[The Archivist scribbles a few final words in his crumbling ledger]
And so it came to pass that Mr. Collins - that personage of ancient Egypt and defender of the Library of Alexandria - managed to strike the fatal blow in the final contest. Finally free of his own centuries-old burden, the lifeless body of Zero Demos slumped to the floor. The energy released in the Final Quickening was a supernatural storm washing over the city before being contained by Mr. Collins.
Only one person had any idea what that meant. It is my fondest hope that Mr. Collins (@David_Falkayn) will explain to us how this story ends. In possession of The Prize, the final chapter is his to write.
An open letter to Mr. William Collins, Esq., Planetary Ruler
Dear Mr. Collins:
The undersigned have some questions regarding your management of world affairs since your Final Quickening and your attainment of The Prize of ultimate power and knowledge.
We understand that you are a busy man, and most of your time and effort is focused on your studies in grammar and philosophy (a less-charitable observer might question why this is taking so long for one in possession of ultimate knowledge). Consequently, it may have escaped your notice that it is now 2018 AD, thirty-two years since your well-deserved victory in the final Gathering.
It gives us no pleasure to point out that the era of world peace and cooperation which we were led to believe would ensue, and for which so many of us worked and sacrificed, has not yet arrived and does not seem imminent.
While we will always be grateful for your efforts in preventing the eternal dark age that would have engulfed us if your opponent had prevailed, we respectfully remind you that with ultimate power comes ultimate responsibilty.
Whatâs it like livinâ in this skull these past three decades?
They say that you play too loud
Well baby thatâs tough
They say that you got too much
Canât get enough
They tell you that you look a fool
Baby Iâm a fool for you
They say that your mindâs diseased, shaky stuff
Itâs a rock ânâ roll damnation
Maâs own whippinâ boy
Rock ânâ roll damnation
Take a chance while you still got the choice
You say that you want respect
Honey for what
For everything that you done for me
Thanks a lot
Get up off your bended knees
You can set your mind at ease
My temperatureâs runninâ hot
I been waitinâ all night
For a bite of what you got
Itâs a rock ânâ roll damnation
Maâs own whippinâ boy
Rock ânâ roll damnation
Take a chance while you still got the choice
Itâs a hard life
Damnation, theyâre putting you down
Damnation, all over town
Damnation, Cause youâre way outta reach
Living on the street you gotta practice what you preach
An itâs a rock ânâ roll damnation
Maâs own whippinâ boy
Rock ânâ roll damnation
Take a chance while you still got the choice
Damnation, you left a happy home
Damnation, To live on your own
Damnation, You wanna live in sin
Itâs a rock ânâ roll
Damnation, Just a bundle of joy
Damnation, youâre a toy for a boy
Damnation, you got the dollars in your eye
Always chasinâ that pie in the sky
Rock ânâ roll damnation
So Much Strife. So Much Killing. So Much Lost. For What?
For Consensus.
That is Prize. Our Talents, pooled.
We no longer spread across the world, hiding our gifts from humanity.
With the Prize, we act in concert. We have impact beyond the thud of our weapons.
Maple Clamphoofâs @glutnix gentleness and good cheer now works alongside The Ratchetâs @pogo bloodlust and GroĂ Wilhelmâs @durhamindurham skill. The Kurgan will never know what hit him.
Maud dâOillyâs @KeisterButton grace and perception is now all of us, as is Nellieâs @penguinchris well-illustrated wanderlust, Henry Farnsworthâs @Wisconsin_Platt attitude of positive cooperation, and Shempâs @hadley grasp.
Red Dog @SteampunkBanana now dances to the vocal antics of Bon McEvoy @donald_petersen and The Devil Himself @guest_account_7 while drawing on the ancient knowledge of Ennis @gwwar and the Three Sisters @ChickieD in a bar replete with boisterous Highlanders: Aeaba Taylor @eve, Rachel McGinty @CleverEmi, Hep Burn @miasm, and the irrepressible Bark McBarkruff @ghoti (who still has terrible calligraphy) .
An eternity that will be lovingly documented by Bag of Hammersâ @dreamboatskankyâs trusty No 2 pencil. and nurtured by Momâs @old love and pies. Though weâll miss Harold
The Prize gives us an opportunity to grow. Juanâs @strokeybeard view of women could âupdated.â Perhaps Eve @nightflyer can give him some âpointersâ while working the bar. We can all help The Worker @manwich acquire a 21-st century skill.
We all won. We all share the Prize now, through Consensus.
But consensus for what? That is for us decide. We have the time. Share your thoughts below, while I prepare additional remarks concerning the four key names I have so far omitted.
What should we do with this immense collective possibility?
While we chew on that, hereâs a primer on âconsensusâ decision making. It does not mean âunanimity.â It means the âsense of the meetingâ is heading in a common direction.
If you concentrate hard and blow your nose, you might extrude his essence in a form that could be installed in a new mechanical avatar. I think weâve all secretly wanted a mascot.
Never mind, we know youâll come round eventually. Personal growth is a slow but inexorable process. Look around you. All you see are sympathetic eyes. Have a cup of tea. We have time. Lots and lots.
