The Sleen; The Play; The Election

originally posted March 24, 2007

It will be a busy day today.

It is first light. I am on Aulus Street, at Samsara. The monster, Tasta, is with me. The last time she was here, she rooted around and sniffed at any room that was not locked. It is amusing, I admit, to see her wander in quite confident of herself, having discerned that she knows this place. It is easy to anthropomorphize such beasts, what with their expressions and attitudes, but it is hard to believe that there is any less intelligence behind that animal's golden eyes simply because she lacks the ability of speech. She's certainly vocal enough. I think even, at this moment, as I write about her, she is aware that I am doing so. Rather attentive, with her chin laid on her forepaws and her head cocked slightly to the left. Her ears, too, are perked. She is not to worry, however. I am not slandering her good name or even penning the slightest falsehood about her. Later this evening, I will send her after two of the girls; Elise and Cup. A simple, "Fetch Elise. Fetch Jenny" will do. From this domicile, she will move suddenly and swiftly to the other and compel both girls to return with her. The others will simply end their work days near Aulus Street and proceed directly to Samsara on their own. I have business in this district tonight.

I have yet to settle on a name or, indeed, to write the last few scenes, but I have put the notices up. Auditions for the next play begin this evening. There are two principle roles available and a few other minor, but important parts. It takes place in the Insula of Achiates. With the Waiting Hand just past and the festivities of the first hand of En'Kara still occuring, I have not had time to dress the set. Like the set of Agamedes, however, it will be spartan. It takes place entirely in one room of that cramped Insula. I generally start out with ideas for grand, sweeping epics, complete with elaborate set pieces and a cast of a hundred actors, the Priest-Kings know the stage has the capacity to withstand it, but in the end it comes down to the dialogue.

In addition to the business of the play, people will cast their votes on the Magistracy for which I have been nominated. It is still difficult to imagine that I would engage in politics at all, but I do have a belief that those of the lower castes deserve a voice that is their own. Their advocate should not be a disinterested party, chosen simply for the height of his caste. Their advocate should be one of their own.

It is time to start this busy day.