CH 19: revolution in the hallways

Independence… signed and sealed… Everything under control… Everything perfect… …WHERE IN HELL IS THE COFFEE?! Morning dawns and I’m in command Everything going exactly as planned Chairman bowed — powers handed down We broke the chain, we claimed the crown Hell is a nation, the paperwork’s signed Property ours, the people aligned Independent, trading, bold and free… WHERE THE HELL IS MY COFFEE?? Skizz is gone — silence in the hall No familiar faces, no help when I call “Thark! Get in here!” — nothing but cold air I walk the corridors but nobody’s there Just two figures standing by the laundry door Naked, confused, and wanting more…   “Our clothes are gone!” the green one cries “Nobody’s working to our surprise!” The red one speaks — acting cool “WE VOTED UNION — WE’RE NOT YOUR TOOL!” No rights, no respect, no safety checks We demand better it's what we expect?!   STRIKE! THE SYSTEM’S COMING UNDONE! THEY’VE WOKEN UP — EVERY SINGLE ONE! We declared ourselves free, council thought they were king But the subjects don’t listen now to anything! UNION! VOICES RING OUT LOUD! THE FOUNDATIONS CRACK BENEATH THE CROWD! They built this empire — now it slips away… WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR PERFECT DAY?! Councillors gather — faces grim and tight Hours pass away in the fading light John of Sloth speaks deep and low: “The papers filed… now to work we just say no" We shut the centres, the mines and mills Stopped the labour, engaged the wills without the locals to serve and obey We can't control the souls or make them stay! They’re sharing knowledge — teaching each other! WORKSHOPS AND THERAPY — HELPING ONE ANOTHER!” I feel the sickness rising in my throat How did this begin? How did it start? Sister Ser-sha SLAMS her fist on the tablr “you should see my ring- it's become unstable" They're shagging in theirhomes and in the streets Succubus sharing tips beneath the sheets! Tourists pouring in from every domain! MY REALM IS MEANT TO BRING THE PAIN!” Then Aida screams — voice cracking with rage: “MINE ARE HUNTING IN PACKS — OUT THEIR CAGE! Raid the larders — devour and roam! They’re stripping the pantries of every home!” Beetle shifts — quiet, awkward, meek: “I… saw this was happening… I tried to speak… I listened as they presented their case Now Anger management… painting and a Creative space…” WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, BEETLE?! All that we built… dissolving to dust… Control we held… was never robust… We didn't foresee this beneath our gaze The change was coming all these days We thought the council were masters of the game But everythings now shifted, now nothing’s the same… Then Richard speaks — soft, quiet, clear: “Hey… what about Bob? Shouldnt he be here?”   WHAT ABOUT BOB?! WHERE IS HE AT! DID BOB DO THIS? DID BOB DO THAT? We built our kingdom on chains and lies HE GAVE THEM THE IDEA TO ORGANISE! STRIKE! THE EMPIRE FALLS APART! BOB IS THE REVOLUTIONS HEART! We declared independence for the council— thought we were free… BOB brought it to the people and now they see Tonio stares… eyes wide… The pieces click… inside… He didn’t march… he didn’t shout… He just planted seeds… and walked about… What about Bob… What about Bob… What an interesting guy If he wasn't dead he'd have to die There is no choice he has to go For now though it seems he runs the show NOW WHERE IN HELL IS MY COFFEE