Meliora - Emanate - 19.5

[lady_mab]

Author: The Lady and the Ghost

My fellow citizens. Many of us were drawn to this game in hopes of learning truths, when in fact, we have been given little more than half-meaningful riddles to guide us to dead ends. Handbell concerts in cement parks, sinking towers in the middle of the Thames, and clandestine meetings in the middle of the city.

These are not clues. These are little more than a wild goose chase.

The Program Manager hides his face from the rest of us, though rest assured he is watching. Tracking our progress, awarding points, and telling us to jump so that we will leap. This is not a contest: This is a recreational sport for ALICE, and we’re the croquet ball spiraling out of control across the playing field.

We’re afraid to talk of this game to others. Not just the less than fortunate citizens that aren’t “out to learn the truth”. We are afraid to talk to one another. Information is currency in this world, and we’re all in the poor house.

There are few who have a head start. They are naturally more gifted to solving clues and pointless riddles that chase circles around the rest of us. There are some that get lucky with a guess and a stab in the dark. Why should the rest of us be allowed to suffer? Should we not all be given the chance for freedom, a common right given to the basest of men?

Not any more. This city has stripped us of a fundamental privilege, and we are powerless to fight against it. We don’t even know why this is being withheld.

This game was a promise to these truths, but it’s been two months and I have yet to hear any rumors of what is really going on. Nothing from behind the scenes or out in the frontline with us, the foot soldiers, pushing on for answers with no end in sight.

Now is the time to speak up. Now is the time to make noise and draw attention. They can’t stop what they can’t control, and we can’t be controlled if we don’t fear them. They are a corporation. They are ALICE, and they led us to believe that they are here to help us.

We pose this question to all of you -- ALICE, the Program Manager, the participants of Meliora: Just what exactly do you expect to get out of this? Just how long do you intend for this to go on before we are left stumbling in the dust of those before us?

Just how much longer do you intend to think that “the truth is out there” is a viable excuse, a worthy carrot on a stick, to string along a bunch of unfortunate, sad sacks who can’t think for themselves?

Stop being afraid. Fear is a tether and they have us hook, line and sinker.

Stop being afraid. The truth is out there, and we should not have to work for it. We have spoken, now let us be heard. ALICE’s golden rule is over. It’s time we took back the crown that we’ve strived for these last few months.

Give us facts, or give us blissful ignorance. Stop trying to act like a benevolent god among men when you won’t even put your participants on the same level.

Let us discuss the truth of the matter. Let us not be afraid to talk to our fellows.

We are the people of Eminence, and we will not be silenced.