[ 2 ] we must unite with the masses

[mostpopulous]

[Irritated country is irritated. Time to pick up the phone and tell everyone about it!]

I refuse to recognize right of dirty capitalist government to steal sweat and blood. This glorious communist nation will not sink so low, aru!

People of Mayfield! I have found better purpose for papers of oppressors, aru. What of you?

[Some time later, China

Comments

[scentofbauhinia]

[just

watching

from a safe distance

well gee this is kind of embarrassing.]

[mostpopulous]

[turns

around]

Hong Kong!

[scentofbauhinia]

[waving

a bit

god you really were a kook in the fifties]

...What are you doing?

[He probably shouldn't have asked.]

[mostpopulous]

[what is kook that means crazy-awesome right

Beckoningggg]

Spreading word, aru! You help, yes?

[scentofbauhinia]

[Grabbing the nearest form and skim reading amongst all the cute rabies.]

...These rates are very steep. Not very good for encouraging investment.

It would probably have been less effort if you'd let me fill these out.

[Tiny capitalist Administrative Region is used to handling this stuff.]

[mostpopulous]

Is America, not know efficiency if bit him on big meddling nose. What you expect, aru?

[stuffs a couple papers into passing mailbox]

Perhaps, but is not the point. Must take stand and spread word, aru.

[scentofbauhinia]

I'll come with you.

But I shouldn't post any of these because that would be going against my autonomous government.

[mostpopulous]

Oh, am giving you that in future?

[scentofbauhinia]

"One country, two systems." One of your bosses' idea.

I can mostly make my own decisions in everything except defence and foreign affairs.

[He's leaving out that this has only been guaranteed for fifty years and nobody has publically stated what will happen after that...]

[mostpopulous]

[Thinks about that as he sketches a chibi Japan being sat on by a panda]

Hmm....well, if boss say so, then must be good idea. Hopefully better than hundred flowers, aru. Ah, is working well for you?

[scentofbauhinia]

[Sensing the news might not have been very welcome, he's tilting his head to look at what he's doing, before studying his own paper a moment and starting to draw too, in an effort to please China.

It's Japan being kicked over by a horse, landing in a conveniently located body of water, then being punted through the air by a dolphin, hitting the side of a skyscraper and slowlyyy sliding down it into a heap on the ground. He's not quite as skilled at drawing, but he's good at actions sequences.]

I helped you host the Olympics.

[mostpopulous]

[Is of course looking over at what you're doing because he's incredibly nosy like that. Normally he would be picking out every little thing wrong with the drawing but he's liking the subject matter wayyyy too much right now. Sob, Japan, why did you have to become such a dick. Also have a arm around your shoulder by way of silent praise.]

Ah, Olympics! Have not played in those games since '52, aru....would have gone again this year back home if stupid committee hadn't violated stupid charter. So touchy about Taiwan, not even follow own stupid rules. Not make sense, aru!

[M-Moodswing what. And no, it's not just because he's remembering how terrible he did at the 1952 games. Even if it was absolutely abysmal. The arm drops back to his sideeee so emo.]

[scentofbauhinia]

[Blink blink. So PMS-y bro-dad. Handing over the drawing once it's finished.]

You came top of the medals table. 51 golds.

Also they're worried that nobody else will ever be able to match your opening ceremony.

[mostpopulous]

[ADMIRES, seems cheered up]

Was that good, eh? Never let be said I too old to.....how you say, cut the rug?

[scentofbauhinia]

...No one really says that anymore.

[Nobody with any self-respect... Who isn't old.]

[mostpopulous]

Not after I am winning all their medals, are not!

[deliberate misunderstanding = just one more amazingly useful diplomatic strategy]

Ahhh, future is not sounding so bad. Maybe something look forward to, aru.