11-07-2019, 01:48 PM
Liberty and Democracy Party
Public Plaza
Fontainebleau, Napoleon
Public Plaza
Fontainebleau, Napoleon
Spotlights center in the dark on a videowall in a prominent part of the public plaza, where the image of the Aldurian flag fluttering quietly in the dark is shown, amidst the murmurings of a restive crowd and the erratic lights of smartphones and camera flashes.
After a while, the spotlights fade and the solid blue-gold-red colors of the fluttering Aldurian flag, which then fade to black, and focus turns on a cauldron that is suddenly lit in the center of the public plaza - which not many realize was there all along.
After a while, the spotlights fade and the solid blue-gold-red colors of the fluttering Aldurian flag, which then fade to black, and focus turns on a cauldron that is suddenly lit in the center of the public plaza - which not many realize was there all along.
![[Image: 170794b7-f084-4fde-957e-b45305364087.jpg...ormat&q=70]](https://imgix.bustle.com/rehost/2016/9/13/170794b7-f084-4fde-957e-b45305364087.jpg?w=970&h=546&fit=crop&crop=faces&auto=format&q=70)
As the flame dances around the cauldron - with the flame and cauldron evident on the videowall, a female voice is heard in the background.
In the beginning was darkness.
The flame disappears from the cauldron, and the plaza, save for smartphone lights and camera flashes, is bathed in black.
In the darkness, many cowered in fear, afraid of what was, is, and was yet to come.
In the darkness, many felt hopelessness, cursing their fate, wringing their hands in dismay.
In the darkness, many felt that there was no other way.
A small flaming torch appears at the side, and the hushed audience watches in rapt attention as the small flame slowly edges its way, in the darkness, the crowd murmuring and parting as the flaming torch edges its way closer. As this happens, the murmuring increases in volume and excitement, as lit candles begin to radiate outward from where the flaming torch is, slowly moving towards the raised black cauldron, the public plaza looking very much like the night sky full of candle-lit stars.
The female voice continues.
What is to be done?
What if, in the midst of the darkness, we choose to see the light?
What if, in the midst of the darkness, we choose to bring the light?
What if, in the midst of the darkness, we choose to be the light?
The flaming torch touches the cauldron, and the cauldron ignites, yellow flames snaking its way towards the sky. After a mere few seconds, floodlights center on the cauldron, driving away the darkness, the illumination focused on the sole individual holding the torch aloft with his left hand, beside the cauldron.
The crowd goes insane as it recognizes who is holding the torch - the former Secretary of the Interior, Gerhardt Eugen Seydlitz.
A different voice is heard.
My fellow Aldurians, please rise to give honor to the Aldurian National Anthem.
New spotlights focus on the Aldurian flag flying from the flagpole of the plaza, and the videowalls play cameo shots of Aldurians, Aldurian geography, the Aldurian flag, alongside the words of the national anthem:
In the beginning was darkness.
The flame disappears from the cauldron, and the plaza, save for smartphone lights and camera flashes, is bathed in black.
In the darkness, many cowered in fear, afraid of what was, is, and was yet to come.
In the darkness, many felt hopelessness, cursing their fate, wringing their hands in dismay.
In the darkness, many felt that there was no other way.
A small flaming torch appears at the side, and the hushed audience watches in rapt attention as the small flame slowly edges its way, in the darkness, the crowd murmuring and parting as the flaming torch edges its way closer. As this happens, the murmuring increases in volume and excitement, as lit candles begin to radiate outward from where the flaming torch is, slowly moving towards the raised black cauldron, the public plaza looking very much like the night sky full of candle-lit stars.
The female voice continues.
What is to be done?
What if, in the midst of the darkness, we choose to see the light?
What if, in the midst of the darkness, we choose to bring the light?
What if, in the midst of the darkness, we choose to be the light?
The flaming torch touches the cauldron, and the cauldron ignites, yellow flames snaking its way towards the sky. After a mere few seconds, floodlights center on the cauldron, driving away the darkness, the illumination focused on the sole individual holding the torch aloft with his left hand, beside the cauldron.
The crowd goes insane as it recognizes who is holding the torch - the former Secretary of the Interior, Gerhardt Eugen Seydlitz.
A different voice is heard.
My fellow Aldurians, please rise to give honor to the Aldurian National Anthem.
New spotlights focus on the Aldurian flag flying from the flagpole of the plaza, and the videowalls play cameo shots of Aldurians, Aldurian geography, the Aldurian flag, alongside the words of the national anthem:
As the anthem ends, applause is heard, followed by heavily upbeat music.
The spotlight follows Seydlitz, still clutching the torch, from the cauldron, through the crowds at the center aisle, and onto the stage. He places the torch on a special holder beside the podium, and waves as the applause continues.