Peas and Politics

Abstract

Why the hell am I here? Raphael wonders as he tries to make his way through the masses of people. Civic Square is dense to overflowing and the mood is not cheerful. More to the point, why the hell is she here? He sees a crumpled cardboard box on the sidewalk. He kicks it. And since when has littering become acceptable? The cardboard hits someone’s leg. Raphael looks up and apologizes quickly. Surprisingly, the nearby faces show less anger than he feels. He tells himself to calm down. It works, somewhat. He starts looking around more carefully. The flash-texts are everywhere: “No Church Tyranny” and “Remember the Plague, Remember HQV”, but also a new, gentler one: “Give progress a chance.” They are charter-supporters, obviously, but probably moderates, not the CDL. Nevertheless, it is not safe. She no longer has a security detail. She never felt comfortable with it, he knows. And it did make her more conspicuous. But coming here alone? That’s reckless. Does she really think no one will recognize her? He finally sees her up ahead. She has a scarf tied over her head and is moving along quickly. It is the scarf he recognizes. She used to use it for family outings, back when they were still a normal family. The disguise may still work for everyone else. In public appearances, Marie Delacroix is always bareheaded. The neat cap of dark brown hair with its bold tracks of gray is part of her image. Reluctantly, and at a distance, he follows her across the square.