2022.09.01 Fascist or Fashionista

Fascist_or_Fashionista_2022.09.01
An evening dictated by fashion, where the audience votes a few historical figures down as either mostly fascist or mostly fashionista.
IC Date	2022.09.01
Players	Elkie, Io, Madeline, Mikael, Heathen

PROLOGUE --- A local newspaper reports a recent robbery at a large costume store, in which a number of period costumes were stolen. Among the items lost were Louis the 16th era dresses and suits, Nazi uniforms, and other historical militant wear. "We had just gotten in a large shipment to prepare for our Halloween blitz", offered the store manager Bill Wurtz. "It's a sad, sad day, to see such reckless and impersonal purloining of our valuable stock, which was, unfortunately, not yet insured."

And now... Fascist or Fashionista?

Elysium is draped with luxe black curtains, reused from events past, but still luxe. They line a runway that extends from the middle of the curved staircase to just before the dias. Lights are arranged with more expertise than you might expect; the Elysium ghouls know their way around a good light show, after all. There is a screen at the back of the runway, showing slow-shifting silhouettes of curvy ladies in high-boots and military hats, heavy weapons, and missiles thrusting into the air. The regular seats are arranged to line the runway. AK-47s, grenades, and machetes decorate the runway, probably props.

Everyone is given an auction paddle when they arrive; one side reads FASCIST and the other side reads FASHIONISTA.

Heathen makes his way to tonight's festivities, laughing for a moment as he checks the decor. "Well, quite an array of props."

The Keeper is, again, nowhere to be seen, however the Elysium ghouls are on duty, and seeing to everyone's needs. Heathen is handed an auction paddle as he steps onto the main floor.

Madeline drifts in, elegance from head to toe tonight in black and red

Mikael arrives with Madeline and Heathen dressed in an Italian silk black suit with a blood red shirt. His hair is pulled back in a severe ponytail that is braided and falling down his back. He glances around the room, his eyebrows arching upwards.

Heathen checks his paddle, gives it a small twirl. "Well, this might come in handy."

A disembodied voice speaks darkly across the main floor, someone using the famous Morgan Freeman voice filter app. "Please take your seats, the show will begin momentarily. To create the appropriate mood, there will be flashing lights, loud noises and very fake explosions. You have been warned."

Madeline and Mikael are both offered a paddle by the Elysium ghouls.

Madeline accepts her paddle and twirls it with a smile "how charming" then kisses Mikael and Heathen each upon the cheek

Mikael accepts his paddle, giving a bright smile to the ghouls, "Merci." He then looks upwards as he listens to the voice, "It sounds as if we might be within a simulation battle. Perhaps similar to our VR game in Timeless." He leans into the kiss from Madeline and then returns it on her hand as is his usual way.

Heathen takes a seat and prepares for the show. "There's something to be said about the immersion of practical effects."

Madeline laughs softly about the warning and moves to take a seat with the gentlemen

As the Kindred take their seats, the lights dim to pitch black, and the Imperial March from Star Wars begins to play.

https://youtu.be/-bzWSJG93P8

Heathen whistles along.

Io arrives, fashionably late. She pauses at the dimness and then makes an effort to not trip over anyone or anything as she searches for a seat.

In the style of the Star Wars pre-film litany, the following message scrolls by:

In history there have been people, great and terrible, who made a powerful impact on history, Kindred and mortal, both politically and in the most underrated realm of FASHION. It is your mission, nay your duty, to vote tonight --- to decide once and for all, on the balance of FASCIST vs FASHIONISTA... where does their true nature lie?

Mikael takes a seat on the couch tonight instead of standing at the wall behind it. As the music plays his eyes shift around looking for the possible entrance of Vader. Then he chuckles and shakes his head at himself as he reads the message.

Madeline reads the scrolling message and smiles, lifting a hand in greeting to Io inviting the Primogen to join them.

Now the music fades to a tinny version of the Imperial March, and the following is displayed on the projector screen, grainy like a film from the 1930's.

FASCIST: A follower or adherent of FASCISM.

FASCISM: a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition

Heathen blows a kiss to Io with the paddle as he enjoys the presentation

An Elysium ghoul offers Io an auction paddle.

Meanwhile, the visual shifts on the projector screen; the lively violin opening of Viva La Vida by ColdPlay starts to play and the following text is displayed:

FASHIONISTA:

(informal) A person who sets or eagerly follows the latest trends in clothing and accessories.

One who designs, models, or markets high-fashion clothing

Madeline smiles and nods, speaking quietly to her companions - waiting for the first example to be offered

https://youtu.be/gJed5OiM_4M

Clips from a movie play, as Napoleon Bonaparte appears on the screen, in a majestic array. Tricorn hat, high boots, and supremely tailored jacket. As the movie clips fade, the message appears on the screen: 

"Death is nothing, but to live in defeat and without glory is to die daily" - Napoléon Bonaparte

Io sits down at the Rose-covered sectional.

Mikael gives Io a bright smile, rising until she sits down and then returns to his seat. His eyes shift back to the screen.

Io takes the offered paddle, and grins at the blown kiss her way. She gives Heathen a playful wink and then settles herself, looking up at the screen.

Madeline smiles "ah monsieur Napoleon" she says in her french accent and holds up the fascist side of her paddle

Mikael notes Madeline's paddle and remarks quietly, "But he was indeed a peacock, non? Very concerned with his appearance."

Heathen does hold up the 'fascist' part of the paddle, because it seems appropriate, "One can't be a proper despot without a sense of self importance."

The disembodied voice of Morgan Freeman (tm) speaks over the extended bridge of the music, which has been lowered. "Some of us are familiar with Napoleon and his Grande Armee. Some of us may have actually known him. Even school children can't deny, the man was a fascist... but he was also, atypically avid about fashion. Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, was in a fury over the uniforms issued to his newly created Illyrian Regiment: “Too small, too short, too tight, badly cut, badly made, badly sewed; many of the buttonholes made only with a simple snip of the scissors … sleeves not lined … capotes so tight that they cannot be worn over the uniform coat but they hamper the movements of men who have nothing on but a waistcoat under them; many … are of bad cloth … I want a report!” he wrote in his book called Correspondence on September 6, 1811."

"I see some of you have registered your votes... I will give you a few more seconds to change your mind, if you so choose."

"And feel free to offer your own insight --- loudly, so the room can hear."

Io grins at Madeline and Heathen, then looks to Mikael, "He /did/ know how to rock a tricorn hat." She considers a moment, then holds up 'fashionista'.

Mikael gives a nod of his head and decides to hold his maddle up to show Fashionista.

Madeline says, “some of us were affected by his actions, and fashion or not, he was never material for Toreador. his politics and actions defined him as facist"”

Mikael says lightly with a smile, "Perhaps he was a facist fashionista?"

Heathen says, “And now, I hear Robin Williams from Good Morning Vietnam telling the soldiers to clash...”

After a pause, the count is taken. The projector screen displays the verdict.

FASCIST!

The disembodied voice continues. "Fascist it is --- notably, if there's a silver lining to the havoc wreaked by Napoleon Bonaparte on Europe during the early 19th Century, it's that menswear today would look considerably different without it. The main thrust of the Napoleonic Wars of 1803 to 1815 may have been to advance the First French Empire, but the undercard was the undeniable impact on men's fashion in the centuries to come."

Madeline smiles at something and says "I do not know if we are permitted to discuss or simply vote?

The disembodied voice of Morgan Freeman (tm) speaks. "Discuss at length, please. Concourse is the hallmark of a lively community."

Heathen pretends to holster his paddle. "So of this was the internet, we'd be starting a Napoleon Bonaparte vs Napoleon Dynamite discussion."

There is no fanfare as the screen goes black, plunging the room in darkness. Slowly however, the sweet and yet guttural strains of Die Wacht am Rein begins to play, showing scenes from the Third Reich, highlighting the next subject of the evening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQjCtiX0xBc

Madeline smiles at Heathen "I cannot smack you with this paddle, but I can imagine it' she teases "And yes, menswear did change but I had no issue personally with his clothing choices, only his destruction of the culture in which I lived"

Mikael chuckles softly, "Well I was out voted but I agree of course with the fashion statement. To be a fashionista does not require that you be a good or moral person, oui?"

The disembodied voice of Morgan Freeman (tm) speaks over the extended bridge of the music, which is actually quite uplifting and energetic. "Hitler. What can I say. The man is so hated, Germany had to reboot itself. Yet." A pause, as the Elysium ghouls descend the stairs in a horde, sporting crisp WWI German uniforms. They strut down each of the curved staircases and up to the dias, pursing their lips and showing off Stasi uniforms, ghoulish gas masks, and then, appearing at the end of the runway, Elkie decked at as the Fuhrer himself --- floppy black wig, tidy imperious uniform, and little black brush-stash. She speaks into a microphone afixed to her jaw. "The Nazis may well have been as close to evil as we have ever seen, but they understood branding. Never before had military aggression and fashion come together so forcefully. And it made a big impact. The world of high fashion has shown signs of military—and specifically Nazi—influence ever since."

Heathen says, “And learned to march from can can girls...”

Elkie winks at Heathen, then lifts a hand in the ubiquitous Nazi salute, to which the Elysium ghouls stamp one foot and yell, in unison, "HEIL FASHION!", before goosestepping, coincidentally, back down the runway, and progressing militantly back up the stairs.

Io blinks a few times at this display, "Huh." she says simply. "I know military styles have impacted fashion, but it's not quite my taste."

Madeline says, “I would rather have thought that came from the English, they spread their influence far further than Hitler ever did, ho3w. many.... 0”

Madeline says, “How many Empires did they finally amass?”

Heathen offers.a long sigh. "Ah, but as one general stated, and many others silently gnashed teeth over... one army for the parades, the other for war."

After a sort of pause, the disembodied voice speaks, as if reading from a card. "...At its peak, the Nazi empire was extended to wide areas of the Baltic states, Belorussia (now Belarus), Ukraine, and European Russia; Poland and the protectorate of Bohemia-Moravia; Serbia and Greece (where the occupation was shared with the Italians); and the nominally independent satellite states of Slovakia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. In the west, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium were all under German occupation, as was part of France from the summer of 1940 and the whole country from November 1942."

"So given that... are you ready to vote?" The disembodied urges people to raise their paddles, as the project screen displays: FASCIST or FASHIONISTA?

Heathen holds up the obvious Fascist vote

Mikael holds up his paddle to read Fascist.

Io holds up her paddle to show 'Fascist'.

Heathen says, “Of course, it makes sense that to vote for one, both sides are still up in the air...just one behind the other”

"The verdict is in." The projector screen fades, before the word FASCIST! twirls and settles into place with a loud crash. "Hitler is a hard sell, no doubt. And let's be honest, he ruined the brush-stash for everyone else."

The screen fades, and it's a prolonged fade. Suddenly broken by the discordant jive of Ke$ha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAkHXNmMDgM

The ghouls dance-step down the stairs, dressed in their finest Baroque costume --- courtesan dresses, silken suits, and, of course, majestic white wigs.

Madeline laughs softly

Heathen hmmms as the next batch comes down. "Is this where I comment on buffet lines..."

Mikael nods his head and then looks to Madeline, "I believe this one shall be easy enough. For all else said about her, she inspired fashion. I understand everyone wanted to be like her?"

The ghouls gather together at the far end of the runway, before bursting forth, releasing Elkie, again, dressed as Marie Antoinette herself. She smiles saucily, and smoothes her impossibly high white wig, speaking confidently as she raises her arms and struts down the catwalk. "Let them eat cake, she said. Maybe it was a myth. I suspect it's not even the worst thing she ever said about her subjects, those peasants. But certainly, she lived, and died, to regret it. But damn." Elkie twirls, reveling in the sway of the gorgeous ball gown. "She did it in style!"

Heathen looks toward Madeline. "I suppose that's a question of whether she was out of touch, or cruel.

The Louis the 16th era models bow and begin to sashay back down the runway, and to the staircases. The project screen displays: FASCISTXN or FASHIONISTA?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYYzBCSE1Ns

Heathen offers this one a Fashionista vote

Madeline smiles a touch sadly. "That is a myth, to which I can attest" and turns her paddle to Fasionista

Mikael joins the others in giving a Fashionista vote.

Io also offers a Fashionista vote, and glances at Madeline with a slightly arched eyebrow.

The voice of Morgan Freeman (tm) wastes no time in condemning the Dauphin's complicated wife. FASHIONISTa! tumbles into view, and the sound of canned applause plays, as the screen fades, and the credits begin to roll. "Thank you everyone, for your presence, your insights, and your opinions. I hope you all enjoyed the evening, and the costumes that were procured personally by me, Keeper Elkie Darling. The ghouls pretty much did everything else --- behold their names." The names scroll by too quickly for anyone to read them, but it was a very stylish font. The final message: HAVE A WONDERFUL NIGHT, COMRADES!

Mikael rises and applauds, giving a flourishing bow to Elkie.

Madeline smiles and applauds warmly "Dear Keeper, when you are ready I do wish to thank you for tonight. Do you prefer a gown or other?

Io applauds and gives Elkie a smile, "Very well done," She offers. "Thank you for a fun evening."

Heathen rises and turns in his paddle."Lovely evening,"

Elkie, who has emerged wearing a round fur hat and long leather jacket, similar to that sported by Dear Leader's son, Kim Jong Un, smiles to Madeline. "I haven't had occasion to wear a gown in... many many years."

Mikael looks 5o Elkie and then to Madeline and back, "The Mademoiselle makes incredible gowns, and surely as Keeper now you shall have need for one at some time or another. She makes one of a kind fashions."

Heathen says, “Well, you're a Keeper now. Make the occasion up.”

Madeline smiles "which is why I design for all stages and occasions of one's life"

"I would be honoured, Emeritus Blanchard." Elkie smiles imperiously, as one does when one is a member of the Kim dynasty, though her eyes are warm. "If you are so inspired."

Madeline inclines her head with a smile "for once in some while, I am thus inspired. Let us talk soon, I will bring my notepad and help to decipher the best design for you"

"It's a date." Elkie replies warmly to Madeline. She inclines her head slightly, then gives a finger wave, and turns, departing via the runway, and disappearing up the stairs.