An interview with the Honourable Duke of Westshire
R.
Honoured Duke of Westshire, I am glad to have you here to discuss your latest, wonderful project. First, however, formalities – how are you faring in these times?
Duke of Westshire
Well, our dreams are filled with whispers of a blazing inferno, my house is filled with thousands of rats, and strangers keep throwing shiny rocks at my windows. I have never been better!
R.
It is so wonderful to hear that! Now, our readers must surely be thinking – “Dreams of fire? House full of rats? Why, I could be interviewed if that is all it takes!” This is, of course, as long as those particular readers do not recognize your name right away. Please, Duke, illuminate us all in regards to the grand venture you have undertaken.
D.
I’m not entirely sure it’s appropriate to call it my venture in all honesty. It began as a small whisper in my dreams, to light a fire that would illuminate the hinterlands, I had intended something small yet notable… but the people of London would not abide such a small endeavour. Even as I began to collect my resources and prepare for the fire, citizens from all corners of our great city began gathering in the street outside my residences, neighbours complained of a fire in their dreams calling them to join the growing congregation…
I still don’t know who first started the chant, yet once it started it spread like a wildfire.
Seven in dust and seven in flame
Seven in ashes and seven to blame
It whispers in dreams of riches and fame
Seven shall render you never the same
R.
The dreams, yes, they come to many contributors. Nevertheless I think it is no small feat to manage such fervour and congregation – you should give yourself more credit on that part, Duke.
“Seven shall render you never the same”, yes, a- saying, we can call it, popular amongst the benefactors and fervent supporters of the Illumination. We both have already alluded to the greatness of this plan, but I dare not deprive you of the joy of shedding light on the true scale at play. If you would entertain our readers so – what, according to the proverbial scriptures, will be the fuel for the fire?
D.
The fire shall Illuminate the Hinterlands, so it seems only fitting to burn that which represents them. I am talking of scrip of course – seven million seven hundred and seventy seven thousand, seven hundred and seventy seven scrip, brought together by The Illuminators and lit ablaze. What could be more beautiful?
R.
There is ephemeral beauty in fire, and forbidden ecstasy in such numbers. The Illumination came to you – and to us – in a dream. Would you be so kind as to curb any worries those less inclined to oneiric portents might have?
D.
The Illumination shall come to pass. Those who embrace it need not fear the warmth of its flames, for what shall be has come to pass and what has come to pass shall be. Fear not the warmth of the hearth but come warm yourself as your ancestors once did.
R.
[At this time, dear readers, there were flames nigh licking our ankles.]
Londoners – The Illuminators, as you say – have already gathered quite the sum. Yet I know the coffers yawn with emptiness in comparison to the lofty grandness of the ultimate goal. Please, for closing words, do tell our readers, where can they find you and donate to this most ennobling of causes?
D.
Of course, dear Correspondent, for the time being we spend much of our time in the great city of London. Should any of your readers wish to join the illuminators, they need but flag down one of London’s many post rats and address their donation or well-wishes to the “Duke of Westshire”.
R.
It will surely be everyone’s delight to join this venerable circle. Dear Duke, the Gazette, as you know, is a paper of art. Please, do enlighten us about your relationship to art. Indeed, I have heard of your involvement as model with the Mycologene Painter-
[Slowly, the page sears to ashes with a cold flame before you even finish the sentence. Soon there is no trace left but the searing memory in your mind, and seven sevens pressed into your skin.]
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