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Shout For Your City!
Within the walls of a city under bombardment by an invading Turkish army, citizens struggle to survive while the ruling parties strive to keep order (or at least a very good facsimile of such). Among the extraordinary details of the backdrop to THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN are the hastily scribbled proclamations and orders, seemingly written under the duress of a city under siege, plastered over the walls and monuments, or covering the desks of harried clerks. Barely discernible to the audience, they nonetheless show a formidable aplomb, or at least a hopeful patina of dignity ("Cannibalism is strictly forbidden"), and an attempt to retain the trappings of an efficient and judicious government -- not unlike the overbearingly (in)efficient bureaucracy of BRAZIL.
Below are transcriptions of some of the scribbled orders. [Spellings have been corrected.] |
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Movement order 77742906 Copy to T.R.O. Horatio Jackson
The Movement Studies Unit has concluded that the line between those things which are to be moved and those things which are under no circumstances to be moved is becoming dangerously blurred. And we urge the Central Committee to remind citizens not to move the following:
[signed] Movement Officer Intelligence Unit
"Shout For Your City" The Intelligence Unit (Innovation Section) wishes to interview all citizens possessed of loud voices to begin a period of all-night shoutings at the enemy with the intention of keeping them awake and continuing the process of Turkish demoralization. Report to the Intelligence Director if you think you may be fit for this work. [signed] (Inteligence Unit) Requistions order 774300201 Following an unfortunate occurrance on 5th October the following items must be handed in to Requisitions offices forthwith. Failure to comply with this order will be punished with the utmost severity.
Issued by the Requisitions Authority on this day the 18th day of the 29th month of the new calendar. [signed] (Requisitions officer) District 106
Proclamation Any citizen found in possession of more than one quart of water will be prosecuted forthwith. This one has to be [sic] :
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WIDE ANGLE / CLOSEUP
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