[ video ]

[notelegrams]

[ there's a rather bashful six year old boy staring at the camera, biting his lip nervously, as if he's about to recite a poem. ]

Mi... mister Ho - Holmes. Says t'sa...ummmm. To... say.

[ He takes a slip of paper from his pocket, unfolds it slowly, then tries to read out the words - ]

Good... af... after.... noon.

[ - then he smiles brightly. ]

Good afternoon. From Mr. Hol... Holmes.



[ ooc: ...worry not, the NPC was not kept up past his curfew! And in case I forget to mark it: Mycroft will be replying to everything in TEXT. He will also be keeping a list of individuals who reply, unless you have something against it ;; ]

Comments

audio.

[feigns]

A private person. [ a beat. ] In a manner of speaking.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

I deeply regret to shatter any delusion that free speech is more than a polite formality adjunct to the democratic flag. We are all private. We cannot afford the alternative.

audio.

[feigns]

All of us, Mr. Holmes? And to think that I was under the impression that there were those who made a point of sharing all that they could simply because it's expected that they do not.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

That would mark the operative difference between competent rebellion and childish tantrums.

audio.

[feigns]

With one being far more endearing than the other.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

Marginally.

audio.

[feigns]

A matter of perspective and values.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

An acquired taste.

audio.

[feigns]

I imagine that could be said of most things.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

Most things, modern press excepted, do not involve a combination of kindergarten ceremony and high level politics.

audio.

[feigns]

Fortunately. But they're likely acquired tastes nevertheless.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

Had the invitation to the welcoming reception mentioned an investigation of subjective aesthetics, I would have worn my better coat.

audio. oh wow, i was sure i replied to this

[feigns]

Then it's fortunate that I can't see you to judge what you're wearing.

[ TEXT ] noooo rush!

[notelegrams]

An entirely unofficial ensemble, given the occasion.

audio.

[feigns]

I can't say I'd be particularly bothered one way or the other.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

Uniforms aren't a groundless tradition. They're a point of view.

audio.

[feigns]

Is that so? I'm yet to meet a schoolchild or a serviceman or a worker who considers his uniform a point of view over a tradition.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

Ideological uniformity isn't unexpected of the proletariat.

audio.

[feigns]

[ a pause, and a slight laugh. ] Not in a democracy, at any rate.