Georgette Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax family of Charborough had been on these shores for just over a month. In that time she had attended to her duties in regards to the T.C.C.I.M.F.A.D.R.C.C.I - FTSSH and had made several connections with other members of society, regardless of rank or age.

One peculiarity that Georgette noticed during the last month in America was a behavior that no one really seemed to be commenting on, at least not in a location visible to her. Which was preposterous, given that people would talk about some of the most ridiculous topics whilst on the streets or in the coffee shops. 

Georgette considered speaking to the other like-minded members of the Competition Commission and all branches of said organization, but given that the issue impacted everyone, Georgette made the decision to bring the matter directly to the streets, inviting everyone to participate in a diplomatic discussion around the speeches that newly authorized Crewleaders make, and their refusal to allow the masses to participate. 

Having checked with Ned_Harrington that her presence on the Competition Commission stage would be acceptable and not bothersome in the slightest, Georgette checked her meticulous notes one final time before taking the steps to the stage.

Being The Competition Commission International Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic Relations Chief Chancellor's Intern (For the summer school holidays) came with a variety of responsibilities, but she hadn't quite considered the amount of Public speaking that might need to be done. But thankfully Georgette grew up with the finest elocution tutors that her father's money could buy. 

Adjusting the microphone stand due to her short stature, the woman started to speak. "For those of you I've not spoken to, My name is Georgette Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax family of Charborough, and I have travelled to America from England, due to my appointed role as The Competition Commission International Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic Relations Chief Chancellor's Intern (For the summer school holidays), or T.C.C.I.M.F.A.D.R.C.C.I - FTSSH for short." 

"I stand before you today to discuss the announcements that newly authorized Crewleaders make on these very streets, decreed by city-hall to be mandatory, and how they are treated." Georgette said to the crowd gathered before her. "Before I go any further, this is a discussion and there are no prizes to be won, no glory to be had, this is simply something I would like to diplomatically discuss with the denizens of this democracy."  

"In the time that I have visited these shores no less than 29 speeches have been given on these very streets to the community regarding newly formed headquarters - I would say families, but upon review of my notes it appears some leaders have made multiple speeches when moving amongst the cities during times of conflict." 

"And in nearly every single one of these speeches, should you arrive more than a few minutes after the newly authorized leader finishes speaking, you are barred from entering the area and having your say. There have been a collective, and believe me I take meticulous notes, eight comments allowed to be made before the event is locked down." 

Georgette paused for dramatic effect, taking this pause in the speech to re-organize her carefully crafted notes and ensure she was on the correct talking point. 

"The masses are being silenced, which seems counter-intuitive to the entire process. If you are not going to allow people to approach, congratulate, or even comment on the announcement why are you even bothering with the announcement?" 

"Perhaps this is something that city-hall needs to take into account, a limit on when you purchase the lease to the headquarters building to when you can submit the paperwork regarding your public speech." Georgette quickly glanced at her notes 

Georgette paused for a moment, flipping to the forty second card in her list of notes, and smiled at the crowd. "But perhaps the easiest solution is for Crewleaders to simply do better. To not consider this as an object to mark-off so quickly on their to-do list, and rather allow the people to speak, to engage as for several leaders this may be the only time we ever see them in the streets."

"Instead of putting in the bare-minimum effort required to appease the authorities and mayor before scuttling back to the depths of their headquarters hiding away, refusing to engage with society in a way that requires more effort than jumping into a pool outside the lounges we often frequent, perhaps they could allow the community to have a voice and offer their congratulations to the new leaders." 

"I often hear how leaders should be the best this world has to offer, to guide us, show us how we want our world to be. And if that truly is the case, then the way things have been for the past month shows that they want a world where people don't step out of their comfort-zones, engage with the public and just hide away stomping rats and pretending these streets aren't a valuable resource if utilized correctly." 

Tucking the cards that she had pre-prepared away, Georgette gestured to the crowd gathered, "Perhaps you'd like to weigh in on your thoughts regarding this? I'm happy to engage with anyone regarding where you stand, or sit, on this issue. Are you happy with how things are currently? Do you wish Crewleaders behaved differently when it came to announcements of their authorizations on the streets?" 

Georgette stepped back from the microphone, ready to hear hopefully more than just crickets. But even if it was just crickets, at least this experience was a good refresher in regards to public-speaking.  

In all honesty, I think a week would be an ideal period of time to allow people to offer congratulations, express concern or shout random things. 

Personally, I feared that I would simply forget to put the final stamp on my announcement so sent it straight off. 

Perhaps if the response timer were to start from the point of submission, it could give everyone a chance to cast their opinions. Especially considering we all walk these streets at different times of the day. 

Finally closing time! Knusprig has just left the headquarters and is making his way on foot toward the city center.

On a large square he notices a crowd of people. In the middle, in front of a microphone, stands a small woman. Despite her size, she radiates a great presence. The crowd listens spellbound to her words and Knusprig also joins the listeners. He, for his part, is on these streets with great enthusiasm and is impressed by the woman's remarks - razor-sharp in terms of content, linguistically a stunner.

Knusprig has not been in this business for very long, but he believes he is beginning to know how things work here. He has already heard one or two family heads speak, and yes, the atmosphere was always rather modest: critical voices from the population are not tolerated, hands are not shaken, good wishes are not given along the way.

At best, it would be a good countermeasure to open up the circle, to let the people on the ground have their say and to encourage them to participate more actively in everyday discussions.

Knusprig listens to the speech of the little woman until the end, nods appreciatively and leaves the scene.