fire that has swept through AARland, you are awarded the WRITER OF THE WEEK! Now you and your cast get up on stage and give a speech!
Writer of the Week!
Wow! I go away for 5 minutes and what happens?
Thanks! What do I get? Ohhh (Looks at HoI2 Forums – NEW SCREENIES!)
Anyway I should say a few words of thank you to all involved…(sorry they are slightly late) and how better to do that than this?
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
A hush descended across the crowd in the Romanian Opera Theatre as the stage lights dimmed and the spotlights shone on the lone figure behind the podium in centre stage…
Stroph 1 looked nervous. He gave a small cough which was amplified 100 times through the microphone before him.
“And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, the moment you have all been waiting for…” his voice quivered slightly “Writer of the Week!” (From several weeks ago)
A Stage Hand held up a sign to the audience – APPLAUSE. They did.
Stroph 1 tore open the envelope and read the name inside – he felt ill. He looked to stage left – the two Romanian Secret Policemen waited in the wings. One was holding a sign of his own – CZAR1111, the second was sitting on an old prop (a headstone) and underlined the name with the object he held in his hand (a revolver).
Stroph 1 quietly slid the envelope into his pocket and replaced it with the one they had so kindly provided…
“And the winner is…”
There was a drum roll…Stroph gulped.
“CZAR1111!”
A stage hand held up a sign to the audience – APPLAUSE. They did. The Secret Policemen relaxed and put his revolver away.
Czar started to rise from his seat… and as he did so and number of other people from the crowd also started to rise…
Czar walked briskly up the stairs to the podium to be sure to beat the others… he made his way directly to Stroph and snatched the Writer Of the Week Cup.
I shall have it melted down to make a medal he thought to himself... He shook Stroph’s hand and then promptly shoved him out of the way to get at the podium – then realized that he could only just see over it. He glared at Stroph, who went pale white and then looked like he was about to pass out, the Secret Policeman drew his revolver again.
As the applause started to die away Czar looked at the Stage Hands – their eyes got wide and they hurriedly produced another sign – MORE APPLAUSE!
The audience gave a half hearted reply… so a soldier appeared with a second sign – NOW! A second soldier appeared and un-slung his rifle. The audience applauded with gusto.
When at last the applause died away Czar stood behind the podium and a moderate sized group stood immediately behind him. Czar ground his teeth – didn’t they have work to do? Hadn’t he arranged to keep them all busy? Damn. Well, that’s what the backup plan was for…
“Thank you all for this great honor.” began Czar1111.
“I would like to say that the credit for this should not be given to me alone… many people have worked very hard for this and I would like to accept it on behalf of them all!”
There was a brief applause – unprompted.
“There are many people I should mention – in no particular order”
“I would like to mention my good friend
Henry v. Keiper. Please step forward Henry you deserve a pat on the back…”
Henry stepped forward and Czar did indeed pat him on the back – perhaps a little too hard as Henry toppled forward into the Orchestra Pit. The crowd gasped.
Czar tried to cover “He, he. Just relax folks. Just a little gag… all pre-arranged I assure you!”
The audience gave a muted laugh as a woman’s screams were clearly audible from the pit “My god… someone get a stretcher!”
Czar turned slightly to look at the two gentlemen standing beside one another on top of the stage mark…
“And of course those two gentlemen of comedy and character
Cdat and
Lt.Col.Kilgore! TAKE A BOW, gentlemen!” And with the pre arranged phrase spoken the Stage Hand opened the Trap Door and they disappeared from sight with a surprised expression on their faces.
“And how can anyone forget the esteemed gentlemen of my Ministries? Please give a very warm hand to
Elbasto, and
Lazlo Bareskeen!” He said pointing at them as if to single them out.
As the audience gave a brief applause Elbasto noticed a glint or reflection off something in an oddly dark opera box at the back of the hall. What was that he wondered? It looked like a reflection off a monocle or maybe an eyeglass of some sort?
“Then there are the men of the Armed Forces – Yes, you know who they are…”
Captain Panda and
Reichswehr stood holding a portrait of
Matiandos [FIN]
while
Goodtogo21 held a small ID card displaying a photo of
The Gonzo.
“Then there are those that have added their unique flavor to this whole experience…”
Czar looked behind him to see
Andytimtim2004 holding an obituary for a reporter with the Sophia Echo,
Janos. From behind these men some women emerged wearing the uniforms of the Romanian Womens’ Hockey Team to stand beside those named so far.
“…and those who have responded to the call of our great nation when it was required.”
Zuckergußgebäck started to give a small wave and then thought better of it least he identify himself to whomever Czar seemed to be signaling to.
“I am sure there will be many others who will contribute in some way over time, not least of which are those from other, similar, projects who are working very hard on this idea.
I look forward to sharing this award with you all…”
As he said this the group behind Czar started to step forward…
Later members of the audience would tell reporters that they saw Czar look up to the eves as his free hand appeared to reach under the podium. His other hand firmly grasped the Cup which he held aloft. The podium was obscured by a puff of smoke and something dropped from above the stage…
There was an explosion several loud ‘bangs’ and then the lights went out.
There was screaming and shouting and the sound of a scuffle – and a laughing maniacal voice yelling “Mine – all mine! MY CUP! Ah HA Ha Ha ha ha ha.”
Thanks to all involved
