Une promenade

[Holy Frankish Empire]

The interview had been set only recently and both embassies worked in quick order to arrange it. The interview would take place at Hôtel de Vaumand on 2 Rue de Révolution. The Premier's residence was shockingly opulent but the decor showed the communist roots in a contrast that was interesting to say the least. Christophe Rivette was a well known interviewer for le Soleil's TV1/SITV. SITV being le Soleil's international broadcast. The interview would be televised both on TV1 in Bourgogne and internationally. It was one of Rivette's larger interviews in recent years. Few knew he would retire after the series of interviews he would conduct with world leaders. Recently he had only interviewed minor politicians and athletes. His famous 1997 Papal interview had been met with world acclaim. Now in Serenierre, Rivette knew he had an important task- showcasing the Premier's attitudes to the world. It was a simple enough flight, first from Brienne to Nichtstein then onto Serenierre. The city was cold and people had seemed friendly. Some seemed interested in the Burgundian accent which showed readily in his High Frankish. At 66, he was definitely showing his age. He was not especially fond of a winter stroll through gardens but it was part of his job and he did not suggest an alternate setting as the Premier had selected it herself. His chauffeured car followed by the crew van arrived without incident to 2 Rue de Revolution. The police in the police car which had followed them- more for general security sake than a real escort, seemed rather uninterested. It was after ascending a few stairs and entering the residence that Rivette was surprised, though he did not show it. It was a rather opulent setting. It was after a moment he heard a door and the Premier entered. Not knowing protocol, Rivette bowed his head only slightly and momentarily before extending a hand.....

 

[Serenierre]

Hôtel de Vaumond
2 Rue de Révolution, Villesen
Elisabeth Martinique was sitting in her private study when an aide knocked on her door.

"Madame Premier, they're here."
"Oh good. Make sure they are settled in. Have the protocol officer serve them some coffee."​

The interview that was about to take place was a rather sudden and interesting matter. Here she was, Premier of Serenierre for four years already, and just fresh into her second term. It had been an intriguing gesture by the Burgundian media. But she had agreed, without necessarily deferring to the judgement of her colleagues in the Commissariat. In all honesty, only a few years ago, this would have been a rather preposterous idea. The last time Burgundian journalists had interviewed the leader of Serenierre had been in 1991 and that had not been an entirely smooth affair. But Elisabeth was in the mood to extend an olive branch.

Some twenty minutes later, she descended into the Green Drawing Room, the place where the interview would take place. It was a grand room, full of fine paintings and antique furniture, an elegant design which would not seem amiss in any grand aristocratic house in the Burgundian countryside. At first, the plan had been to have the interview be conducted in the pavilion outside, with a better view of the gardens, but once an unexpected cold wave rolled around, it was thought to be wiser to remain indoors.

She entered the room without any fanfare. This was the most secure place in the country and even her body guards were fairly relaxed here. The Burgundian team had been frisked by three levels of security already before entering, so it was fairly safe to assume that no possible threat would be emerging from them. Although, despite the smiles and the good cheer, instructions had already been delivered to Directorate 77 to sweep the room after the team from TV1/SITV left to detect any possible devices left behind.

"So nice to meet you," she smiled and shook M. Christophe Rivette's hand, taking her seat shortly thereafter. "I do hope the refreshments were served in time."​

Pleasantries followed between the Premier and her guest for the duration while they waited for the cameras to be set up and the make-up applied.

"Let us begin, non?" she said when the activity all across the room started to slow down.​

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Rivette had rolled his eyes at being searched 3 times. He had no idea just how paranoid these people could be. After all, he was a world renowned journalist. But he let it slide. As the 2 cameras were getting into place for the shots he looked through his notes, which some security man had shuffled through lightly. He looked at the producer who nodded. "Madame Premier, I want to thank you for this opportunity. You are the first of a series of leaders whom will be interviewed. It is important for us and viewers to have this window" he began, pausing as he eyed his scrawled notes. "Let us start with you. Where did you grow up" he asked, folding his hands over his notes.

 

[Serenierre]

Fluff. That was the word that crossed her mind when Rivette asked his first question. "Ah, I am from Monseran," she smiled. "Which is our largest city and a port city as well. I grew up there. My father was an aeronautical engineer at the University of Monserans' research division and my mother was an editor in Renaud Publishing. While dear Papa is no longer with us, may his soul rest in peace, my dearest Maman is still as a wonderful as ever. She lives here with us. But even though my parents belong to a fairly intellectual sort of life, I went to the local school in Monseran" - yes, the local school where all the children from other such families would go, "and then subsequently I joined the University of Villesen to complete my education. However up until that point I was not particularly interested in politics."

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Rivette nodded. It was normal for interviews to begin softer and get into more pressing matters. Almost all of his interviews began such a way. "Not interested in politics? Well, before University, what was your focus? Surely you must have had some life trajectory in mind" he said, smiling and showing his genuine interest.

 

[Serenierre]

"I always imagined myself as a Professor at the University," she said after a moment of contemplation, "And in fact I did pursue a doctorate after my Masters in Finance, but I think life had another plan for me and I found myself joining the Party and subsequently becoming a Political Commissar in our legislature following the national election of 1991."

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

"How terribly interesting. Through your lengthy education, I am sure there was much reading. However, I and viewers would be particularly interested in what you read for leisure? Is there perhaps something to take your mind off of domestic and world events?"