“Did you know that when that statute was written, the traditional way to settle the dispute was a duel.”
“Both men armed with a pistol, they stand back to back. Once they take ten paces outwards they turn and fire. The first to fire was often the winner of the dispute.”
“The question isn’t if you have the guts to pull the trigger. Any cold hearted killer could end a life. The real challenge comes from being able to do so when your own mortality is lorded over you.”
“Can you walk those ten paces and keep calm enough to ensure you walk out alive?”
“Frankly, Narcissa? I’m not sure you can.”
“You see, this whole time? This little song and dance you’ve put me through? In my eyes, you and I have been taking our paces since the very beginning. With every last attempt on my reputation, every attack on my character? They were nothing more than footprints as we wandered towards the end of our ordeal.”
“At first, you subpoenaed me. Loaded the pistol at your side and began your stride towards the end. Yet, I chose to fight back, and I loaded a sidearm of my own.”
Step.
Step.
“You broadcast propaganda to the masses, forcing them to view me as nothing more than an incompetent, malicious monster. It was brutal, it was degrading… Yet as my heart pounded in my chest and the onlookers roared, I refused to give into the nerves.”
Step.
Step.
“I was dragged in front of the courts, forced to watch as you tore me down before their very eyes, writing my death sentence with venomous words and vile accusations. You wanted nothing more than for me to give in, to simply take the verdict on the chest. If I weren’t a better man that judge’s gavel would have slammed the podium like a gun shot.”
“I would have met my demise.”
Step.
Step.
“But I didn’t, did I? Because no matter how far I walk into hell, no matter how horrible the consequences, I will defy you to my last breath. And that scares you, doesn’t it, Narcissa? You rule the masses with an iron fist because you can intimidate, manipulate, and coerce your way into power. In any other duel? Your opponent’s will would have been crushed, their life soon forfeit.”
Step.
Step.
“Yet all the pressure only fills me with determination. I will walk forwards into oblivion, I will stare death in the face because I want to, but because I need to. Because Arcadia needs a savior, someone willing to right its wrongs! For so long I had failed to make good on my promise of a brighter tomorrow.”
“And with my pistol by my side, I plan to finally make that promise a reality.”
“Because I don’t fear the end, Narcissa. I don’t fear opposition like you do. So as these final steps echo through the air, as my spirit feels you with dread. Just know. I’m going to be the one to put you down.”
Step.
Step.
Bang!
“And I’m going to do it by the book.”