The Mechanics of Peace

Chapter 1 - The Headline

by David "Lord Davidian", posted on April 17th, 2001

Prologue - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 -
Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8

       The unforgiving heat radiating from the mid-day sun beat down on the unassuming citizens of Copperville as they went about their daily doings. Meanwhile, a spritely, wide-eyed young lad of fifteen (whom most everyone knew simply as 'Chappy') stood patiently on the corner of Miner and Smelter Streets -- aptly named because the sprawling city of Copperville was, after all, built on the copper ore trade as much as on the blood and sweat of the tireless individuals (Dwarves mostly) who worked with it.
The various retail shops, industrial buildings and trade centers as well as the crowded streets clearly identified this section as the heart of the city. This was an obvious spot for Chappy to peddle the stack of newspapers held securely under his left arm. Perspiration already began to form on his forehead as the ambitious young lad savored one last bite of an apple he had 'procured' from a fruit vendor earlier in the day. His belly as satisifed as it was going to be, Chappy tossed the core of the apple into a nearby alley where a sickly-looking rat eagerly awaited it's noon-time meal.

       A drop of the collecting perspiration fell from Chappy's brow and stung his left eye. He removed his frayed grey twill cap and, in a huff of frustration, wiped his forehead and brow with an equally frayed handkerchief that he withdrew from his back pants pocket. It was going to be a long, hot day for sure, but that didn't faze the determined young Chappy in the least.

       "HEAR YE! HEAR YE! READ ABOUT IT HERE! OUR BELOVED MAYOR, LAWRENCE GRISKILL, DISCOVERED DEAD LATE LAST NIGHT! READ IT HERE FIRST!" , hollered Chappy while boldly holding up a copy of the Copperville Confidential's noon edition in his right hand. He turned from side to side like a revolving billboard so that the front page could be easily seen by passers-by.

       Out of the corner of one eye, Chappy noticed a large black carriage approaching down Smelter Street, slowing as it neared him. The big scarlet-colored stenoscripted 'V' boldly displayed on the right door panel clearly identified this carriage as being from the fleet of 'Victor's Luxury Taxis'. Chappy darted excitedly up to the carriage taxi and peered into the round opening above the door pannel. "Paper mister? Only two coins will get ya all the news ya need," he said confidently before flashing his best smile.

       "Sure thing kid," replied the mysterious man in the carriage. No wait! Not a man...a male Dwarf! Immaculately dressed and groomed as well?!? As if that wasn't odd enough, Chappy blinked in astonishment to see a beautiful young blonde woman resting her head on the gentleman Dwarf's broad shoulder. The only thing that wasn't unusual about the scene was the half-smoked cigar clenched between the Dwarf's polished teeth; it was common knowledge that Dwarves very much enjoyed tobacco, especially cigars.

       Chappy suddenly realized something...he had seen this Dwarf before, but where...? Chappy just stood their in disbelief, while also trying to place the face of the mysterious Dwarf. Meanwhile, the boy's customer dug into the breast pocket of his black, velvet-lined suit jacket and fished out two coins.

       "Yes! Now I remember!" Chappy thought to himself, "Mr. Thundersmith, that's his name...Mr. Gangril Thundersmith! Wealthy owner of the very sucessful Thundersmith Copper Exchange". Relieved that the mysterious Dwarf now had a name, Chappy was now able to focus on the fact that Mr. Gangril Thundersmith was clearing his throat to get his attention. "Oh...sorry Mr. Thundersmith. Must be the heat. Gets to ya after awhile, ya know?" Chappy said, followed by yet another charming smile. It was the best excuse he could come up with under the circumstances. Gangril eyed the inexperienced liar suspiciously and handed him the coins without a word. "Um...thank you, Mr. Thundersmith...and good day to you sir" Chappy uttered weakly before handing
Gangril his paper and sprinting back to his selling spot, feeling quite embarassed now.

       Gangril now devoted his full attention to the headline emblazoned on the front page of the paper. A broad grin formed on his face as scanned the words. He then nudged his beautiful blonde companion awake. "Hey my dear, listen to this", Gangril began; his cigar still firmly clenched between his polished teeth "COPPERVILLE'S CITIZENS MOURN DEATH OF THEIR BELOVED MAYOR!". He then continued on with the main story, "At approximately 9:45 p.m. yesterday evening, the body of honorable Mayor Lawrence Griskill was discovered dead in his downtown office. The person responsible for the discovery was the mayor's
secretary of three years, Ms. Angelica Goodwyn." The now delighted Gangril paused briefly, "Look my dear, you're in the paper...hahaha." Angelica just flashed a quick smile as she tried to stay awake. The time she spent at the police station last night answering questions clearly took its toll on the young woman.

       Gangril skiped down a few paragraphs and continued to read allowed, "The local coroner pronounced the body officially dead at 10:37 p.m. The cause of death was found to be massive heart failure and there is no suspiscion of foul play at this time. A private funeral service will be held at St. Celestine Church on Friday, August 14th at 11:00 a.m. His honor will be missed by all citizens of Copperville." Gandril couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably "Yeah, I miss the poor bugger already".

       "I did good, huh Gandy?" inquired Angelica affectionately, though she already knew the answer.

       "Yes you did my dear. I believe this was your best job yet. No one suspects a thing."

       "I just hope it will be worth the risk. I never killed a public official before, let alone the Mayor."

       "Not to worry. Soon we will own this whole damned city!"

       A sudden urge came over the now gleeful Gandril and he dug into the breast pocket of his velvet-lined black suit jacket again to fish out a few more coins."Hey kid!" he shouted towards Chappy, who's back was now facing the carriage.

       The nervous lad turned around to face the direction of the voice. "Ya...yes sir, Mr. Thundersmith?" he stammered, thinking he now must surely be in trouble for soo rudely staring just minutes ago.

       "Come here!" Gandril insisted, "I forgot to give you something."

       Chappy cautiously approached the carriage taxi and gulped hard. "I am truly sorry for staring at you and the lovely misses, Mr. Thundersmith", he admitted sincerely; eyeing each passenger in turn. "It was not at all appropriate and I..."

       "Never mind that my boy! Here take this." Gandril grabbed the nervous lad's hand and slapped the coins into his now sweaty palm.

       Chappy's eyes were transfixed in awe of the coins as they glittered hypnotically in the noon day sun. "Yet another strange surprise", he thought to himself. The thought was justified by the simple fact that no one had ever given the poor lad something for nothing. "Wha...what is this for, sir?"

       "Simply for the glorious news you brought to me on this fine day", replied Gandril gleefully. "Now be off with you lad, I have much work to do today", he bellowed; now looking forward rather than at the boy. "Onward driver!"

       "Thank you sir!" Chappy shouted as the carriage taxi quickly pulled away. He was puzzled by what Mr. Thundersmith just said, but the coins now jingling in his pants pocket quickly made him forget.