"Bertram! Is everything prepared?"
"Yes,Sir. Everything is in place as you have directed."
"Good, good. This is not a task that I relish Bertram, but one that must be
done for the good of France. The men?"
"Outside waiting, Sir."
"Very well. Let's get on with this then."
With a final glance in the mirror to see that his uniform is in perfect
order, Alain turns and walks out the door of his office and into the bright
afternoon sunshine. On the street, a half dozen armed men sit astride their
horses holding the reins of another pair. Again looking carefully at these
men's uniforms before silently mounting his own steed. The procession
slowly but steadily makes it's way through the bustling streets, finally
finding themselves outside an opulent structure. Alain can see that his men
are nervous indeed, and so takes a few minutes to strengthen their resolve
and calm their nerves. All the while his own nerves hidden by his tight
grip on the reins. Finally, taking a deep breath he dismounts, followed
closely by his men. They walk up the grand steps to the door and solemnly
enter the great hall, their boots echoing hollowly as the sound is swallowed
in the arching ceiling. With surprising suddenness, they find themselves
outside of the office they came here for. After a quick knock on the door,
they are called to enter from the far side. The door opens into an
exquisitely appointed office, with a secretary seated behind a quite
organized desk.
"May I help you?" asks the man behind the desk.
"I've come to speak with the Minister on an urgent matter. I will brook no
delays in seeing him."
Looking carefully at the Commissioner, the man asks them to wait while he
notifies His Grace. Moments later he reappears and invites Alain into the
office beyond. Entering into the office, Alain is struck by the sheer size
of the room.
"Well, Commissioner, what is it that's so dreadfully important?" comes the
mature voice from behind the desk at the far end of the room by the windows
overlooking a quiet park.
"Sir, I certainly don't know how to go about this diplomatically, so I'll
just get right to the point. As the duly appointed Commissioner of Public
Safety, it is my duty to do all in my power to protect His Majesty, His
subjects, and His holdings against harm. These things you are certainly
well aware of. However, recent events have lead to another investigation
that you did not ask me to initiate, and that is what brings me here today.
By the authority given to me, and in direct response to my primary function
I hereby place you, Brigadier General le Duc Jean Senior Junior, Minister of
State, under arrest for the crime of treason against His Majesty King Louis
the Fourteenth of France."
With that simple statement, the armed soldiers also entered the room to
witness the undescribable look of horror and outrage that fought for control
of the Minister's countenance. Alain turned away as his men took le Duc
into custody, only meeting his gaze as he is escorted from the room - the
vehemence of the curses thrown upon the Commissioner echoing loudly in his
ears as they once again head into the streets of Paris....
[OOC: Obviously, considering the subject of this missive, I did not gain
authorization to use JSJ prior to this moment. I do apologize for this, but
couldn't be helped. And just so everyone is clear.... AdS arrests JSJ for
treason against the King.]
