Timeline

Overheard in a London Pub

Overheard in a London Pub

by Celia Runham, Staff Reporter

Where lie the hearts of the common men of London, and why do they turn so readily to crime and to violence?  To those privileged to serve Her Majesty, or of sufficient means to elevate their homes and families into the untainted upper sky, that question seems impenetrable.

This reporter took a trek to the Fog-drenched pubs of the working class, seeking answers - for when the wine flows and a man is among friends, his heart opens and the truth issues forth.

Here now is an excerpt overheard at the Swine and Barrow, London.  One man who was suffering from a hacking cough, undoubtedly a slowly-expiring victim of the Fog, accepted this advice from a friend, with whom he was tentatively attempting to have a friendly drink.

"Ain't no way to live, is it?" said the friend.  "There ain't a hospital this side of the ocean'll see you.  But you know, mate, I've a sure way of getting you away from this miserable ----.  Take my advice and you'll be breathing clean air in a pinch."

The ill man nodded.  His coughing kept him from enjoying his lager easily, but he bravely soldiered on, taking little sips.

"Here's what you do, mate, here's what you do. 

You got to find yourself a shop - the kind fulla diamonds and pocket ro-bots and fancy hats.  Coppers standing on the street.  You go in there, and you find somethin' nice - you find the fanciest bloody hat in the whole shop.

"You put your filthy little hands on that hat, and you run.  Out the door, into the street, right past the copper.  Not too fast, mind you, but give 'em a bit of a chase - if you can with your black lungs and your skinny legs.

"Now the copper's gonna beat ya, but just keep a stiff upper lip.  In fact, maybe give him a couplea whacks for his trouble.  Sure as death you'll be stuffed in a cool, airtight cell with a bag over yer head and a dozen doors between you and the Fog.  If you're lucky they'll ship you off to Australia, free of charge.  You can bake to death in the desert or you can rot to death while rats eat your eyes."

The well man took a big, dramatic breath, which caused him to share a little in the ill man's coughing fit.  But nothing was going to stop this fellow from his great, dramatic finish.

"But imagine the air, mate, that sweet, clean air!"

This was received with laughter all around, and the men toasted to innovative thinking.

 

 

A Notice to Division M (London Branch) - Concerning the Curfew

Industrialists Mobilise To Save The Country

 
 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Firstly let me take the opportunity on behalf of myself and RM to thank all of you thus far your steadfastness, your creativity and your tenacity. You are all truly inspiring.

Following the Government’s radical reaction to the nationwide rioting we have come to the decision to shuffle the Division’s objectives accordingly:

As Mr Stevenson’s representation in town, RM and EM are to receive Curfew Waivers. Henceforth RM and EM shall endeavour to remain as mobile as possible throughout the inner boroughs. They shall act as courier, envoy and scout post sunset.

Do not see this as an opportunity to take liberties or you may find yourself stripped of your commission.

You have been warned.

Clock-assigned Mayhems are to refocus their energies on the application of air filtration and/or conversion at both domestic and industrial levels. As ever, any patents filed must be under the CBS umbrella.

Fog development continues as a priority. KM (Whitechapel) and EM to act as sole points of contact Those involved in revenue generation are to continue as appropriate and explore alternative streams of income.

N-recruitment and maintenance to move into Phase 2. Proxies to proceed with caution.

There will be a general briefing in HQ tomorrow morning 9am. If it pleases you, consider today a holiday.

Keep your heads down, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Èisd ri gaoth nam beann gus an traogh na h-uisgeachan.

EM

 

Govt Scientists To Meet Industrialists To Solve Air Pollution

Scientists and Industrialists In Talks To Clear The Air

 
 

Government Scientists have held a series of emergency meetings with British Industrialists, in a bid to solve the current pollution problem.

It is hoped that a solution will be found to help 'clear the air' of the yellow fog that has now spread across the whole country. Industrialists have pledged to use the special dispensation granted to travel during the curfew to test alternative fuels and find ways of cutting pollution levels. 

A spokesman for the Department for the Advancement of Sciences claimed that a consortium made up of the best minds in the field were working on a device to tackle the problem, but when asked how close they were to finding a solution, he admitted that they were still "far off" from conducting any tests.

The news comes a day after the government imposed a dusk till dawn curfew, to stem the outbreak of lawlessness across the country.

Latest reports claim that one hundred and fifty people were arrested last night for breaking the curfew, with thousands more cautioned.

The police now claim that there are certain parts of  London's East End now deemed to be 'No-Go' areas in the control of criminal gangs, and they haven't got the resources to tackle the problem.

Don't forget the curfew runs from 6pm - 8am.

 

Country Under Night Curfew

Govt Imposes Night Curfew

 
 

The government has announced a nationwide curfew starting tonight from 6pm to 8am. The news comes after the police lost authority and control of almost every city, with the latest outbreak of mayhem extending to attacks on docked airships around the country. 

In north, south, east and west, thousands of police officers dedicated to regaining control of the streets struggled to do so and faced attacks from the public. 

Her Majesty's government has rushed through parliament new legislation allowing the police to arrest anyone caught flouting the new order.

Members of the public are advised to stay at home, and not to answer the door to anyone during the curfew.

There are bound to be critics of this announcement, esecially as special dispensation is being extended to cover industrialists, as well as the emergency services that assist the police.

With the fog now turning Britain into a 'No-Go' zone, many wonder how long till the whole country finally grinds to a halt. It is also unclear if there are enough officers to mount a visible presence on every street, which calls into question the effectiveness of this new development.

The government is to hold a crisis meeting tomorrow to discuss how to rid the nation of the fog, which seems to be the main catalyst for the current lawlessness.

How will the curfew affect you?  

 

A Word of Caution to the Peoples of London

A Word of Caution to the Peoples of London

 
 

To the Citizenry of London,

        Laborers, industrialists, aesthetics, royalists, theologists; you need not look far to see that the struggle between these differing worldviews has disturbed many lives. Indeed, the distrust between us still simmers, even as a demon-fog threatens to choke us all to death. Therefore, my friends, I ask you: would it not be perfection if, in our hour of struggle, we cast aside all of this inane debate? Wouldn't everyone prosper if one faction took the helm and pushed our society forward?  Would you not weep tears of joy if one man unified the nation and led us out of our endless winter? I argue, in all honesty, that you shouldn't.

         In truth, my friends, ideological battle is what sustains and safeguards England. Our different classes, different ideals, different theories, and different worlds ensure that nothing can destroy us! Do you remember the potato famine of Ireland?

If a Kingdom relies entirely upon a single crop, a blight that infests that crop will force the Kingdom to its knees. It is no different with people. Whenever the diseased thoughts of a madman infect a class of people who hold absolute power over an empire, that empire suffers and eventually collapses. Such was the case with Rome, such will be the case with England. That is, unless we stop it now.

          Fellows, listen closely: power-hungry men from each group will come to you. They will tell you that their enemies are keeping England engulfed in fog. They will demand you help free England from its current, tragic imprisonment by stabbing your brother in the back. Should you listen, should you give in, you are tying the noose by which our Queen and country will hang.

God Save the Queen,

Charles Vendelli