| This forum is used with the NationStates web-game designed and run by Max Barry. While not officially affiliated, this serves as the regional forum for the regions: Middle East, African Continent, American Continent, Asian Continent, and European Continent. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and can "read only". In order to get the most out of these forums, please become a member and read this guide - http://z3.invisionfree.com/nationstates/index.php?showtopic=3060 If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| The South Comes a Call'n; Will the Amish answer? | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: Aug 11 2008, 02:11 PM (159 Views) | |
| NRE | Aug 11 2008, 02:11 PM Post #1 |
Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman
|
Somewhere in the Northern reaches of the Amish country... It had taken sometime for the small cruiser to reach the North Sea, it would take even longer for Sam Hardison to reach the Amish by Helicopter. With no port of their own and no runway to speak of a flight by regular air travel was impossible. He even questioned if all the trouble his government was going through to reach the Amish was even worth it. Still, whatever the Confederacy wanted, he would accomplish. It was his diplomatic duty after all, as an ambassador. The helicopter flew over Belgium, speaking with authorities to ensure that they had clearance to enter their airspace. After being instructed on which heading they were cleared to maneuver through, the small commercial chopper flew over Belgium. Within hours they crossed the border and were soon over the beautiful, untouched land of the Amish. As a directive of the South, he was the have the chopper land in an unpopulated area. He would go on foot to the nearest village. The South respected the Amish for their strict adherence to their cultural and spiritual ways. They would not disrupt their lives by landing a helicopter in their city square. Sam grabbed his briefcase, and hoped out of the chopper only to see it rise and begin to disappear over the horizon for where he came. Dusting himself off he began to trek through the woods from where they landed and soon came across a dusty old road. It reminded him of the road which lead to his grandparents farm back home in Louisiana. Taking a swig of water from the bottle he kept in his briefcase he began his journey down the road, in a Southern direction hoping to come across a village soon. To his relief he had barely walked 5 miles before a village began to rise over the horizon. He had kept walked all the way there but was met up along the way by an Amish man in his carriage. With his cloths so different from his own, the man knew he was foreign. Sam waved at the man as he drew closer, asking him "Would you care to give me a lift?" |
 |
 
|
| New Harumf | Aug 11 2008, 02:38 PM Post #2 |
Bloodthirsty Unicorn
|
The Amish man was Ishmael Tookboom, a local farmer on his way to town to get some supplies. He motioned for the stranger to climb aboard the buggy, then gently urged the horse forward. They rode in complete silence for some time, Sam really not knowing what to say, listening to the clip-clop, clip-clop of the horses hooves on the packed dirt road. After what seemed an eternity to to Sam, he asked, "So, Sir, where are you bound?" Ishmael never looked up from the road, but said, "Down this road. I thought that was obvious." "I mean," said Sam, slightly taken aback by the curtness of the reply, "what town lies ahead?" Ishmael spit to the side, then said, "A town without a landing place for a whirly bird, but then you guessed that already, didn't you?" Sam actually turned red. Obviously this farmer saw the 'copter land and figured he had to come out of it. "Yes," said Sam, "I figured it would be best to walk. I would spread my wings and fly if I could, but I'm no angel." Ishmael looked at Sam finally, then, "Ha. Ha ha ha ha ha!" he then laughed even louder. "I suppose you aren't. If you are looking for Elders to conduct your business, there will be a council in the town ahead. The town is called Altgeld and it is the local market and center of these parts. Twenty miles down the road is Dusseldorf, our Council's main metting place, but I'm only going to Altgeld. You'll probably be able to hitch a ride in Altgeld to get you all the way to the capital. Likely with some youngin is a souped up buggy. If you ask me, all those fancy extras the kids put on their buggies are about as useful as teats on a bull, but they're young, they'll learn." |
|
|
|
| NRE | Aug 12 2008, 02:10 PM Post #3 |
|
Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman
|
When the pair reached Altgeld Sam jumped from the buggy and thanked Ishmael for his hospitality. He had said that if Ishmael were ever in his neck of the woods he'd return the favor in kind but that likelihood of such a scenario was slim to none. Before parting ways entirely Sam asked him where abouts the Council meet. Ishmael pointed him down the street to a modest looking building near the center of town. "Of course" said Sam "if it were a snake it would have bitten me" Ishmael just laughed at he tired his horse and buggy to the hitching post and wandered into the supply store. Sam then proceeded down the road to the Council building. He knocked twice and waited until a man came and answered the door. "I have traveled a great distance to see if I may have an audience with the Amish elders" Sam said. The man allowed him in and proceeded to explain that the council which met here only had authority over the town and surrounding area. Dusseldorf was where he need to go. "Well I don't suppose it's within walking distances" said Sam for which the Amish man replied that it would be best to find transport where possible. Thanking the man for his generous time Sam bid him a good day and proceeded down the town road in the direction of the Amish capital. Though he wasn't quiet sure if he would work, he did the only thing he knew to do and stuck out his thumb in hopes that a passer-by on the same route would recognize the international sign and be as generous as Ishmael. |
|
|
|
| New Harumf | Sep 12 2008, 11:35 AM Post #4 |
|
Bloodthirsty Unicorn
|
Donald Dangle was sixteen years old, and, as is expected, he was a typical teenage rebel. The tradition in the land of the Amish Children was for teens to blow off their youthful steam in many of the same ways as teens around the world, so that when they became adults it would be out of their system and they could become responsible family members and citizens of the community. This particular phenomenon is called Rumspringa, but Sam had never heard of it. That is why, as he came near the edge of town, he had to shake his head to see if he was really hearing Heavy Metal music coming from somewhere in front of him. He started to look around, trying to find the source of the music, then, he saw a buggy parked in a ditch on the side of the road a little ways in front of him, but unlike any buggy he had ever seen. There were flashing lights around the wheel rims, and neon lights outlining the buggy shell. As he got closer, he could see the link-chain handrails, the shag carpet seats and the pile of beer bottles under the driver's side window. The horse was peacefully grazing, totally ignoring the music. Sam looked inside and there was Donald - passed out, with a puddle of beer vomit in his lap, an unlit cigarette hanging from his lip, and another two six-packs on the bench next to him. Sam stared at the contrast of this lad in full Amish dress looking like any other drunken, stupid teen after a night of screwing up. (to be continued) |
|
|
|
| New Harumf | Sep 12 2008, 02:33 PM Post #5 |
|
Bloodthirsty Unicorn
|
(continued) Sam looked for quite a while, and wasn't really sure if the geeky kid in the straw had and over-alls was even breathing. Gently, he reached in and shook the lad, who snorted, and kinda rolled over. Sam was satisfied that he was still alive and continued his stroll down the road to Dusseldorf, not having any idea how far he had to travel. He kept his thumb out, but kept his gaze forward. After walking about an hour and seeing no traffic on the road he began to wonder if he was even on the right road. It looked well-worn. Two wheel ruts the usual 4'8" apart, and clear of life, but there was no traffic whatsoever. Slowly, the sound of horses steady "clip-clop" could be heard behind him, intermingled with more music. He strained his ears, and could just barely make out: Just a' urchin livin' under the street I'm a hard case that's tough to beat I'm your charity case So buy me somethin' to eat I'll pay you at another time Take it to the end of the line Ragz to richez or so they say Ya gotta keep pushin' for the fortune and fame It's all a gamble When it's just a game Ya treat it like a capital crime Evrybody's doin' their time Take me down To the paradise city Where the grass is green And the girls are pretty Take me home The music got louder, but there was a bend in the road behind him, so he could not see what was coming: Strapped in the chair of the city's gas chamber Why i'm here i can't quite remember The surgeon general says it's hazardous to breathe I'd have another cigarette but i can't see Tell me who ya gonna believe Take me down To the paradise city Where the grass is green And the girls are pretty Take me home So far away So far away So far away So far away And louder still: Captain america's been torn apart Now he's a court jester with a broken heart He said - Turn me around and take me back to the start I must be losin' my mind - "are you blind?" I've seen it all a million times Finally, the fancy buggy with the lights and the thin, pale-faced blonde Amish boy came into view. Oh, well, thought Sam. What the Hell. He stuck out his thumb and waited for the buggy to reach him. The buggy stopped, and the boy, Donald, squinted at Sam, and said, "Where ya head'n, Mister?" Sam cleared his throat, and said, "Dusseldorf. This the right road?" "Best be," said the teen. "I'm heading there myself. Hop on up." Sam muttered, "Thanks." and made sure the vomit was cleaned up from the seat before he took it. It was, so he sat down. Donald reached to the floor, turned a switch, and another Guns & Roses song began blareing from hidden speakers somewhere in the floor boards. "Wanna beer?" asked the boy, and he grabbed one from a six pack and pulled the tab. "Ah, no thank you," responded Sam. "Just how far is it to Dusseldorf?" "Oh," said the boy, "a good eight hours if the weather holds." Sam stared at the boy, and then said, "I think I'll have that beer, then." |
|
|
|
| NRE | Sep 19 2008, 01:32 PM Post #6 |
|
Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman
|
It was one hell of a ride to Dusseldorf, reminding Sam a bit of his college days though luckily he had the common sense to quit early enough to have it out his system by the time the two finally reached the city. His ride finally came to a stop and he slowly got out of the buggy, still a bit hungover from the ride. "You take care of yourself" same told Donald and watch him off as he went down the road. Sam waited a moment to let the ringing stop in his ears, he never was one for loud music in his younger years and it only got worse with age. Again dusting himself off and using a window to some bakery as a mirror he straighten his tie and continued on down the road. The Amish were certainly a respectable society and no so far off from the rest of the world. They dealt with many of the same problems the most advanced nations of the world did, if Donald wasn't evidence enough of that. If anything in Sam's eyes they should be more respected than other nations given their strong will to remain the same even in the face of advancement all around them. The Confederacy would have to realize this above anything else if they wanted a good deal with the Amish. It was something Sam knew he would have to take to heart if this was going to work. After a brisk walk through most of Dusseldorf he finally came to the main chambers of the Amish elders. An impressive building by Amish standards it was something to be admired should you take a fancy at Amish architecture Sam thought. Kocking on the door, believing it was the only polite thing to do, he waited for it to be answer. When that answer came, he took the time to introduce himself. "Howdy, my name is Sam Hardison and I am an ambassador from the United Confederate States of America" man was this coming out like more of a door-to-door sales pitch Sam thought to himself as he contnued " I was wondering if it were possible to speak with the Amish elders about matter of diplomacy?" |
|
|
|
| New Harumf | Sep 22 2008, 09:56 AM Post #7 |
|
Bloodthirsty Unicorn
|
The Elder answering the door looked Sam up and down, then said, "Wait here." Sam waited, cooling his heels in the shade of what he would have to simply describe as the "porch" of the capital building. After a few seconds a woman opened the door and handed Sam a glass of lemonaide, then quickly disappeared back into the building. Sam stared at the glass, then took a sip. It was cold and refreshing, so he continued to drink. He stared down the road he had just come down, still waiting, when suddenly he heard a voice from aside the porch, "Beware!" Sam startled, then strode from the source of the noise. A very ancient looking man dressed in tattered, ragged Amish dress stared at him from the deepest, blackest eyes he had ever seen. He had his right arm raised and a boney finger pointed right at Sam. "Beware the topaz. It comes to ruin all, and when it comes all will parish, the last of which will be you. All will parish when the parallel lines are drawn. All will parish, save one!" With that, the ancient man moved quickly away, almost too fast to be believed, and disappeared behind the building. Sam was unnerved briefly, then regained his composure just as the front door swung opened. A short Amish man looking too much like Graucho Marx with a beard approached him, stuck out his hand, and said, "Hello, my friend, I am Chester Prowajkiwitz, Chief Elder of the Amish Children, won't you come in and join me." The bewildered Sam was caught speechless. Never before had the head of any state personally met him at the door and ushered him into a building. He simply followed the man into the hall, and into a plain wooden office on the side with a simple table and two chairs. "Please, sit and make yourself comfortable. Can I get you some more lemonaide, or perhaps a sandwich?" Edited by New Harumf, Sep 22 2008, 09:56 AM.
|
|
|
|
| NRE | Sep 23 2008, 09:55 PM Post #8 |
|
Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman
|
"Please, if it's not too much trouble I would like another glass of this fine Lemonade." said Sam as he pulled out his handkerchief and patted his brow. Though he wouldn't admit it, the episode he had with the old man outside the building had him a been startled. He kept his composure while with the elder however as there was a lot at stake with the talks. "Chief Elder Prowajkiwitz" said Sam after clearing his throat "as I said at the door my name is Sam Hardison and I am an Ambassador to the United Confederate States of America. My government has sought at interest in making economic deals with nations it feels friendly and understanding to it's cause." "Frankly sir there are many in the Confederacy that respect and applaud the life you Amish live here in the South as it so closely resembles the lives some Confederate Americans live back home, in the mountain country.Hillbillies, mountain folk, whatever they wish to go by live in solitude much like yourselves and make a good living to boot." Sam took a sip of his lemonade and patted his brow again before continuing on. He couldn't help but dwell in the back of his mind on the words of the old man. "That is why my government feels your country is perhaps one of the only countries in Europe who can understand us enough to see the economic potential in good trade relations. We have an over abundance of cash crops: Corn, Cotton, Tabacco, etc. that we'd like to see invested into a strong market and feel the Amish are the only one who can benefit the most. Our trade potential doesn't stop with agricultural goods either as we also an wide array of plows, shovels and other hand tools that your people could use." "What we'd asked in return is that we'd be allowed to trade our goods for an equal amount of the goods your country can produce. We've heard the Amish are world famous for their one of a kind quilts not to mention the agricultural goods your people can grow that we simply do not have the climate for." Same paused again to take a sip of the ice cold lemonade. He then leaned in as he continued. "What my governments wishes to express the deepest is Elder Chief Prowajkiwitz, that the United Confederate States of America is in a unique position to help and defend it's allies military. We have one of the largest and most powerful military forces in the western hemisphere. An with the world in the political situation that it is, I am sure that your people recognize the significance of strong allies." |
|
|
|
| New Harumf | Sep 27 2008, 09:35 AM Post #9 |
|
Bloodthirsty Unicorn
|
"I think we can do business. We would be interested in many of your manufactured goods, and also, I understand you breed some very hearty horses down in the Southern mountains that would be of great interest to us as well. I will send an elder to return with you and work out an agreement. "As far as military protection, well, we are under no threat here from our neighbors and have no interest in the world's affairs outside our borders, but if the situation should change, we will let you know." With that said, Chester rose and shook Sam's hand firmly. "Wait here, and Elder Smith will come and travel with you back to your wonderful land and work out the details. Anything he agrees to will be my people's bond. Go with God, and may his grace always be upon you." |
|
|
|
| « Previous Topic · Inter-regional Relations · Next Topic » |
11:36 AM Jul 13