##Just Desserts

The storm raged at the docks of Henryville (name to be changed later). The fishermen were crafting a statue of the Commander of Commanders Joseph who was supervising from an enclosed cabin on the beach. He sat at a desk underneath a portrait of himself standing triumphantly in the battlefield. Grant was standing to his right. Helga opened the door to the cabin, and the wind and rain burst into the cabin.

“Where were you!” Joseph yelled.

“I was giving the workers some almond cake.”

“Did you use the kitchen supposed to be for my meals?” he asked.

“Of course, you make them work through the night while you stay here in the warmth. The contrast was sickening.” She returned to the kitchen. “I also monitored the progress of your statue. It’s a dollop of concrete that is being destroyed by the rain.”

“I don’t care about the weather. The most important thing is to build more, and your distractions are delaying its completion.” Joseph sat at his desk and growled. There was a knock at the door. Grant ran to open and close it. A fisherman came into the room with crumbs on his lips.

“Sir, may I have a word,” he said.

“What?”

“We are happy to serve you. It’s just-”

“The weather is no excuse.” Joseph preemptively shouted.

“I agree with you. There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing. That being said, we could use better clothes beyond the rags we have.” The fisherman shook his head. “Which we will be happy to pay for ourselves.”

“Spit out your question.”

“I wonder if.” The fisherman shook in fear and cold. “It would be better to have trained sculptors on this job. We’re working hard, but we aren’t experts.”

“Sculptors. Why would I want that? They are useless.” Joseph said in a low voice.

“Uh, I don’t understand.”

“It was an accismus. God-King Austin murdered every artist in the country after one made a bad painting of him.” He pointed to the portrait behind him. “I had to travel internationally to get this one done.”

“And it’s magnificent.” The fisherman took a deep breath. “I sympathize with your position. You are clearly in a tough spot, but could we at least go home for the night?”

“What a horrible request.” He pressed a button on the table. Two armed men entered the room. “Take this man outside and execute him. Make him an example to the other workers.”

The two men looked at each other first. They both took an arm and marched him outside. Grant shook his head.

“Sir, what is your goal?” Grant asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? My legacy. That grandiose statue represents my connection to the maritime economy which represents our great country. When it’s complete, the people will remember my glory.”

“You are correct in that the sea is a large part of our culture, but that also creates sympathy for fishermen. Executing and angering them could have dire consequences,” Grant said.

“What is this insubordination?” Joseph asked.

“You’re my fifth dictator, and Helga’s twenty-second. We’ve learned to recognize the signs before a downfall.” Grant walked into the kitchen. “We also know how to cover our asses.”

“What insolence.” Joseph slammed his fists on the table and pulled out his gun. He was ready to attack his servant when the doors opened. The fisherman from earlier walked inside with his back straight. The guards who were supposed to execute him stood on either side. The fishermen stopped working on the statue to form a small crowd with the rest of the armed forces.

“What is the meaning of this?” Joseph asked. The two guards ran forward and disarmed him. They quickly restrained his arms.

“You have been a horrible leader.” The fisherman sat in Joseph’s chair. “Consider this a necessary change.”

Joseph was dragged outside where the entire village was gathered. Old women spat on him. The army who supported him joined the hateful chants. He was brought before his statue which was now a mess of concrete and shot. His body was tossed into the waves. The fisherman from earlier walked to the place where he was shot.

“For far too long we’ve been oppressed.” He shouted, and the thunder emphasized his words. “Consider me a just and righteous ruler, President of the Seas Christopher.”

Grant and Helga were hiding in the kitchen and quickly drafted into the new regime. The President of the Seas lasted for a year before being deposed. In that timeframe, Commander of Commanders Joseph was forgotten except for his hideous statue that he died trying to build. In a way, it did secure his legacy.

r/AstroRideWrites