The City of the Broken (Prince of the Broken)

by Ceri Beynon

  “Hey, you look happy. You don’t need any pro-happiness group when you’ve got the library” says Calix ,reading my feelings as he comes over to join me.

  “Oh Calix ,does the City of the Broken have a library? I’m never more enthralled than when I’m looking at books” I smile.

  “It sure does. I should have taken you ages ago. You’ll love it, its huge and has every books you could ever think of” he says, his eyes glittering with promise as I beam up at him like a small child.

  The City of the Broken public library has gothic architecture and an impressive nobility that makes it seem more like an official government building than a library. It’s the most amazing library I’ve ever set foot in. This masterpiece of libraries is an example to all the rest. I feel as though I’ve come across a diamond mine in my own back garden that I never even knew was there. A hive of literature that not only stocks the classics that by birthright should grace every library, but also the new, the rare and the most popular.

  The black floors gleam with polish, squeaking as I walk over them, taking care not to slip from my excitement. The walls are white. The books are the ornaments, the centrepiece, the works of art that hang in the frames of old oak bookshelves.

  The library has three floors-fact, fiction, poetry and drama. We’ve been here hours and I’m still no where near full in this feast of words.

  “Oh Calix, why didn’t you take me here the very first time you took me to the city? I feel as though I’m sampling oxygen after a lifetime of breathing only fumes” I say, still not believing such a perfect place could actually exist. The ultimate library.

  “Sorry Seren. I know you love books, I do too but I thought you’d be more interested in the palace or BlackBall” he says earnestly.

  “This city should be famous for its library if it isn’t already. The City of the Books should be its new name” I say.

  “I wonder what Dad would have to say about that idea” he smiles.

  “Okay, I now officially don’t understand the point of view of the Broken citizens .How can you be unhappy when you have access to all of this?” I ask stretching out my arms to motion to the library as a whole.

  At the third floor, after practically crying tears of joy on discovering numerous editions of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Wordsworth and Keats ,I realize there is one more flight of stairs, which seems to lead to an attic or perhaps another layer of books-the rarest and most wonderful that Calix has forgotten to mention?

  I climb the stairs eagerly, wondering what magnificence awaits, what other titles and authors there could possibly be that the vast array of the first three floors didn’t cover. The door at the top of the flight of stairs is covered by a large, embroidered tapestry of black, silver and gold. I shift it to one side and realize a padlock bars my entry through the oak door.

  “Hey! Seren, you cant go up there” says Calix racing towards me, looking alarmed.

  “Why? What’s behind the door Calix? Are there any more books?” I ask feeling like a child that has just been scolded.

  “It isn’t open to the public. That’s Fathers own archive” he says in an unfamiliar formal tone.

  “Why doesn’t he have his archive in his own palace rather than a public library?” I ask bemused.

  “Security is very tight here, Dad actually believes it safer for his documents to be stored here. No one except senior members of staff actually knows what this room is for. Only Dad and I have a key” he says.

  “Why do you have a key to his archives” I ask still puzzled.

  “Well, actually I don’t have the key yet. I’ll inherit the key and the archives when I’m King. He says that room holds the secrets of the city. To be honest I’m as intrigued by it as you are. I don’t understand what secrets there are, but that padlock is so frustrating. I long to know what’s in that mystery room” he says, his eyes lighting up with wonder.

  “Wow. It must be pretty special if he won’t even allow you to go in there. I cant even imagine the knowledge that room holds.” I say fascinated, staring at the lock that guards the secret forbidden information.

  “Can’t we just break the lock?” I ask suddenly, impulsively, my curiosity getting the better of me.

  “Oh believe me Seren, I’ve tried in my youth. I even had Frederick with his muscles of steel and cunning nature to find a way to break, pick or loosen that lock but even he gave up- and he’s a man who would jump over every obstacle there is to achieve a goal. The only way it opens is with that illusive key” he says arching his eyebrow.

  “How often does your Dad come in this room then?” I ask.

  “You know that is the curious thing. I have never known him to even set foot in this library, yet he places such importance on that room. The only time I know that he came here was when I was a child when he opened it officially .But even then he didn’t actually go inside the library, he just stood at the entrance” he says, now equally as bemused as me.

  After finding a dozen books I want to borrow, I use Calix’s shiny black card, embossed with purple ‘City of the Broken Public Libraries’ font. I cant have my own library card as they are available to citizens only.

  “Promise to take them back on time Seren. I love the library as much as you do” he says.

  “I always return books Calix but I’ll make absolutely certain I will when they are on your card” I say truthfully and he smiles trustingly.

  “I’m so fascinated by that forbidden room Calix. I’m more inclined to believe it stocks secrets of the King than secrets of the city” I say ,wondering what darkness the king has hidden away.

  “Don’t encourage the itch of my imagination Seren. I both long for and dread to know the depths of information that room holds. Then at other times I think that I’ll be sorely disappointed when I discover what is probably little more than a collection of historic documents and family trees” he says.

  I’m well aware that there could be anyone watching, waiting to report us to His Majesty the King but I don’t care. It’s a beautiful day and my fiancé and I are enjoying a rare undisrupted stroll through The City of the Broken.

  Just as I’m becoming totally engrossed in the sweet sunshine kissed sky, a passer by dressed in yellow approaches us

  “Hi! Would you like to join us as a volunteer? I’m a Smiley and we promote the Pro-Happiness cause to bring colour, happiness and smiles back into this gloomy city. Interested?” she asks beaming up at us with an almost unnatural, permanent political smile on her face.

  I look at Calix, unsure what to say.

  “Not today, but thank you” he says, smiling politely.

  “Oh wow, you’re the prince. I heard you support this cause already, that’s one of the reasons I joined” she says smiling adoringly at Calix.

  After we escape her, Calix and I laugh at the irony of the situation.

  “Its hilarious that the King brought about his own worst nightmare by his own doing. You’d have thought he’d think it through before telling the world you were a fan of The Smiley’s” I say, nearly choking from laughing so much.

  “I think he was just so angry that the two of us were engaged that he acted almost impulsively. I’m sure he’ll be working on damage limitation now he’s realized his error. It’ll be all over the news tomorrow that I’ve switched back to Pro-despair now” he says.

  “Probably” I agree sniggering.

  “The City really is divided now though. Pro-despair groups are concentrated heavily on one side of the city and Pro-happiness members are banned from entering and vice versa. I’m all for freedom of speech but I don’t agree with these sunshine and cloudy sides of the city” he says, looking concerned about the situation.

  “What has your father said about the whole issue?” I ask, wondering why the King seems to have become so quiet of late.

  “Actually Seren, I haven’t seen Dad in days. I really don’t have a clue what he’s up to and what his opinions are. I’ve actually taken it upon myself
to set up a group to discuss the divide. It’s called City Reunited. I want people to live their lives how they choose to but this divide is silly. Its turning people who’ve never even met each other into enemies and I don’t want this to be a city of conflict” he says passionately.

  “Oh Calix, you are so active in society, unlike me. You stay up to date with all these current affairs. I just don’t know how you do it” I say enthralled.

  “Well, its my duty Seren. I am the prince and especially as Dad’s absent at the moment, its my responsibility to lead these types of things” he says modestly.

  “So where is this group?” I ask.

  “We meet every Tuesday evening at the community centre .If a serious or notable incident or development occurs, such as a riot, we’ll meet twice or three times a week” he says.

  “Who can join, elites only, like at the meeting with your Dad?” I ask.

  “No. That’s the beauty of this. Anyone who’s a citizen of this city, whether they are Pro-Happiness, Pro-Despair or neutral can join” he smiles.

  “Oh ,that’s great. That way its fair as everyone can express their opinions and concerns. But Calix, the trouble is I’m not a citizen, so can I attend?”

  “Well Seren, ordinarily I’d say no but since its you I’ll make an exception and bring you along as my plus-one. Just try not to contribute too much though .It might irritate the citizens if you are opinionated on matters of a city you aren’t even a member of” he says honestly.

  “Okay. That’s not a problem. Even if I was a citizen I’d be far too shy to say anything” I say frankly and he laughs.

  Chapter Twelve.

  Group Therapy

  Its so interesting to go to this gathering of citizens from different backgrounds, who were once united by a common value of depression and darkness and now have two different extremes in opinions of how to live life.

  The community centre is dark and dreary. The black titled floor is clean ,but doesn’t have the gloss of the library and the palace. People are required to sign-in, including Calix.

  The register has boxes for name, address, age and a question that asks ‘Are you Pro-Happiness, Pro-Despair or Neutral’? with check boxes to tick your preferred option and in brackets is written ‘this is used for statistical purposes only.’ I go to sign-in but Calix informs me that I cant as I’m not a citizen. He signs and ticks the ‘neutral’ box, probably not choosing a side as he wants to remain impartial as the Prince.

  “I would have chosen ‘Pro-Despair’” I tell him.

  “Well don’t tell anyone Seren but I think I’m leaning that way myself. These Pro-Happiness group members are so happy its almost insincere and fake” he says.

  “I totally agree. There’s a realness about being broken. Whatever you say about the Pro-Despair citizens they are genuine. They wont mask their feelings for anyone and I respect that” I say.

  We go into the hall of the centre, where a large circle of chairs has been arranged, many already taken. This isn’t going to be a lecture then, but an open discussion. Around half of the people here are dressed in bright colours and the other, slightly larger half are dressed in the customary costume of the city-black and grey .The latter half I assume to be Pro-Despair or neutral and unwilling to change. Calix has chosen to wear a slick, black suit with a light blue shirt. I suppose not to give any insight into his opinion away by his dress. I wear my black dress, knowing I’m under no obligation to be politically correct as I’m not even a legitimate member of this meeting.

  There is one man with a handful of notes sitting in the centre and I presume it is he, not Calix who will be the official voice of this meeting.

  Looking around I see some familiar faces including Alfred, Anita and Frederick(who are sitting together).Anita looks disgusted at the fact she is sitting in a community centre, surrounded by ‘ordinary’ people, although she is dressed glamorously as usual nonetheless. She can only be admired for turning the most mundane of places into a haute couture fashion show. She spots me and looks me up and down, evidently not approving of my outfit as I do hers.

  “Prince Calix, finally. A delight to see some civilised company. Come and sit with us” she says motioning him to sit by her and Frederick, despite the fact the seats next to them on either side are already occupied.

  “Thank Anita, but we’ll stay here” he says politely declining.

  Anita rolls her eyes and then exclaims

  “Oh can we just get this silly meeting over and done with please. I have better places to be than sitting in this dead end slum”. I wonder if she’s referring to the ballet.

  “Yes. I think its time we made a start” says the man with the notes.

  “Please everyone be seated and we’ll begin” he says motioning to the yellow clad Smiley who is just returning from the canteen with a paper cup of something hot.

  “Well then. I assume you all know why we are here? My name is Frank Speakman and for any of you who have perhaps been living under a rock, cut off from recent happenings, I’ll fill you in. The City of the Broken, a city built on a collective consensus of values that we are Broken citizens has in recent weeks, quite rapidly and unbelievably become divided. Yes, divided into two main groups-those who believe in the original values of this city and those who believe the city would benefit in the changing of its very core beliefs” he says and I can tell by the disdain in which he speaks of ‘changing beliefs’ that Frank is most definitely a traditionalist and therefore I assume, Pro-Despair.

  “Now, I know that each of us in this room has very different opinions on the future of this city, but as we are all citizens here I’d ask you to be respectful of others opinions, whether you agree with them or not. Anyone guilty of harassment, violent or bullying behaviour will be asked to leave the meeting” he says officially.

  “Okay, any questions at the end please don’t be afraid to ask. Right, now we’ve cleared all that up. Lets begin. Who’d like to be the first to offer an opinion?” he asks, looking around for a volunteer.

  “I would like to say something” says a man with greying hair, wearing a black waistcoat and with an expression of depression.

  “Go right ahead Sir” says Frank.

  “I have lived in this city longer than ten years. Never before have I seen such disruption. These ‘Smiley’s’ are Pro-Chaos, not Pro-Happiness. They’re just youngsters who want their fifteen minutes of fame, rebelling to get their pictures in the paper. The city was fine just as it was. If its Broken, don’t fix it, is my motto” he says angrily.

  “Excuse me. I am a Smiley and this isn’t about fame or glory. I believe firmly in my cause and The Smiley’s have a policy to protest peacefully ,so your talk of chaos is complete falsehood and influenced by the lies the king has told the press about us. Our mission is to resuscitate a city that has been long since dead. We want to cooperate with citizens to bring choice and free will back into this City of forced despair. We are not ‘rebelling’ simply for having an opinion that is different” says The Smiley who is dressed in sparkly yellow with a gold sash reading ‘Pro-Happiness’ tied around her.

  “You both have relevant points to make, but it cannot be denied that this divide of the city has led to conflict between two groups who once identified with each other on the basis of their citizenship” says Calix, adding his viewpoint.

  “Your Majesty, its wonderful to hear your point of view. Are you Pro-Happiness or Pro-Despair?” asks Frank and everyone listens intently.

  “I’m neither, I’m neutral. My opinion is that the city should be reunited .I don’t want two different groups with extremes of beliefs and I oppose those bans that stop people entering certain parts of the city based on their chosen side. This is one city and I’d like to keep it that way” he says forcefully but diplomatically.

  “Forgive me for saying this Prince Calix, but your father’s rule is oppressive. There would be no need for two groups with extreme views, if such extremity hadn’t been forced on citizens to live
a life of sadness and to only ever wear black” says the talkative Smiley.

  “I feel very strongly about this issue, don’t I Frederick? That’s the only reason I entered this deprived part of the city. The citizens joined and were recruited because they had a certain set of beliefs to begin with, so to encourage them to turn to a complete opposite set of beliefs is ludicrous. They didn’t have to join this city, the King has only been catering to the publics wants and needs. Why change such a great city? You Smiley’s are simply troublemakers and yes I quite agree-attention seekers” says Anita, her lisp giving a slightly comical affect to her speech.

  “I can actually relate this to my own experience. I was recruited and joined, and yes I agree with the smartly dressed lady there that I wasn’t forced to join. I joined because I was broken and the offer to join a city where I would, for the first time in my life, fit in was simply too irresistible to turn-down. At first it was very liberating to be part of a world where unhappiness was the norm-no fake smiles. But then I found that I was becoming trapped in a cycle of despair that was encouraged-wear black, no smiling. It became suffocating .I do love the city, don’t get me wrong. Its refreshing to have this portal of gloom, where smiling is un-cool and no one has to pretend. But sometimes, its just too restrictive. I guess I’d like more option and freedom to be happy when I want to be” says a lanky, but pretty woman with long dark hair.

  “Well. Thank you all very much for your opinions, we’ll take everyone’s views on board and use them to improve this group, and if we have Prince Calix’s support, the City. We’re running a bit low on time, so I’d like to wrap it up there. Any questions?”

  “Yes, how long do you intend to run this group? I don’t fancy having to come here very often” asks Anita looking around in disdain.

  “I’m not quite sure to be honest. Any ideas Your Majesty?” asks Frank, looking at Calix.

  “As long as it takes to reunite our city” Calix says.