[WEF 1845] McLean's Charity Ball, Concordia

[Barry Goldwater]

McLean's Club & Theater

Democrats nationwide celebrated the victory of Charles William Lamberth in last year's presidential election, making him the first Democrat to sit in the Presidential Palace after eight years' occupation by their Federalist archenemies, and Wilbur McLean of Concordia was no exception. The fabulously wealthy McLean, one of the rare planters who decided to 'sully their hands by partaking in the Yankee middlemen's businesses' and invested in a social club in Concordia itself, has thrown a charity ball at said club - a lavishly furnished six-story structure that offers 'kingly feasts', theater and permission to perform even risque dances to its attendees - in honor of the new President and to provide alms to the district's less fortunate, open to anybody able to pay the stiff $3,000 admittance fee. Notably, the club's relaxed social rules (at least compared to many other social clubs around the country & Europe) allow even the nouveau-riche of the North and the West to attend, and it is indeed expected that at least some of the Northern & Western Governors and Congressmen will be in attendance with their families in hopes of meeting old allies or forging new ones. That said, this is still a luxury club in the District of Columbia so blacks, social outcasts and those whites too poor to actually afford admittance are still not welcome; if they want in, they're going to have to sneak past both McLean's security team, as well as any guards the various families bring with them.

[Xion]

A small convoy of several carriages arrive outside McLean's after some individual carriages have cleared the entrance, allowing the Rondelles of New Orleans to exit their carriages first with several men wearing plain suits or old military ceremonial uniforms, clearly drawn from ex-Marine friends of Maximilian or from the Rondelle's mercantile empire. Next was a more ornate carriage of a French design belonging to the Quebecois or Canadian branch of the family, whose guards are dressed in some old ceremonial uniforms, likely from France and one or two plainly dressed ladies remaining close to one of the Rondelle women, all three seeming to observe everything they walk for some hidden danger.

The next carriage, another French import, has the Ambassador of France in it, Comte Sebastian Rondelle, clearly invited by his brother or father to the event along with several guards from the Embassy and two men and women appearing to be servants hired by the embassy. The final two in the small train bear the Rondelles of Baltimore, the less renowned branch of the family and a handful of guards.

[chesser2538]

Jacob Thompson arrives shortly after in his own private carriage, his elegant suit is embellished with his many military medals.It has been sometime since he has last visited the United States capital, having resided within the great nation of Texas since before even its independence; having only ventured no further than Charleston for business arrangements. The sight he beholds is both a state of awe at the wheels of progress, and a sense of nostalgia full of memories of accompanying his father here so many years ago along these very streets. As he descends the steps of the carriage he again questions if his excursion here is with merit. Always and ambitious man Thompson is not one to pass up an opportunity to build alliances as well as gain intelligence, and while he firmly believes that an independent Texas is the best course for his country, he is still cunning enough to see all possible outcomes. If Texas is truly on the course for war than Thompson will see that it is on the road for success by gaining as much aid as possible. Thompson proceeds to make his way toward the ballroom while escorting his lovely date Clara; a fine southern bell and eldest daughter of a notable business tycoon. They are followed behind by his personal guard; a contingent of well-built veterans of the Texas Revolution. As Thompson enters he wonders if a certain Whig rival will be making an appearance.