His Honor, Or Ours? - 2012

Chicago, 2012 - After the NATO incident, I think one of my distinguished colleagues put it best - no one managed to blow themselves up this time.  Whether that individual knew how deep that resonated with me is a matter for consideration at a different time.  What is more important to discuss at this time is the essential question we are now faced with as a city.  Racist or Criminal?

Shockingly, these nomenclatures did not go well with the masses.  "Mr. Richmond is not a racist," they would tell me, "and Mr. Skinner is not a Criminal."  They say these things as if I, and others, are not acutely aware that colloquial name calling is not fit for "our kind."

But let us examine the two individuals for their merits as holders of Praxis.  Mr. Richmond is the clear favorite - he has the backing of the Prisci Council (who has just recently decided that they are now relevant) and most of the Covenants.  Mr. Skinner, however, has tradition on his side - stepping in to fill the shoes of his own Covenant mate seems natural.  His demeanor and attitude are also akin to someone who is comfortable managing a large group.

But both of them are willing to hand things out like candy in order to get their way, and that is something that just doesn't sit right with this Chicago native.

Bribery is a time honored tradition, but the moment you talk about it, it's no longer bribery.  You don't hand someone an envelope, you bake them a pie.  "My wife made this delicious pie for you and your family, I hope you enjoy it.  Give me a call when you make a decision on those contracts."  No mention of the envelope.  At worst there might be a statement of "She made it with extra filling, just like you like it."

So it seems we are in a bit of bind, and we are left with the headlining question.  Will this change be to our benefit, or to one of theirs.  Is this for his honor, or for ours?

Sincerely,

J. C.

Danger - 2001

Chicago, September 11, 2001 - The daytime is dangerous, not just for us, but for all.  Even when we who can stay awake all day and watch horrified as the humans fire their creations at each other, endangering the great structures we helped them build, we are crippled with ineptitude.

The calls came in quickly from many sources.  The Sears Tower was being evacuated because it was a potential target.  All that we have worked for might be destroyed while we sit and watch.  Our retainers are helpless.  Enemies across the sea have declared war...a war that has nothing to do with us, yet one errant plane and one of us might be destroyed.  The chatter is that it is religious in nature.  A jihad.  Are we really any better than those who would sacrifice themselves simply to make a point?

It is behavior that cannot be reasoned with, and because of that, I fear that our friends in the Circle and the Lance might get ideas to get out of balance.

I do not weep for those who are lost, but I am sad I cannot stand there and hear their stories for myself.  This curse must be lifted.

Yours,

J.C.

The Lights - 1992

Chicago, 1992 - Surely I can't be the only one who saw it?  In the space of one second the sequence was clear: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8.  Luca said he saw it, but I don't think his eyes are fast enough to catch the actual flux.  Although the power surge caused by the high frequency radio waves seems to have been the cause, I have yet to discover why anyone would be using decameter band to communicate.

I don't trust what the engineers told me, that it was to test the capabilities of their newest radio tower.  Why use that particular sequence of pulses when it would have been easier to simply broadcast a static wave and slowly increase the power.  This begs for further review.

Legacy - 1929

Chicago, 1929 - Something about the way that the city stood there as the news was announced inspired me to take a closer look at the recorded history.  Ever since I joined society, I knew the name had sounded familiar.  John Stone.  It took a little digging, but in the end it wasn't that hard, after all, when you're the city's first recorded execution, it's bound to make a few history books, even if it's just local history.

There he was.  John Stone, executed by hanging for the rape and murder of Lucretia Thompson, 1840.  It was before my time, but having spent my fair share of time crawling through the archives at the Tribune, I'd be surprised if people didn't already know.  This wasn't the scoop I was looking for.  More important to me was always the why, instead of the who.  So what if Prince Stone had been a murderous rapist in his mortal life, weren't we all something different now?

They said the Crow took him.  Maybe they reclaimed him.  Wasn't he supposed to be some sort of childe of a childe of the founder of that barbaric covenant?  Maybe they don't like it when their grand-childer run away and start a city that values peace and prosperity over murder and mayhem.  Or maybe it wasn't them at all.  Maybe it was something simpler, like they said.  A stray bullet at the wrong time and I guess we're all ash.

I should look into that.

Yours, ever faithfully;

J.C.