[b][color=7ea7d8]GILBERT HALLORAN[/color][/b]

Every now and then, Gilbert wondered if the end was nigh — or if that [i]Biblical[/i] end was already upon them. He could not but help himself as he looked over the scene in the plaza. Thousands crowded the heart of Mundin to experience the celebration of its founding, a popular event, of course. The sun loomed in the sky for the final stretch of daylight, filled with a bubbly, orange energy which characterized that day quite nicely. The tentative peace, which the government labored so much for, was so heart-warming.

Still, with beating hearts and beaming faces, Gilbert, who counted himself among them, was all too full of ennui at the same time. Painful dissonance in his mind — did others ever tire of the almost utopian atmosphere? 'Mundin remains secure; but threats knock on PM's door,' the headlines read on the newsstands. Wrinkling his nose with skepticism, Gilbert also eyed a neighboring tabloid which described 'the Prime Minister's secret love affairs.' Sighing and reaching into his pocket, he spared the peddler some currency, and he took one of the leading newspapers. [color=7ea7d8][i]Things aren't ever all that perfect, are they?[/i][/color] The college student mustered up a weak smile and whispered to himself, [color=7ea7d8][i]Relax. Today is supposed to be about joy.[/i][/color]

For now, Gilbert eased into one of his few days when he could unfocus, unwind, and think about something that was [i]not[/i] a homework assignment for a weed-out course. He saw some fellow students, some old acquaintances, all blended in the sea of strangers. This was as good as it got, a small, relatively privileged (to the rest of the world), and peaceful existence. No grand adventure or pursuit for thrill. No oppressive, tyrannical government. Mr. Halloran looked up to the sky and remained optimistic about the future. In fact, he joined the crowd — most gladly, in fact! — in awaiting for the fanfare and fireworks. Though he knew this good time was doomed to a short life, the inevitable misfortune was conquerable.