[b]Iron Lady, Part Nine[/b]

In her home, as she sat behind her desk doing paperwork, Priscilla chastised herself for feeling bad at the loss of control she was experiencing. Wasn't this what she wanted? To cede control of her country to the people and their will? Just because reactionaries are taking advantage of that to deceive the people did not change the fact that [i]freedom to fail[/i] was still freedom; and that the Filipinos should be allowed the chance to make mistakes. But Diyos/Dios! Why must it be so hard?

What pricked her was the lack of news from Vinh; Lady Trung lived, but that was all she knew. That and the deal made with the People's Republic of Thailand to blockade French Indochina and Diem's 'Republic of Vietnam'. Better tidings came from Sarawak, where Sultan Al-Hakam Kiram and his followers were making themselves home.

Irene entered, carrying a bag with more letters. Priscilla picked one at random; it was about the Military Appropriations Bill that was jointly passed by all three major parties of the Philippines. It seemed that Aurelia's 'May 24th Movement' had made great efforts to prove its worth to the democratic system of the Philippines. That, despite the invitation extended to [i]Rhodesians[/i]; Priscilla knew more about her rival's dealings than she let on. Well, she'd allow White Flight in, all right, but only because Aurelia had been most 'generous' in giving the Youth League of the New Philippines Party the power and responsibility to watch over the 'ideology traitors' in Subic Bay.

Another letter came from Father Agustin, saying that her moves against the corrupt Workers' Co-Operatives in Subic were not only working, but welcomed; the lot of the mixed-race children and refugees had improved after a lot of work. Then the post-script of the letter praised [i]Aurelia[/i], forcing Priscilla to metaphorically scourge her heart of jealousy.

Yet another letter: [i]The Houist Party of the Philippines uges Priscilla Aglipay-Rizal not to whore her country out by resigning her office or refusing to name a member of The Party as her candidate in future elections -[/i] No, just no. As she said, her people had the freedom to fail, and she had no desire to reign like a monarch like Hou was reputed to be doing. Taking a blank piece of paper and one of those newfangled ballpens from America, Priscilla wrote a hasty but coherent reply.

[i]I am no autocrat, nor will I be commanded like the subject of an autocrat. If you and your group have not come up with a suitable candidate to run against Aurelia in the upcoming elections, then examine and criticize yourselves as to why. Provide what the people want better than Aurelia could.[/i]

Priscilla leaned back on her chair, then faced Irene, who was still there. "I'm tired, Irene. I've been ruling too long, and the temptation to just hold tight to power is wearing me down. I've worked so hard to create a country I can be proud of, and now I need time for myself."

Irene gave an understanding smile at that. "Well, fuck everything everyone says. Aurelia, the Houists, your own desire to work yourself to the bone, fuck them. You've done enough; let others pick up the slack. [i]Resign if you have to.[/i] Who knows, perhaps with the guilt over having privileges gone, you might go out and see the world; won't you like that?"

Priscilla was doubtful. "I don't want to leave my country in its time of need -"

Irene cut her off. "So you would rather your country keep needing you, then?"

Priscilla tensed, then relaxed. "You're right; I have ruled long enough..."