Town Meeting

[john-adams-1776.livejournal.com]

John awoke at his usual early hour on the morning of the town meeting. He dressed with slightly more than usual care in his suit of clothes from home, broke his fast with a light meal, and headed to the Golden Horseshoe to ensure that things were the way he wanted.

The chairs and small tables were already perfectly arranged, but John dragged a podium he found backstage out to the front of the curtain. Then he bustled about in the kitchen area setting out drinks and whatever small snacks he could find back there.

Before long, interested citizens began filing in and he went up to the podium. There was no microphone because he'd never heard of such a thing, but John Adams never had difficulty making himself heard.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome. If you would please pick up any refreshments you'd care for and take your seats, we'll begin in just a few minutes."

Comments

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

"Go check and see," Rukia urged her, laughing at the little hop.

She looked slightly more serious at the question, though. "Not that I know of," the shinigami replied. "I think this is the first time we've had anything like this."

[no1likeher.livejournal.com]

Pippi snagged a brownie from the snacks brought by Sunshine and a lemonade from the drink fountain.

"Oooh, so this is the sort of gathering that people paint pictures of years later making everybody look taller and more distinguished!"

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

Rukia smiled bemusedly at that, not quite sure what was meant by that, not having seen one of those painting herself. Sounded right, though. "I... I think so," she told Pippi.

[no1likeher.livejournal.com]

"So what do you think about police Rukia?"

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

"I don't want to influence your opinion," said Rukia, with a frown. But Pippi seemed to know her own mind, so she went on: "I can see why some people might think they're a good idea, but personally, I don't think they have a place here. It seems like giving a few people so much power could easily go wrong, and we were fine without them for a long time."

[no1likeher.livejournal.com]

"So why did they want to start it in the first place do you know?"

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

"Probably more than one reason," Rukia said, not sure how much editorializing it was okay to do when the person you were having this discussion with was only nine. "They probably think it's easier to enforce laws if there's an organized brigade, they probably want to intimidate people who want to hurt other people..." She paused, before going on: "And on some level, they're probably also doing it to make themselves feel important. Anyway, I'm sure they'll tell us all why themselves when they get up to speak. And you'll have an opportunity to ask questions of them, then, too."

[no1likeher.livejournal.com]

"I was just thinking maybe they were bored." Pippi said through a mouthful of brownie.

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

That made Rukia laugh. "That could be a reason," she said.

[no1likeher.livejournal.com]

"So if we decide to not let them be police... Then what are we gonna tell 'em to do?"

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

"Good question. I'm sure there are a lot of things they could find to do," said Rukia, giving the matter some serious thought. "Someone runs a newspaper. Maybe they could do something like that..."

[no1likeher.livejournal.com]

"Huh... That's kinda not fair."

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

"No, I suppose not. But, well, I think that the problem -- from my point of view, anyway -- is that being a policeman interferes with other people's abilities to live their lives. It's all well and good to find ways to occupy yourself, but the problem is that it's not fair to occupy yourself in a way that makes it hard for other people to live their lives the way they want to." Rukia looked thoughtful. "That's the way I see it, at least, although you're free to feel differently."

[no1likeher.livejournal.com]

"Hmm, no, that makes sense. I mean... Miss Priss-silly-us was always trying to make me go to the Children's Home 'for my own good'... And she was quite bothersome at times, though she meant well... Mostly I just ignored her though."

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

Rukia laughed at that. "Oh, was she?" she said. "That sounds... interesting. You know, Pippi, you're a very bright girl.'

[no1likeher.livejournal.com]

"Thanks! I'm quite warm as well." Pippi said placing her hand on Rukia's arm to show that, yes, she was rather warm.