It has been very hard, these past few weeks, to think of anything without also thinking of the events in Madison and particularly at the capitol. Everyone is talking about it. In fact, it is often all that anyone does talk about. So it is not surprising that a cold, but cheerful Sunday morning would bring about a discussion of Our Mutual Friend and The Capitol.
In fact, the topic of conversation was in fact 'What would they be doing at the capitol?'
It all start with a connection between Podsnappery and certain government types. Then Veneering was brought into it on their side. After some time, it was decided that Rokesmith was the 14 Democrat senators. There was a strong, strong connection between pretending to be dead and running off to Illinois, we thought. (We being Melissa, your truly, and Zoe)
So, now that the government was all figured out-what was everyone else up to?
Some people were easy. Eugene and Mortimer are camped out in the capitol, sleeping bags, and maybe even a tent. Jenny Wren and Lizzie are sitting on a wall somewhere outside. Eugene keeps running back and forth between Mortimer and Lizzie because he wants to be inside, protesting, but he wants to make sure Lizzie is okay-and back and forth and back and forth.
Mortimer has a ukulele.
Blight is sitting near Mortimer, going over a printed-out copy of The Bill with several highlighters and a pencil, trying to figure out exactly what is in it.
Bradley Headstone is really supposed to be protesting, but he's hovering *coughstalkingcough* around Lizzie, in the crowd just a little ways away. Eugene is perfectly aware of this and gives him a cheeky wave every now and then. Charley Hexam isn't bothering with this business, and is nowhere to be found. But Miss Peecher and all her students are there, in a little group, and each of them has a very neatly handwritten sign of protestation-and with very lovely penmanship on the B in 'Bill'.
Since there isn't a poorhouse around right now to worry about, Betty Higden is protesting with all her might for workers rights. She is constantly at the megaphone, giving inspirational speeches.
As for the shadier characters, Silas Wegg is sitting on a bench somewhere, glaring at people, with no real purpose but glaring. Rogue Riderhood is skulking about, but Pleasant has set up shop, selling pre-made signs and lots of t-shirts.
The Boffins are strolling around, perhaps a little ways away from the crowds, but very certainly supporting them. Mrs. Wilfer is protesting. Loudly. She has dragged Lavinia and George Sampson there with her. But Bella and R. Wilfer are sitting at a little cafe on state street, chatting, and calling in to Ian's pizza every now and then to buy pizza for protesters. Mr. Boffin has given Bella spending money for this very purpose.
Speaking of pizza, Venus is delivering it, somberly, and hoping to catch a glimpse of Pleasant.
If we have forgotten any characters, we apologize. There are a few smaller ones-Lady Tippins is a tea partier, and so is Aunt Medusa-but Aunt Medusa is pretending not to be because she doesn't like Lady Tippins. But they aren't at the protest for very long.
Hoping that this was at the very least, amusing.
