briefing_5 [Scoop!]

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====== Briefing 5 ======

===== Editor's Note =====

HR has suggested that I try a method known as a ‘compliment sandwich’ to deliver this note to you all in an emotionally balanced manner, so I suppose I can begin with some good news.  

Mr. Charles and I had a productive meeting with the union committee of Abigail, Drusilla, Esme, and Laurentius this week.  Though the committee’s initial suggestions were frivolous, I’m pleased to say we’ve reached an agreement:

//For the duration of union negotiations, the Gazette agrees to a moratorium on AI usage, public firings, and job cuts.  In exchange, the Gazette’s writers agree to refrain from striking.//

It’s a good agreement.  I trust you’ll honour it.  Now, on to other business.

[OC: This means that striking during Uptime is not possible any more, since this would result in your character losing their job, which would make them unplayable.]

----
**All of you are better than this.**

In addition to another article on our business published in the //Lookout// ("Toma-Toad’s Policy of More Fertilizer No Matter What: A Threat to our Rivers and our Whales") by Captain Herring, this week saw two exposés of our paper and its culture, published in //Middle// and the //Lookout// respectively.  I want to be clear that I respect your rights as journalists, including your right to write against things that incense you.  On a professional level, however, these exposés do little more than embarrass your colleagues.  

The first, “[[Free Speech Sabotaged|FREE SPEECH SABOTAGED: SCANDALOUS SACKINGS AT NEW GLABE GAZETTE]]”, puts more effort into rhetoric than reporting.  While I think the article’s concern for environmental protection and journalistic integrity is admirable, I question whether a newspaper publishing contradicting news is “an inevitable consequence of a publication which enshrines the sanctity of free speech.”

The second, “[[Sunset for the Gazette]]”, is not only defamatory in its tone, but criminal in its methods.  Firstly, article states that the //Lookout// was first to the toy factory story, ignoring the fact that all the information was stolen from the //Gazette// through an information leak.  Second, I’m shocked that I need to say it, but recording private conversations without both parties’ permission is illegal in Seldona.  When the “C.T. Strange” that wrote this article is unmasked, I will be taking them to court.  We will address the matter of “C.T.” and their identity at the beginning of today’s meeting.

----
Surprisingly, I have a second piece of good news.  Our office now has four coffee machines: 
  * Marty, against all odds, has managed to fix the original one.  It now displays a QR code linking to an interesting piece of independent journalism ("Toma-toad: toad-ally terrific? Or polluting the planet whilst paying for our papers?") by the //Gazette//'s own Elodie Van Wonderbee.
  * At the request of several writers, I have purchased a new coffee machine for the office alongside ten blends of fair-trade coffee and various syrups. This expense came entirely from my own pockets and did not use any funds belonging to the Gazette.
  * Bewilderingly, two nights ago, a pair of high-end coffee machines identical to the one I purchased appeared in the office.  While I appreciate this anonymous act of (slightly superfluous) kindness, I don’t believe we need any more coffee machines.

Finally, at the request of my Personal Assistant, Stacy, I have purchased a kettle and a number of herbal teas for communal use.

----

Thank you all for your attention to this briefing.  I trust we will have a productive meeting today.

Regards,
\\
Miss Dohong-Stillwater, Editor of the //New Glabe Gazette//

===== Headlines =====

{{:headlines_5.jpeg?1000|}}
===== Notices from Human Resources =====

**Reminders from Upper Management:**
  * You are entitled to one lunch break lasting 15 minutes during the work day.
  * No moving of furniture without filling in a permission slip.
  * There is a zero-tolerance policy for gossip. Careless talk costs money.

//from Human Resources// 

===== Opinion =====
====Duke of Abberfraw?====
Dear reader,

There have been massive changes at the Gazette this week - all for the better! With our old editor gone, yours truly is finally receiving the respect they deserve for their work. And with it comes new opportunities! I have an expanded team, ready to deliver you more and more high-quality news.

It is time to put paid to the Duke of Abberfraw and his stooge, the Minister of Deception. Next week I plan to deliver you with a comprehensive plan of action to depose him from the Upper House! But all in due time. This week, I shall instead explain why the need to depose the Duke of Abberfraiament prorogued, to give him time to buy the votes he needs to have SALVO win the bid instead.

But now things have gotten out of hand. Parliament has been prorogued for too long, and a story has leaked exposing SALVO for its evil wiles. The Duke is once again desperate for a solution, and once parliament returns to normal operations, he’ll be ready with another power grab. This is our only opportunity. We must strike down the Duke before he can end our freedom and democracy forever! Down with the Duke! Down with the Minister of Deception! Down with Laurentius Abberfraw! Down with SALVO!

===== Puzzles =====
[[https://linktr.ee/scoop5|{{:scoop_5.png?nolink&960|}}]]
===== The Pragmarium =====

__**THE STARS CANNOT BE READ THIS WEEK DUE TO GRAVELY OVERCAST SKIES.**__

Our Pragmarium Expert, Grace Raye, will instead provide a tarot reading using the Princess of the Dragons(tm) Online(r) Official Tarot Deck.

====Spirits of the Cardinal Stars====
THE SCROLL-KEEPER * THE BARD * THE PRODIGAL

An interesting combination. The Scroll-Keeper is often taken as a representative of recieved wisdom - study, academia, etc - while the Bard represents a field steeped so deeply in the pursuit of the novel. As we learn from the tale of the Prodigal, both were necessary to forestall the world's end - though, in doing so, bring it into its present state of perdition. Perhaps this is trying to tell us to look out for opportunities in all places, and not to turn away an opportunity just because it seems sub-par - it may turn out to be the best option we have.

====Spirits of the Lesser Stars====

MAIDEN of Summer Stars * VIII of Equinoctal Stars * LADY of Evening Star.

The Maiden of the Summer Stars generally is taken as a joyful sign, while the Lady of Evening Star is usually taken as a pointer towards a coming end. Perhaps joy in an ending, or perhaps the ending of joy. The appearance of Equinoctal Stars here helps little to tip the balance, just as the equinox so carefully keeps the balance between day and night. VIII in this suit in particular represents balance in the context of trade - an even transaction, rather than one that benefits one party at the expense of the other. This, of course, forces the question: What is a fair transaction? Is it one that balances monetary value, or just any transaction that both parties walk away from satisfied? Is there some unknowable 'fair', that material reality can only aspire to?