MAYOR ELLERBY: Alright now, alright. Everyone file in, come on, there are plenty of seats up front.
A group of bedraggled reporters and protestors, some with drooping signs, file into city hall and take their seats. They look around at each other for clues, but no one seems to know what is going on. Police in riot gear line the walls. Mayor Ellerby stands at a podium on a stage, councilmembers are seated behind the mayor.
MAYOR ELLERBY: Settle down please, settle down.
Waits for the crowd to quiet down.
The last few days have been heartbreaking for us all. They have tested this great town of Clayburn as well as our nation. I know many of you think that the city council and I have been slow to act.
Head nods and murmurs of agreement from the crowd.
Some of you may even think that we don’t care. That we’re just standing by, wringing our hands and begging for peace.
Some shouts and raising of fists from the crowd. Ellerby waits for this to subside.
I’m here today to tell you, no more! We will no longer stand by and watch. We have heard you. We hear you. You want fairness.
Yeah!
You want justice.
Yeah!
You want equality.
Yeah!
Well, that just isn’t possible.
Gasps and looks of confusion from the crowd. Ellerby pauses to look around the room before continuing.
This has gone on for too long, for hundreds of years! We simply cannot unravel it. So we, the council and I, have decided to roll out a sweeping set of changes starting with a new town slogan that I think we can all get behind. Councilman Peters if you’d please.
Councilman Peters, with a proud look on his face, helps to unfurl a banner on the wall behind the mayor. Peters stands next to it beaming.
MAYOR ELLERBY: Unfairness, Inequality, and Injustice for all! Come on, say it with me Unfairness, Inequality, and Injustice for all!
The crowd is silent.
No? No one?
Silence, angry looks from the crowd.
Don’t you see this is the only way! We can’t undo what’s already been done. We can’t take our knee off the necks of those that have been abused in the past. But in the future, we can be sure to put our knee on the necks of everyone!
Ellerby’s voice builds with excitement.
We have stayed up all night thinking about what to do. We plan to increase police presence in all neighborhoods, to frequently stop and frisk all citizens! We will randomly stop all cars!
The crowd grows angry, some shouting in defiance.
Quiet, I say, Quiet. Anger is now a punishable offense. As is protesting and fist-raising.
The crowd continues to shout.
Please citizens! Sit down, sit down!
Ellerby nods at the officers around the room who raise their riot shields and batons. The crowd sits down.
This is what is best. Trust us, we know what is best for you. No, Ms. Lund, we will not be taking questions. Now, Pastor Fry will lead us in prayer. After the prayer, cookies and juice will be served in the atrium. We have posters on hand with the new town slogan – Unfairness, Inequality, and Injustice for all! – that you can take with you to display in your homes. We are asking you to spread the word, educate your families. This is a new day in Clayburn and we are so glad all of you could be here to share it with us. Father if you will . . .
Pastor Fry comes up to the podium and begins praying. The crowd sits in stunned disbelief.
Author’s Note: Did you notice the slogan “Unfairness, Inequality, and Injustice” actually makes no sense? Good, it’s not supposed to. It does, however, allude to the real-world phenomenon of living, breathing, thinking, human beings who would rather lose their own rights than to see others gain those same rights. Oh, and also, it alludes to governmental laziness and the inability to affect lasting change. But you knew that right?
The World We Live In Now 
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