Propaganda? No, It's Fact. Honest!

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Bato Golden"]


People were snooping around Commenor lately. Some for good, and some with ill intent. Most of the outsiders liked ro come and question her about her rise to power. Some of the Loyalists had invited them, to poke holes in her perfect little world that she was rebuilding after her release from captivity.

There needed to be something to put that to rest. And something greater than just another interview. She needed a film. One that was bigger than a commercial and boasted all of the splendor that Commenor and herself had to offer as well as the success that they've had so far. So Kay put the call out there, sending word out to Commenor's allies for any film makers out there that would be willing to take on such a project. Any successful applicants would be directed to show samples of their work and then be sent to her office.

Hopefully the whole process wouldn't take long.

 

[Bato Golden]

Bato Golden was slightly concerned. He was on his way to meet with the Queen of Commenor, so he could make a pitch, all to make a really fancy tourism ad. He hadn't really made advertisements before; Bato's calling was action films and the like, and showing explosions in a major city was a sure fire way to drop the tourism rate. The guard escorting him certainly didn't have any ideas. Still, there had to be something here that made the planet worth something. As he lost his escort and was left to enter the office of the Queen, he gave himself a mental note to tour the planet, and hopefully find something worth seeing.

"Hey, I'm Bato Golden. You wanted to speak with me?"

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay was sort of excited. She had never met anyone like [member="Bato Golden"] before, though the samples of his work were all well known. So hearing that he was coming gave her hope.

She was seated in one of the comfy chairs and gestured for Bato to join her on one of the adjacent ones.

"Glad to meet you. I put the call out to quell the confusion and rumours that have been spreading about me since I returned. It's all starting to go in a bad way and I don't want it to ruin Commenor's reputation. With your background and experience, I'm sure that you're the right person for the job."

 

[Bato Golden]

Bato nodded and took a seat. He adjusted his position a few times - it was a bit unnerving to be meeting with royalty, especially when he was so woefully uninformed on the situation of the planet. Still, he had to start with his best foot forward.

"So, what are you thinking, in regards to what you would want done? Something fact based, dispel the rumors? Or more of a tourism and theatre sort of thing, attract some tourists, create some pride and all that?"
He scratched the back of his head, and offered up an apologetic smile. "I'll admit, this is a bit out of my area of expertise, but there's nothing wrong with a challenge."

"Oh, right! I'm sorry, how should I address you? [member="Lady Kay"]? Queen? Something in the middle?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

She studied [member="Bato Golden"] as he moved around. She had a habit of doing the same thing, shifting her position, scratching the back of her head, all while she was a bit uncomfortable. But today she wasn't.

"A bit of both actually. We have a long history, mostly built around our shifting allegiances and neutrality. Despite my kidnapping, I'd like people to be aware that nothing has changed. The film could have some action, some great cinematography and I'd want to be seen in a good light. Do you think that you could do that?"

To his question on her title, she tilted her head to the side a bit as she thought it over. "Lady Kay is fine. Only my staff or the Commenori refer to me as their Queen."

 

[Bato Golden]

"[member="Lady Kay"] it is, then." The actor listened attentively as Kay made her requests, making quick mental notes on script ideas.

"Alright, so you're looking for more of a cultural product. Make a good movie, make it here, make people think Commenor is perfectly stable, got it." Bato nodded. "Yeah, we can do that. You said you wanted to be seen in a good light. Any cultural faux pas we should know about, taboos and the like?"

He paused for a moment. "Another thing. Would you mind acting in the film itself?" Bato gave his best award season smile. "Having the Queen play a role in the first film shot since her return would paint you as a sort of... patron of the arts. You've certainly got a face for it, and it couldn't hurt, right?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

"Acting? Me?" She hadn't done anything of the sort before. Sure she sang during the Celebration weekend before her capture, but that was much different than acting. "I could try. But I have no experience at it..."

She then thought back on [member="Bato Golden"] 's previous question. "We have no vices here, we're not a planet like Zeltros or Tatooine. But there are some here and elsewhere that believe that the Elders were ....removed to pave the way for my rise to power. I need to change that perception."

 

[Bato Golden]

'Hmmm..." Bato mulled over a few ideas in his head. "Well, that could present a bit of a challenge. There's never really a good way to approach the idea of political assassination in a film that's unrelated to the issue. It might come off as a bit tasteless. Unless..."

The actor nodded, and turned back to [member="Lady Kay"]. "If we made it a film about your rise to power, we'd have free reign to work with the events. While it might be a bit awkward to flat out suggest an alternative to what happened, with a bit of work, we could paint your rise in a much more sympathetic light."

"However, the film would be a bit more niche, and certainly more controversial. Plus, it would require you to take a more... central role, when it comes to acting and the like."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay thought about it for a moment. A movie centralized on her? That wasn't exactly what she was going for to start off with. But she learned a long time ago to be adabtable. Sure she was stubborn, but there were times when her stubborness did her no good.

After some more thought, she nodded. "Alright. I'll give it a shot. But if my acting is really bad, you'll have to cast someone else. And be honest about it too."

[member="Bato Golden"]

 

[Bato Golden]

"Right, good. We can work with that." Bato reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a small datapad. "So, where could I learn more about Commenor's history? And your rise to power, of course. Once I know what happened, me and my team can write up a quick screenplay draft, and have you look it over for revisions and the like."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

For the next hour or so of [member="Bato Golden"] 's visit, Kay gave him the public version of events that unfolded. And all that she could remember. Some events and people were omitted because she no longer had knowledge of them. Little bits and pieces in her holo-mail was not enough.

*****************************************

The following week, even though the script had yet to be finalized, they both thought it prudent that Kay audition for the role of playing herself. She stood in her office with Bato and recited one of her speeches, trying her best to draw on the emotions at the time. However with this reading, she held more conviction in her words, more anger at the mention of those that would hurt her people and break the law.


"My friends....Thank you. Thank you so much for your trust, for your consideration and for your confidence. I am so very humbled, yet pleased to be appointed to serve my fellow Commenori in these most eventful times.

Empires and Republics throughout the Galaxy rise and fall, but we survive. Economies throughout the Galaxy rise and fall, but we survive. It is through our strength, our virtues and our due diligence that has enabled Commenor to never change.

And yet, some had tried to change it. Due to deregulation by the previous administration, Crime Lords from various corners of the Galaxy are trying to gain a foothold on our streets. I have seen it with my own eyes as one man had his daughter kidnapped by one such Crime Lord. The poor man was blackmailed and all in a bid to have a large quantity of spice smuggled through our ports. Well that is going to stop! Already, plans are in motion to stop the Black Markets and the Underground from using our ports as a thoroughfare for their illegal goods. I would love to share the details, but as you can imagine, I have to keep it secret.

When criminals and murderers attacked this system, we had fair warning, and I was so proud that in less than an hour, you all reached safety. And for those in our military that took up arms and patrolled our skies and streets, you have my thanks. I am confident that we will be able to withstand almost any invasion. Yet should our defences not be enough, you need not worry. There are many allies and friends to Commenor, ones with fleets, soldiers and medics to come to our aid. And with the One Sith territory growing so close to ours, it is alright to feel a little nervous. But we must never let such things slow us down or get in the way of our progression.

Truth be told, I am a little nervous too, my friends. This is the first time that I have spoken to this many people, but seeing your faces, your smiles, you give me strength and courage for our future. I promise you that I will not falter. And I promise you that my office is open to you for any concerns or suggestions that you might have. As you saw during my campaign, I am and always will be willing to listen. You are all my friends. Together we will continue to flourish and ensure that for generations to come, Commenor will survive and thrive! Thank you!"

It was over. Or at least that part anyways. She chewed the inside of her cheek as she waited to hear his criticism.

 

[Bato Golden]

"Well," Bato started, "It wasn't bad. There was a lot of emotion and energy in it, and that's good." He paused for a moment, letting a silent 'but' hang in the air. "I'm just not sure if the emotional delivery was exactly where it should have been. The anger's there, but there should be more there. I feel like there should be more fear, sadness, everything you felt the first time you said these words, not just how you feel now."

"Still, your impression of [member="Lady Kay"] is uncanny, so I think you've got the part."

((OOC: Sorry for the delay, caught a cold.))

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay chewed the inside of her cheek. More fear? More sadness? She wasn't quite sure if she could. But then again, one never knows until they try. Did [member="Bato Golden"] want her to try again? She wasn't entirely sure of how the process worked.

She smirked as he mentioned that she had an uncanny ability to play herself. "Why thank you. I was hoping that just looking the part was only half the battle. Now...for my kidnapping, we aren't going to recreate my torture, are we?"

 

[Bato Golden]

"No, no, definitely not, [member="Lady Kay"]." He paused and rolled the idea around in his head. "Well, most likely not. Depends on how the ratings board works for Commenor. It wouldn't be an actual torture, obviously, and if push comes to shove, we can use a stunt double and insert your voice lines in post."

Bato nodded as he continued. "We won't if you don't want to. Anyway, try it again, with more of how you were feeling the moment you had to give the speech. Think back, try and put yourself back there."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay breathed a sigh of relief. Nightmares, councelling, it was enough to have to relive her months of torture from that. She didn't want to go through it in other ways too. "Maybe just...behind closed doors or something. And usually I had a veil over my head when I was dragged from room to room, so that would be easy to do with a stunt double."

But back to her monologue. Or rather, her speech. Kay closed her eyes and let out a deep breath, trying to put herself back in that moment. Though her memory was full of holes and that frustrated her. Yet those were just excuses.

Another deep breath and then she opened her eyes, looking past [member="Bato Golden"] as though he wasn't there. Then she went through her speech once more.

 

[Bato Golden]

Bato blinked, and stared silently at [member="Lady Kay"] for a few seconds. "That was... better. A lot better." He scratched at the back of his head again. "Sorry to make you do that. You alright?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay took another deep breath, but this time it was more of a sigh of relief. She smiled a little as she looked to [member="Bato Golden"] , bowing her head a little. "Thank you. And it's alright. I'm sure that it's just the audition process. Speeches are....quite common for me. I've just never had to repeat one before, outside of my own practice anyways. My mirror in my bedchambers is my number one audience."

 

[Bato Golden]

"Well, if it's any consolation, you were fantastic. I'll have the script's first draft finished as soon as possible, and I'll get it to you right away. You have any questions or concerns, anything like that?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

"Thank you. If I can convince you, then everyone else should be easier."

She looked up at the ceiling as she tried to think on whether or not she had any questions for [member="Bato Golden"] . "I would assume that I just bring my own wardrobe?"

 

[Bato Golden]

Bato nodded. "Yeah, you could just go ahead and do that. It would certainly help with expenses and authenticity. Still, I know a few people, so if you think you'd want something new, I'll get the costume guys on it." The actor shrugged. "They're already working on stuff for the extras and things like that, so it wouldn't be too much trouble."

[member="Lady Kay"]