Hesperia
Mr. Capitalism
[Accompanied by an upbeat television news tune, a computer generated turning globe appears, which ends up zooming in to Hajr, before panning out to the logo, a stylized golden silhouette of the Dome of the Rock, with calligraphy of the Uroduah word for "world," Al Alam, beneath it. The cameras show a studio with a glass designer desk being lit up in the spotlight, at which sits a young-looking woman in her early thirties, whose defining features are the slight tint of her skin, her coal-black, shoulder-length curls, draped in a knot over her shoulder, and her Northern-style women's suit and make-up, flaunting her femininity in a way slightly shocking to the average conservative Hajri.]
"Good evening, live from Sidra, Hajr, this is Al Alam. Bringing you the global news headlines, I'm Shahd Haddadi.
"Election date announced by the Government; Foreign Minister speaks out on Vangalan nuclear energy; Engellexic diplomatic style causes row in Hajr."
[A series of images accompanies the list: a government spokesman at an official press conference; Vangalan engineers and scientists working at an experimental nuclear reactor; a crowd of outraged demonstrators in the streets of a Hajri city.]
"The Hajri Government today announced the date on which the nation's first fully democratic elections will take place. At a government press conference convened in Al A'raf's Hadr Palace, the election date was set at April 19. Candidates for the election have been able to register since yesterday. A government spokesman, replying to questions about the intent of the opposition parties to reorganize, assured the assembled press that the requirement that candidates be independent of party lists will continue. He did not reply to any questions from reporters asking if the Government would suppress party activity."
[As Haddadi speaks, Al Alam broadcasts some footage from the press conference, showing the spokesman replying mechanically to questions from the press. It is clear that this is a strictly orchestrated meeting with little room for independent journalism.]
"The Hajri Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Ali ibn Maktoum al-Ma'muni, today responded to the unfolding crisis in Cathay surrounding Vangalan plans to construct two nuclear plants, the first in the communist country. Minister al-Ma'muni defended the Vangalan right to peaceful nuclear energy, saying that the nations of the region should not foment conflict over the domestic affairs of a sovereign nation. The Minister's comments are contrary to those of multiple governments across the world, including those of Touzen, Serbovia, Kyiv, and Sinhai. The latter has made threatening moves toward Vangalan territory in response to the communist country's plans. Hajr and Vangala maintain cordial ties since His Majesty the Sultan paid a state visit to the country last year."
[Al-Ma'muni is shown, dressed in traditional Uroduah robes, saying that Vangala "has the sovereign right to the pursuit of nuclear energy." Grainy footage is broadcast of Vangalan nuclear scientists and engineers, probably working at an experimental reactor. This is followed by images shot from a Vangalan fighter jet of the interception of the Sinhese AWACS aircraft over Vangalan airspace.]
"In further news: the diplomatic service of the Northern nation of Engellex has a peculiar way of addressing other sovereign states. Systematically, other governments are addressed as 'Princes and Chiefs.' This has caused outrage in Hajr, a nation marked by its colonial past. A large majority in Hajr's national legislature, in both houses, has roundly condemned the Engellexic practice, recommending to the Council of Ministers that it issue a complaint to the government in Dulwich. The Lords and Councilors of the Sultanate called the Engellexic way of addressing 'condescending' and 'diplomatically unacceptable.' Publication of the issue in several national dailies sparked protests in Sidra, Marj Ayyun, and Al Quds, in which effigies of the Engellexic Queen Charlotte were burned. Police dispersed the protesters after some time."
[Footage is shown of an interview with a parliamentarian outside the legislative building in Al A'raf, who says "this noble nation is not some barbaric chiefdom, and Engellex must respect this." Then, a sizable mob is shown moving through central Sidra, Hajr's largest city and economic hub, chanting slogans and waving their fists. Some wave daggers. Many are dressed traditionally, marking them out as lower class. The image switches to show the mob burning flags and effigies of the Engellexic queen. A popular chant goes "The Uroduah will not be belittled!" The protesters are stopped before they can reach the Engellexic consulate.]
"That is all for the global headlines. Next is the weather with Uthman ibn Malik. For Al Alam, I'm Shahd Haddadi. Have a good day."
[The view of the studio pans out, and the channel switches to commercials. A slick ad showcases a program called "The Diaspora With Sulayman al-Tusi," with images flashing by of mosques in all shapes and sizes, immigrant neighborhoods, and the reporter with local community leaders. The announcer's deep voice speaks of a "troubled" Hajri diaspora, and promises that the program showcases the intolerance and discrimination Hajris abroad face, and makes a case against this "shadow-side of the democracies." Most footage seems to be of Northern countries. Al Alam then switches to glossy business and travel commercials offering investment opportunities and luxury resorts on the Levantine Gulf.]
"Good evening, live from Sidra, Hajr, this is Al Alam. Bringing you the global news headlines, I'm Shahd Haddadi.
"Election date announced by the Government; Foreign Minister speaks out on Vangalan nuclear energy; Engellexic diplomatic style causes row in Hajr."
[A series of images accompanies the list: a government spokesman at an official press conference; Vangalan engineers and scientists working at an experimental nuclear reactor; a crowd of outraged demonstrators in the streets of a Hajri city.]
"The Hajri Government today announced the date on which the nation's first fully democratic elections will take place. At a government press conference convened in Al A'raf's Hadr Palace, the election date was set at April 19. Candidates for the election have been able to register since yesterday. A government spokesman, replying to questions about the intent of the opposition parties to reorganize, assured the assembled press that the requirement that candidates be independent of party lists will continue. He did not reply to any questions from reporters asking if the Government would suppress party activity."
[As Haddadi speaks, Al Alam broadcasts some footage from the press conference, showing the spokesman replying mechanically to questions from the press. It is clear that this is a strictly orchestrated meeting with little room for independent journalism.]
"The Hajri Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Ali ibn Maktoum al-Ma'muni, today responded to the unfolding crisis in Cathay surrounding Vangalan plans to construct two nuclear plants, the first in the communist country. Minister al-Ma'muni defended the Vangalan right to peaceful nuclear energy, saying that the nations of the region should not foment conflict over the domestic affairs of a sovereign nation. The Minister's comments are contrary to those of multiple governments across the world, including those of Touzen, Serbovia, Kyiv, and Sinhai. The latter has made threatening moves toward Vangalan territory in response to the communist country's plans. Hajr and Vangala maintain cordial ties since His Majesty the Sultan paid a state visit to the country last year."
[Al-Ma'muni is shown, dressed in traditional Uroduah robes, saying that Vangala "has the sovereign right to the pursuit of nuclear energy." Grainy footage is broadcast of Vangalan nuclear scientists and engineers, probably working at an experimental reactor. This is followed by images shot from a Vangalan fighter jet of the interception of the Sinhese AWACS aircraft over Vangalan airspace.]
"In further news: the diplomatic service of the Northern nation of Engellex has a peculiar way of addressing other sovereign states. Systematically, other governments are addressed as 'Princes and Chiefs.' This has caused outrage in Hajr, a nation marked by its colonial past. A large majority in Hajr's national legislature, in both houses, has roundly condemned the Engellexic practice, recommending to the Council of Ministers that it issue a complaint to the government in Dulwich. The Lords and Councilors of the Sultanate called the Engellexic way of addressing 'condescending' and 'diplomatically unacceptable.' Publication of the issue in several national dailies sparked protests in Sidra, Marj Ayyun, and Al Quds, in which effigies of the Engellexic Queen Charlotte were burned. Police dispersed the protesters after some time."
[Footage is shown of an interview with a parliamentarian outside the legislative building in Al A'raf, who says "this noble nation is not some barbaric chiefdom, and Engellex must respect this." Then, a sizable mob is shown moving through central Sidra, Hajr's largest city and economic hub, chanting slogans and waving their fists. Some wave daggers. Many are dressed traditionally, marking them out as lower class. The image switches to show the mob burning flags and effigies of the Engellexic queen. A popular chant goes "The Uroduah will not be belittled!" The protesters are stopped before they can reach the Engellexic consulate.]
"That is all for the global headlines. Next is the weather with Uthman ibn Malik. For Al Alam, I'm Shahd Haddadi. Have a good day."
[The view of the studio pans out, and the channel switches to commercials. A slick ad showcases a program called "The Diaspora With Sulayman al-Tusi," with images flashing by of mosques in all shapes and sizes, immigrant neighborhoods, and the reporter with local community leaders. The announcer's deep voice speaks of a "troubled" Hajri diaspora, and promises that the program showcases the intolerance and discrimination Hajris abroad face, and makes a case against this "shadow-side of the democracies." Most footage seems to be of Northern countries. Al Alam then switches to glossy business and travel commercials offering investment opportunities and luxury resorts on the Levantine Gulf.]