Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (Justice Arc) (52/61)
Ready for the final ten chapters of this Epic? Here we go! ;)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Justice Arc) (52/61)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Ollie/Dinah, Clark/Bruce, Dick, Roy, Melody, Barbara Gordon, Lex/Jamie, Adelaide Simmons, Hal/Steve/Diana, Cook, Alfred, Carol Ferris
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. Clark begins training under the Bat and secrets are uncovered as the Abolitionist Movement makes rapid progress with old and new methods. Can Freedom outrace rumors of War as the Galactic Empire rushes headlong to a new future?
The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Ollie and Dinah’s wedding day turns out to be special indeed. ;)
Date Of Completion (First Draft): October 28, 2011
Date Of Posting: January 15, 2013
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 2540
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The magnificent story cover is by the wonderfully-talented ctbn60. Thanks so much, luv! :)
When wedding bells ring,
We all sing
With joy as the day
Shines
As our hearts
Soar
And we welcome
So much more
As clouds
Drift
Across blue skies.
Listen to the
Wedding bells,
Listen to the
Wedding bells,
Listen to the
Wedding bells
Ring.
Pat Crandall
"Wedding Bells"
RCA Records
1957 C.E.
LII
WEDDING BELLS!!! ;)
“Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Queen!”
Sunlight sparkled through the strained-glass windows as Dinah and Ollie turned to face their guests in the church with big smiles. Ollie was dressed in white with a yellow carnation in his lapel and Dinah was resplendent in a white satin gown with a train, her skirt and bodice beaded with tiny diamonds, a sapphire-topaz-and-emerald necklace sparkling at her throat. A matching tiara was on her head with a filmy veil attached.
After the receiving line, they went outside and the crowds cheered, cameras whirred and the newlyweds waved and disappeared into the limousine, followed by the maid of honor and best man. The others in the wedding party went to other limousines and followed.
In the second limousine, Clark and Bruce settled in with Dick, Roy, Melody and Barbara. Eyebrows had been raised at the inclusion of slaves in the wedding party, but Dinah and Ollie had broken custom on this point. They were willing to stick to convention for most of their High Society wedding but refused to shunt their slaves off into a corner. The roles of flower girls and ringbearers were filled by the children albeit a little older than most in that position, but they were all having too much fun to care.
The real scandal was the inclusion of a pleasure slave as an usher. Clark had been matched with Kathy, who proudly came down the aisle on Clark’s arm. He wore his dark glasses and his rainbow manacles and collar sparkled in the matching stained-glass sunlight, and he walked just as proudly, ignoring disapproving stares.
Lex was amused by all the fuss and added to it by allowing Jamie to be an usher, too. A young Society woman, Adelaide Simmons, happily consented to be matched with Jamie. The blond considered herself a social rebel and welcomed the chance to make waves. She promised Dinah and Ollie that she would treat Jamie with respect and was as good as her word.
“It was all so beautiful,” Melody sighed happily.
“I agree,” said Barbara. “I really liked the color scheme. I liked the yellow, green and blue with touches of red.” She smoothed her yellow silk skirt in satisfaction.
“Yellow and green are the Queen colors, and Dinah wanted to throw in two colors for her House, though she came from a working-class background so there are no official colors.”
“Ha! And don’t think the Society swells haven’t commented on that,” Dick said.
“Mistress Dinah will put them in their place,” said Melody with a wave of her hand.
The children laughed and Clark and Bruce shared an amused look. Clark twined his fingers with Bruce. “How fancy would our wedding be?” he whispered.
“Oh, just as fancy as this one,” Bruce whispered back.
Clark grinned. He happily listened to the children’s chatter as the limousine proceeded to Queens’ Castle.
& & & & & &
Under the direction of Dinah, the wedding planners had gone all out, decorating the mansion and its grounds with ribbons and streamers. A huge yellow-and-blue tent was erected in the backyard. Swans floated on top of the pond and white-gloved freemen served hors d’oeuvres while fountains splashed with rainbow-colored water. Flowers of every color and type decorated the pillars and fences and the trellis leading to the garden. The slave staff was dressed in crisp, brand-new uniforms with Ollie’s security forces mingling and making sure that no slave was abused.
There was a veritable feast for the wedding guests: roast beef, turkey, chicken, and steak with salads of tomatoes and cucumbers, three-bean, pasta and potato. There was the old wedding staple of Swedish meatballs and exotic dishes from across the Empire: Rigellian firepeppers, Jovanan lemon jelly, Andorian vegetable medley and Saurian salad. There were three kinds of bread, assorted pickles and condiments, pumpkin soup, and bowls of luscious fruit. The seafood selection was of the best quality and variety: Maine lobster, Alaskan King Crab, Louisiana crayfish and shrimp, Chilean sea bass and Jovaran silverfish.
The dessert table was a culinary achievement: Black Forest chocolate cake, lemon cake, red velvet cake, apple pie, apple crisp, lemon pie, Key Lime pie, chocolate silk pie, chocolate and pumpkin cupcakes, Virillion sweetcake, Jovaran cherry pudding, and Rigellian sprinkle pie.
The guests were happy with the selection, though some High Society types sniffed and declared it all blasé, but they were in the minority. The majority of the guests happily filled their plates.
A renowned chamber trio played elegant music as the chatter among the guests was animated but not uncouth. Clark was amused by the civility of High Society, because he knew how often the knives came out, but it was oh-so-civilized!
Clark happily stood for the pictures that the ushers were required to be in. Dick had been allowed to go without his glasses for the ceremony and the pictures but would have to put them on for the reception. He was satisfied with the compromise.
He was sparkling now, a coltish young man who was hinting at the beauty he would become more than ever now. Bruce was wise to require the Veil for the rest of the day.
Barbara kept her eye on the ringbearers and her fellow flower girl. As the oldest of the group and the only free person, she was the perfect leader. Bruce trusted her to protect Dick and the Queen children. She took that responsibility seriously.
Clark was protected by his Master, Steve and Hal. Steve was still a little underweight by his ordeal on the Rim but he took one look at the buffet and said to Hal, “I don’t think you have to worry about my fighting weight.” Hal laughed and agreed.
Both Hal and Diana tended to hover around Steve as if they were not quite able to believe that he was back with them. Bruce, Dick and Alfred were doing the same to Clark.
It could be annoying, but it’s more heartwarming.
Clark smiled as the wedding party trooped over to the buffet. The slaves had been assured that they didn’t have to wait until the freemen had gone through. Clark picked up a plate and moved in line behind Bruce, choosing turkey, garden salad, pickles, peach slices, lobster, Rigellian firepeppers, and a slice of chocolate silk pie. He followed Bruce to the table on the dais set up for the wedding party.
They took their assigned seats, Clark a few chairs down the table from Bruce. For the moment the chairs between them were empty.
“Firepeppers, eh?” Bruce asked with a smirk.
“Hey, Dick got me hooked.”
Bruce shook his head. He had chosen steak, Jovaran lemon jelly, Andorian vegetable medley, Alsakan King Crab and a small slice of Black Forest cake. The desserts were on separate plates and the nearest waiter came by and filled their glasses with champagne.
“How nice of them to already shell the lobster and crab,” said Clark.
“Well, they didn’t want their guests struggling with nutcrackers and giant lobster and crab claws.”
“Not to mention lobster bibs,” said Clark with a smile.
Bruce laughed. “No, those are for the wharves. Which we’ll go to this summer up in Bar Harbor.”
Clark happily took a bite of his lobster as he listened to Dick chatter as the children approached the table. Alfred was assisting the kitchen staff, Cook pleased for his help once she realized that Alfred had every intention of deferring to her.
Ollie was playing the courtly gentleman as he helped Dinah fill her plate. She was having difficulty with her gown and veil as she tried to balance her plate without spilling anything on her gown.
The bride and groom approached the table as Bruce and Clark stood, Bruce helping Dinah into her chair as Clark helped Ollie with the plates.
“Thank you, my dear,” Ollie said, Clark smiling.
“Always happy to help, Lord Queen.” Clark bowed slightly. “Always a pleasure.”
Ollie smiled and Clark returned to his seat. More of the wedding party came over with laden plates to take their seats. The guests were finding their placards at the round tables, the tent keeping the sun off delicate High Society skin.
There was laughter and happiness as the meal was consumed, and then the dancing began. Bruce offered his arm to Clark and they went out to the dance area, the bride and groom taking center stage.
Back at the table, the flower girls and ringbearers tucked into their desserts. “Save room for the wedding cake,” Barbara warned.
“Oh, we’ll have room,” said Dick with a smile.
“I don’t doubt it,” Barbara said wryly.
Roy and Melody snickered as they continued eating. Dick watched Clark and Bruce dance and felt happiness rush over him.
“Can you believe it? What is this world coming to?”
A woman’s disgusted voice caught his attention. She and a gentleman were standing about five feet away, her voice loud enough to hear over the music as a band replaced the chamber trio.
“I know.” The man was equally disgusted. “No wonder the Government tried to keep this news suppressed for a long as possible.”
“It’s a disgrace!”
Curious, Dick wished that Internet access was allowed on cellphones so that he could find out what the news was. He finished his lemon pie and said, “Excuse me, ladies, I have to use the bathroom.”
“I gotta go, too,” Roy said.
Barbara nodded. There was plenty of security around so she felt that the boys would be safe.
Dick and Roy headed for the house, nodding to the staff when they met them. Inside the mansion, all was quiet.
“I want to check your computer,” Dick said after they had used the bathroom.
“Sure.” Roy typed in his password and the default page came on. He had it on The Star City Sentinel’s website. He gasped as he saw the headlines.
“Oh, my gosh, Dick!”
Dick was grinning widely. “Let’s go tell the others!”
Roy nodded and they dashed out of the house together. Reaching the dais, their giddy faces caused Barbara to dryly remark, “Did you guys stop at the dessert table on your way back?”
“Even better! We checked my computer,” said Roy.
“Oh?”
“Barb, they passed the new Slave Protection Law!” said Dick, restraining himself from performing a somersault.
Barbara and Melody’s eyes lit up. “When?” Barbara demanded.
“Early this morning. The Senate took the final vote around 3 A.M.”
“They why wasn’t it all over this news this morning?”
“The Government tried to keep it quiet as long as possible.”
Disgusted, Barbara said, “Typical.”
“Want to get the details on the computer?” Roy asked.
“No need.” Barbara whipped out her cellphone with a smug expression. “We can see it here.”
“Internet access isn’t allowed on cellphones.” Roy frowned.
“There’s always ways to get around things,” she said loftily. “But don’t tell anyone.”
The three slave children nodded and they crowded around Barbara.
The headlines for The Gotham Gazette trumpeted the news as reported by Vicki Vale:
& & & & & &
Dateline: Washington, D.C.
After hours of heated debate, the U.S. Senate finally brought the new Slave Protection Law Bill to a vote, superseding the old Laws. The vote was close, 28-22, and was contentious. Leading Abolitionist Senator Lana Lang, Democrat from Kansas, was assaulted by Senator Preston Brooks of South Carolina. Other senators stepped in and protected Senator Lang.
& & & & & &
“Wow, Ms. Lang was attacked!” said Dick.
“That’s awful.” Melody shook her head.
“Terrible,” Barbara agreed. “Good thing she had help.”
“What else does it say?” Roy asked.
“Hmm, not much else. I’d say reactions are forthcoming when people start learning about this.”
“Some couple around here knew about it,” said Dick.
“Were they approving?”
“Anything but.”
Barbara frowned. “I won’t even bother to read the comments on this article. There will be happy people and viciously unhappy people.”
“No kidding.” Roy glanced out at the dance area. “I wonder how many people here will be happy about this.”
“Some will.” Dick sounded confident.
“Let’s tell our bride and groom,” Melody suggested.
As if on cue, Ollie and Dinah returned to the dais, followed by Clark, Bruce, Steve, Diana and Hal.
“What’s up?” Ollie asked.
Barbara pocketed her cellphone. “Dick and Roy told us that the Slave Protection Law passed!”
“What? When?” came several voices.
“Early this morning,” Dick said and proceeded to give details.
The adults were growing more excited and Dinah said, “That’s great, kids.” She looked toward the bandstand. “Let’s make it official, shall we?” She winked at Ollie and marched to the bandstand, taking the microphone from the lead singer and saying, “Beloved guests, this is truly a day to rejoice! Not only are Ollie and I married today, but the Slave Protection Law has been passed!” A ripple went through the crowd, mostly excited but there were exclamations of outrage, too. Dick had to admit that Dinah had chutzpah, as Pop Haly would say.
“That’s great!” said Steve. He picked up his champagne glass. “A toast to Freedom!”
“To Freedom!”
Dick, Roy, Melody and Barbara toasted with ginger ale but the sentiment was the same. Dick noticed some people were pointedly not taking part in the toast but that was their problem. Progress could not be stopped, and while Dick might never see ultimate Freedom in his lifetime, there would be steps forward that would be made.
“Les, let’s have some celebration music!” Dinah said.
The bandleader nodded and a sparkly, jaunty tune from the late twenty-first century got the guests moving. Dinah beckoned to Ollie and he enthusiastically joined her. Clark and Bruce went out to the dance area while Steve and Diana started to whirl. Hal had been chatting up Carol Ferris, CEO of aviation’s Ferris Industries, so they went out to the dance area with alacrity.
Those who were displeased at the news either went to the buffet table or sat at their tables. Dick spotted the couple he had overheard sitting at a table with their arms crossed and eyebrows knitted in a frown. He almost laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Barbara asked as they danced.
“Oh, just thinking how progress is going to steamroll some people.”
“You think the Abolitionist Movement is on a roll?”
“Don’t you? This is big, Barbara.”
“I know, but there’s going to be backlash.”
“There’s always going to be that.”
“True.”
When they met up with Roy and Melody, they switched partners and danced away.
“What are you smiling at?” asked Roy.
“Oh, it’s just Barbara. She’s always so practical. She needs to learn to enjoy the moment.”
“Ah, she’s seeing backlash?”
“Exactly.” Dick nodded. “You and I know it’s coming, but why not enjoy the moment?”
“You don’t have to convince me.” Roy bent Dick back with a wink. “We’re going to enjoy the day.”
Dick laughed and bounced back up. “You bet!”
The boys happily danced as the band started a new song.
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Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Justice Arc) (52/61)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Ollie/Dinah, Clark/Bruce, Dick, Roy, Melody, Barbara Gordon, Lex/Jamie, Adelaide Simmons, Hal/Steve/Diana, Cook, Alfred, Carol Ferris
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. Clark begins training under the Bat and secrets are uncovered as the Abolitionist Movement makes rapid progress with old and new methods. Can Freedom outrace rumors of War as the Galactic Empire rushes headlong to a new future?
The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Ollie and Dinah’s wedding day turns out to be special indeed. ;)
Date Of Completion (First Draft): October 28, 2011
Date Of Posting: January 15, 2013
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 2540
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The magnificent story cover is by the wonderfully-talented ctbn60. Thanks so much, luv! :)
When wedding bells ring,
We all sing
With joy as the day
Shines
As our hearts
Soar
And we welcome
So much more
As clouds
Drift
Across blue skies.
Listen to the
Wedding bells,
Listen to the
Wedding bells,
Listen to the
Wedding bells
Ring.
Pat Crandall
"Wedding Bells"
RCA Records
1957 C.E.
LII
WEDDING BELLS!!! ;)
“Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Queen!”
Sunlight sparkled through the strained-glass windows as Dinah and Ollie turned to face their guests in the church with big smiles. Ollie was dressed in white with a yellow carnation in his lapel and Dinah was resplendent in a white satin gown with a train, her skirt and bodice beaded with tiny diamonds, a sapphire-topaz-and-emerald necklace sparkling at her throat. A matching tiara was on her head with a filmy veil attached.
After the receiving line, they went outside and the crowds cheered, cameras whirred and the newlyweds waved and disappeared into the limousine, followed by the maid of honor and best man. The others in the wedding party went to other limousines and followed.
In the second limousine, Clark and Bruce settled in with Dick, Roy, Melody and Barbara. Eyebrows had been raised at the inclusion of slaves in the wedding party, but Dinah and Ollie had broken custom on this point. They were willing to stick to convention for most of their High Society wedding but refused to shunt their slaves off into a corner. The roles of flower girls and ringbearers were filled by the children albeit a little older than most in that position, but they were all having too much fun to care.
The real scandal was the inclusion of a pleasure slave as an usher. Clark had been matched with Kathy, who proudly came down the aisle on Clark’s arm. He wore his dark glasses and his rainbow manacles and collar sparkled in the matching stained-glass sunlight, and he walked just as proudly, ignoring disapproving stares.
Lex was amused by all the fuss and added to it by allowing Jamie to be an usher, too. A young Society woman, Adelaide Simmons, happily consented to be matched with Jamie. The blond considered herself a social rebel and welcomed the chance to make waves. She promised Dinah and Ollie that she would treat Jamie with respect and was as good as her word.
“It was all so beautiful,” Melody sighed happily.
“I agree,” said Barbara. “I really liked the color scheme. I liked the yellow, green and blue with touches of red.” She smoothed her yellow silk skirt in satisfaction.
“Yellow and green are the Queen colors, and Dinah wanted to throw in two colors for her House, though she came from a working-class background so there are no official colors.”
“Ha! And don’t think the Society swells haven’t commented on that,” Dick said.
“Mistress Dinah will put them in their place,” said Melody with a wave of her hand.
The children laughed and Clark and Bruce shared an amused look. Clark twined his fingers with Bruce. “How fancy would our wedding be?” he whispered.
“Oh, just as fancy as this one,” Bruce whispered back.
Clark grinned. He happily listened to the children’s chatter as the limousine proceeded to Queens’ Castle.
& & & & & &
Under the direction of Dinah, the wedding planners had gone all out, decorating the mansion and its grounds with ribbons and streamers. A huge yellow-and-blue tent was erected in the backyard. Swans floated on top of the pond and white-gloved freemen served hors d’oeuvres while fountains splashed with rainbow-colored water. Flowers of every color and type decorated the pillars and fences and the trellis leading to the garden. The slave staff was dressed in crisp, brand-new uniforms with Ollie’s security forces mingling and making sure that no slave was abused.
There was a veritable feast for the wedding guests: roast beef, turkey, chicken, and steak with salads of tomatoes and cucumbers, three-bean, pasta and potato. There was the old wedding staple of Swedish meatballs and exotic dishes from across the Empire: Rigellian firepeppers, Jovanan lemon jelly, Andorian vegetable medley and Saurian salad. There were three kinds of bread, assorted pickles and condiments, pumpkin soup, and bowls of luscious fruit. The seafood selection was of the best quality and variety: Maine lobster, Alaskan King Crab, Louisiana crayfish and shrimp, Chilean sea bass and Jovaran silverfish.
The dessert table was a culinary achievement: Black Forest chocolate cake, lemon cake, red velvet cake, apple pie, apple crisp, lemon pie, Key Lime pie, chocolate silk pie, chocolate and pumpkin cupcakes, Virillion sweetcake, Jovaran cherry pudding, and Rigellian sprinkle pie.
The guests were happy with the selection, though some High Society types sniffed and declared it all blasé, but they were in the minority. The majority of the guests happily filled their plates.
A renowned chamber trio played elegant music as the chatter among the guests was animated but not uncouth. Clark was amused by the civility of High Society, because he knew how often the knives came out, but it was oh-so-civilized!
Clark happily stood for the pictures that the ushers were required to be in. Dick had been allowed to go without his glasses for the ceremony and the pictures but would have to put them on for the reception. He was satisfied with the compromise.
He was sparkling now, a coltish young man who was hinting at the beauty he would become more than ever now. Bruce was wise to require the Veil for the rest of the day.
Barbara kept her eye on the ringbearers and her fellow flower girl. As the oldest of the group and the only free person, she was the perfect leader. Bruce trusted her to protect Dick and the Queen children. She took that responsibility seriously.
Clark was protected by his Master, Steve and Hal. Steve was still a little underweight by his ordeal on the Rim but he took one look at the buffet and said to Hal, “I don’t think you have to worry about my fighting weight.” Hal laughed and agreed.
Both Hal and Diana tended to hover around Steve as if they were not quite able to believe that he was back with them. Bruce, Dick and Alfred were doing the same to Clark.
It could be annoying, but it’s more heartwarming.
Clark smiled as the wedding party trooped over to the buffet. The slaves had been assured that they didn’t have to wait until the freemen had gone through. Clark picked up a plate and moved in line behind Bruce, choosing turkey, garden salad, pickles, peach slices, lobster, Rigellian firepeppers, and a slice of chocolate silk pie. He followed Bruce to the table on the dais set up for the wedding party.
They took their assigned seats, Clark a few chairs down the table from Bruce. For the moment the chairs between them were empty.
“Firepeppers, eh?” Bruce asked with a smirk.
“Hey, Dick got me hooked.”
Bruce shook his head. He had chosen steak, Jovaran lemon jelly, Andorian vegetable medley, Alsakan King Crab and a small slice of Black Forest cake. The desserts were on separate plates and the nearest waiter came by and filled their glasses with champagne.
“How nice of them to already shell the lobster and crab,” said Clark.
“Well, they didn’t want their guests struggling with nutcrackers and giant lobster and crab claws.”
“Not to mention lobster bibs,” said Clark with a smile.
Bruce laughed. “No, those are for the wharves. Which we’ll go to this summer up in Bar Harbor.”
Clark happily took a bite of his lobster as he listened to Dick chatter as the children approached the table. Alfred was assisting the kitchen staff, Cook pleased for his help once she realized that Alfred had every intention of deferring to her.
Ollie was playing the courtly gentleman as he helped Dinah fill her plate. She was having difficulty with her gown and veil as she tried to balance her plate without spilling anything on her gown.
The bride and groom approached the table as Bruce and Clark stood, Bruce helping Dinah into her chair as Clark helped Ollie with the plates.
“Thank you, my dear,” Ollie said, Clark smiling.
“Always happy to help, Lord Queen.” Clark bowed slightly. “Always a pleasure.”
Ollie smiled and Clark returned to his seat. More of the wedding party came over with laden plates to take their seats. The guests were finding their placards at the round tables, the tent keeping the sun off delicate High Society skin.
There was laughter and happiness as the meal was consumed, and then the dancing began. Bruce offered his arm to Clark and they went out to the dance area, the bride and groom taking center stage.
Back at the table, the flower girls and ringbearers tucked into their desserts. “Save room for the wedding cake,” Barbara warned.
“Oh, we’ll have room,” said Dick with a smile.
“I don’t doubt it,” Barbara said wryly.
Roy and Melody snickered as they continued eating. Dick watched Clark and Bruce dance and felt happiness rush over him.
“Can you believe it? What is this world coming to?”
A woman’s disgusted voice caught his attention. She and a gentleman were standing about five feet away, her voice loud enough to hear over the music as a band replaced the chamber trio.
“I know.” The man was equally disgusted. “No wonder the Government tried to keep this news suppressed for a long as possible.”
“It’s a disgrace!”
Curious, Dick wished that Internet access was allowed on cellphones so that he could find out what the news was. He finished his lemon pie and said, “Excuse me, ladies, I have to use the bathroom.”
“I gotta go, too,” Roy said.
Barbara nodded. There was plenty of security around so she felt that the boys would be safe.
Dick and Roy headed for the house, nodding to the staff when they met them. Inside the mansion, all was quiet.
“I want to check your computer,” Dick said after they had used the bathroom.
“Sure.” Roy typed in his password and the default page came on. He had it on The Star City Sentinel’s website. He gasped as he saw the headlines.
“Oh, my gosh, Dick!”
Dick was grinning widely. “Let’s go tell the others!”
Roy nodded and they dashed out of the house together. Reaching the dais, their giddy faces caused Barbara to dryly remark, “Did you guys stop at the dessert table on your way back?”
“Even better! We checked my computer,” said Roy.
“Oh?”
“Barb, they passed the new Slave Protection Law!” said Dick, restraining himself from performing a somersault.
Barbara and Melody’s eyes lit up. “When?” Barbara demanded.
“Early this morning. The Senate took the final vote around 3 A.M.”
“They why wasn’t it all over this news this morning?”
“The Government tried to keep it quiet as long as possible.”
Disgusted, Barbara said, “Typical.”
“Want to get the details on the computer?” Roy asked.
“No need.” Barbara whipped out her cellphone with a smug expression. “We can see it here.”
“Internet access isn’t allowed on cellphones.” Roy frowned.
“There’s always ways to get around things,” she said loftily. “But don’t tell anyone.”
The three slave children nodded and they crowded around Barbara.
The headlines for The Gotham Gazette trumpeted the news as reported by Vicki Vale:
& & & & & &
Dateline: Washington, D.C.
After hours of heated debate, the U.S. Senate finally brought the new Slave Protection Law Bill to a vote, superseding the old Laws. The vote was close, 28-22, and was contentious. Leading Abolitionist Senator Lana Lang, Democrat from Kansas, was assaulted by Senator Preston Brooks of South Carolina. Other senators stepped in and protected Senator Lang.
& & & & & &
“Wow, Ms. Lang was attacked!” said Dick.
“That’s awful.” Melody shook her head.
“Terrible,” Barbara agreed. “Good thing she had help.”
“What else does it say?” Roy asked.
“Hmm, not much else. I’d say reactions are forthcoming when people start learning about this.”
“Some couple around here knew about it,” said Dick.
“Were they approving?”
“Anything but.”
Barbara frowned. “I won’t even bother to read the comments on this article. There will be happy people and viciously unhappy people.”
“No kidding.” Roy glanced out at the dance area. “I wonder how many people here will be happy about this.”
“Some will.” Dick sounded confident.
“Let’s tell our bride and groom,” Melody suggested.
As if on cue, Ollie and Dinah returned to the dais, followed by Clark, Bruce, Steve, Diana and Hal.
“What’s up?” Ollie asked.
Barbara pocketed her cellphone. “Dick and Roy told us that the Slave Protection Law passed!”
“What? When?” came several voices.
“Early this morning,” Dick said and proceeded to give details.
The adults were growing more excited and Dinah said, “That’s great, kids.” She looked toward the bandstand. “Let’s make it official, shall we?” She winked at Ollie and marched to the bandstand, taking the microphone from the lead singer and saying, “Beloved guests, this is truly a day to rejoice! Not only are Ollie and I married today, but the Slave Protection Law has been passed!” A ripple went through the crowd, mostly excited but there were exclamations of outrage, too. Dick had to admit that Dinah had chutzpah, as Pop Haly would say.
“That’s great!” said Steve. He picked up his champagne glass. “A toast to Freedom!”
“To Freedom!”
Dick, Roy, Melody and Barbara toasted with ginger ale but the sentiment was the same. Dick noticed some people were pointedly not taking part in the toast but that was their problem. Progress could not be stopped, and while Dick might never see ultimate Freedom in his lifetime, there would be steps forward that would be made.
“Les, let’s have some celebration music!” Dinah said.
The bandleader nodded and a sparkly, jaunty tune from the late twenty-first century got the guests moving. Dinah beckoned to Ollie and he enthusiastically joined her. Clark and Bruce went out to the dance area while Steve and Diana started to whirl. Hal had been chatting up Carol Ferris, CEO of aviation’s Ferris Industries, so they went out to the dance area with alacrity.
Those who were displeased at the news either went to the buffet table or sat at their tables. Dick spotted the couple he had overheard sitting at a table with their arms crossed and eyebrows knitted in a frown. He almost laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Barbara asked as they danced.
“Oh, just thinking how progress is going to steamroll some people.”
“You think the Abolitionist Movement is on a roll?”
“Don’t you? This is big, Barbara.”
“I know, but there’s going to be backlash.”
“There’s always going to be that.”
“True.”
When they met up with Roy and Melody, they switched partners and danced away.
“What are you smiling at?” asked Roy.
“Oh, it’s just Barbara. She’s always so practical. She needs to learn to enjoy the moment.”
“Ah, she’s seeing backlash?”
“Exactly.” Dick nodded. “You and I know it’s coming, but why not enjoy the moment?”
“You don’t have to convince me.” Roy bent Dick back with a wink. “We’re going to enjoy the day.”
Dick laughed and bounced back up. “You bet!”
The boys happily danced as the band started a new song.
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