[Cerebus: High Society]

[Cerebus: High Society] Cerebus #26-50.
Cerebus' adventures lead him to Iest, the most cosmopolitan of cities in Estarcion. Tired, digruntled, and muddy, Cerebus unknowingly wanders into the Regency, where he is waited on hand and foot once his name is mentioned. Before long, Cerebus' popularity has grown to such heights that his contingencies try to machinate his rise to Prime Minister!
Introduces: Astoria, Dirty Drew & Fleagle McGrew, Duke Leonardi, Filgate, Lord Rodney, and The Regency Elf.

1413

Before Cerebus #26: Lord Julius
Business men try going through the channels of Palnu's government. One got stuck when he reached the "undersecretary of the External Affairs Task Force on Aging in the Streets." There is a directory of Palnu's government agencies available. Send some money for a copy, and get a letter back saying, costs have gone up send more money. Send more money, and get a letter saying, thank you for donating to "Lord Julius' study group examining metropolitan forestry." Unfortunately, you need the directory to find out who to get the money back from.

Cerebus #26 "High Society":
Day 1.
Cerebus arrives at the Regency in Iest expecting his kind not welcomed among the upper crust, only to find that his name reputation as Lord Julius' Kitchen Staff Supervisor has preceded him - free rooms and free meals.
Since Lord Julius himself is not accessible to most people, Cerebus in the Palnu cabinet is the next best thing and offer him money to remember their names and products.
Yet all Cerebus wants to do is get into a fight to take the edge off, but locals of all social-standing are killing him with kindness and showering him with gifts. Early evening - late night.

Cerebus #27: Drew McGrew Fleagle McGrew
Days 2-8.
On his return storll to the Regency, Cerebus is attacked by two would-be kidnappers, the McGrew brothers, whom he makes short work of. He parades them to a nearby hotel, where the three become part of a hoax to collect on ransom from the Iestan government. While they wait, lots of , drinking, cheating, and structural damage ensue. Morning the next day. Cerebus "held" for seven days.

Cerebus #28 "Mind Games II": Po
Day 8?.
Once knocked unconcious by the McGrew brothers, Cerebus finds himself in a surreal dreamlike environment conversing once again with Suenteus Po, this time in the Eighth Sphere. Over the course of the conversation, politics and religion are discussed, and Cerebus begins to suspect his counterpart's identity is not as it was told.
More is learned about the Cirinists, Kevillists, and Illusionists.

Cerebus #29: Elf
Days 9-10.
Upon awakening, Cerebus finds that the Iestan Prime Minister expects him to repay the ransom. When Cerebus visits Hobbsgate Prison the evening after waking up, the prisoners have "been standing for two days". He talks to the prison-bound McGrews though, he finds that the only ransom was "a statue of a duck". He soon meets the fabled Regency Elf, a sprite like creature that only shows herself to Cerebus, and starts working on a scheme to rebuild his financial affairs, aided by the Elf's gossip and occasional games of Croquet.

Cerebus #30: MoonRoach
Days 10-12.
Upon meeting with Iest's desperate Prime Minister, Cerebus is persuaded to "work off" his debt by using his leverage to get Holland M. Hadden to cancel a debt with Iest. Mere seconds away from completing this task, things are thrown in the air as a two ton stone moon is dropped out of the sky onto Mr. Hadden by none other than the Moon Roach!
An audit will begin next week, PM should stay solvent for 9 days. Will give out at ~day 21 (Cerebus #30), could last longer with more money.
Suenteus Po's account of the 1413 election makes it clear that the Grand Inquisitor had been bought off by the Prime Minister a goodly time before his assassination, so this coming audit must be a separate project initiated by His Holiness, not part of the original Inquisition. Also, the Grand Inquisitor's assumption of the title "Earth-Born Messenger" probably happened before the start of this book, as the fake albatross sent by the Kevillists was probably related to the flood of prophecies that he was fulfilling.

Cerebus #31: Astoria
Day 12. Same evening.
After chasing the Moon Roach back to his "lair", Cerebus is greeted by his girlfriend, Astoria who recounts both how she came to meet the Roach as well as how he became the Moon Roach. "It felt... like he was having an origin."
Astoria also describes how his alter ego is now known as "Kevitch" and that she has begun to program a third personality inside him, which she controls.
The presence of Inquisition priests indicates that the Exodus Inward has not yet started. Also, the Grand Inquisitor was apparently killed while Astoria still had control over the Roach, as "the Grand Inquisitor was the one who advocated excluive trade with Palnu" which Astoria would obviously be against.

Cerebus #32:
Days 12-~21.
Cerebus is "held over the flames" by the Prime Minister who threatens him with a no-win situation. However, Astoria and the Moon Roach arrive in his suite to present a business proposition. Astoria gets him out of the no-win situation as a sample of her ability.
Cerebus also gets mad at the Regency Elf for making him doubt Astoria's intentions, and we find out why he was trying to avoid such an occurrence. As a result of the Elf's scheming Astoria gets high on some narcotics. In her relaxed state, declaring she'd start drooling if she got any more relaxed, she tries to seduce Cerebus. The Moon Roach, walks in to find them lying on the floor together.
This is the last time we see a priest for quite some time, as soon after this, the Exodus Inward starts (exactly when is unclear).

Cerebus #33 "Friction":
Days 21-22.
After breaking in on Cerebus and Astoria in seemingly comprimising positions, MoonRoach decides to go solo and drops a moon on Governor of the Legislature. Astoria is quick on the damage control, and takes off to lead the city legislature through it's current crisis.
Cerebus has his own troubles with the Elf. Messages about Cerebus' bathroom practices are showing up in public places signed, "You Know Who." To top it all off, Cerebus hears Elrod approaching.
The Prime Minister probably runs out of money right around now. Luckily for him, the Exodus Inward starts sometime around now, so the audit ceases to be an issue. His government is still on the brink of collapse, but the immediate threat has been averted. It is suggested that Cerebus "try for his Holiness' job..."

Cerebus #34 "Three days before": Bran Mak Mufin
Day 22.
Taking Astoria's words too seriously, all Cerebus wants to do is stay out of trouble for one day. That afternoon - Cerebus "stays out of trouble" with Elrod, Bran Mak Mufin (Cerebus #5) and the Roach, "costing" himself 500 crowns (plus the 50 crown bribe to the taxi driver).
Lord Julius will be holding "PetuniaCon" in Iest this year. Lord Julius has finally decided to do something about Cerebus' activities in Palnu's name. Apparently, the post of "Ranking Diplomatic Representative of Palnu in Iest" is, when in dispute, elected by the Iestan legislature. Lord Julius intends to make Elrod the new representative.
Cerebus is 28. Jaka buys Cerebus' sword.

Cerebus #35 "Two Days Before":
Days 23-24.
Astoria plots to keep Cerebus in his current office by buying him a suit and swaying the Prime Minister of Iest, and persuading the business community at large that it would be in their best interests to have someone other than Lord Julius laying out Iest's financial future.
During the meeting nobody except Cerebus notices that Lord Julius is serving their coffee. Cerebus gets a note from Jaka, asking him to meet her.
"The Church will retreat before him and turn inward..." This is the Exodus Inward (Cerebus #32, 42).

Cerebus #36 "The Night Before": Jaka
Day 24.
Out of Cerebus' past comes Jaka. While he was supposed to be meeting with Astoria and the Prime Minister, he's actually having a conversation with the woman who loves him (despite the fact that it seemed like just "business" to her at their first meeting).
Cerebus has only vague memories of his first encounter with Jaka, but knows he was in love with her (Cerebus #12).
Jaka admits she's broke and would like to live with Cerebus, but refuses his offers after he mentions that Astoria told him old "friends" would come out of the woodwork.
Cerebus defines happiness as power over others. Apparently, the general impression is that Cerebus and Astoria are lovers. Cerebus manages to be perfectly insulting, although it's clear that he cares for her as well and just can't express it.
Jaka leaves him with the last of her possessions - his old sword (Cerebus #12) that she spent all of her money buying from a salvage merchant. Jaka says the salvage merchant claimed the sword "was like no metal he had ever seen before."

Cerebus #37 "It's Showtime!": Elrod
Day 25.
With PetuniaCon underway, Cerebus and Astoria think his title of "Ranking Diplomat" is all that hangs in the balance until Bran suggests that he may be more suited to be the next Prime Minister! Also features the showdown of the quick-draw... Cerebus trees vs. Elrod Bunnies, plus sketches of all kinds from a familiar artist (Cerebus #25).
A representative asks Cerebus what it's like to be living with Lord Julius' ex-wife, Astoria.
Astoria counts votes (67 are needed for a majority). Astoria has gotten support for Cerebus from 63 of them. The representative from "Dadocks" is Filgate.

Cerebus #38 "Petuniacon ...Day Two": K'Cor
Day 26.
Cerebus sits on a couple of discussion panels with Elrod, Lord Julius, and K'cor - king of Imesh (Cerebus #9). The representatives are clearly on Elrod's side, and Cerebus loses his temper. Cerebus attacks Elrod - who sports SeerSucker 2 (Cerebus #3), but Astoria convinces Cerebus to stop by telling him all the perks he'll get as Prime Minister, but that he won't get them if he gets lynched after killing Elrod.
"The government will collapse within days" is consistent with Cerebus #30's forecast, with the PM having bought some time with the tarriff increase (Cerebus #32) and then the Grand Inquisitor's death and the subsequent Exodus Inward.

Cerebus #39 "Petuniacon, Day Three": K'Cor
Day 27.
Blakely, a man of some influence in Iest, meets Cerebus to see if Cerebus is "the right aardvark for the job". A typical meeting ensues with appearences by Julius (to confuse Blakely), the McGrew Brothers (newly escaped from prison and looking for revenge), the Roach (who stops the McGrew brothers), Elrod and the Elf. It's Cerebus' tactical denial of even having seen the Elf that convinces Blakely to back Cerebus.
The Exodus Inward is already underway (Cerebus #32).
Sometime in that period, the Roach "mooned" the Grand Inquisitor (Cerebus #39, 42).
Cerebus is attempting to lose his third-person speaking habits, as they are associated with the barbarians in the north. Around now, New Sepra runs out of money to pay interest on Palnu's loans. During this time period, Moon Roach occasionally visits Michelle (Church and State 1)

Cerebus #40: roach
Cerebus begins campaigning in the Docks and Area, Grace District, Iest and Suburbs and Lower Iestwith entourage in tow (Astoria, Bran, Blakely, and the three bodyguards: Moon Roach & the McGrews).
Astoria set the conditions of support for most of the areas, the local Cirinist Abbess sets her own conditions.
Lord Julius is running a goat against Cerebus, and together they visit the Cirinist Abbess.
Bran says that Upper Felda is "preparing for a major offensive in the spring" on Lower Felda. The Cirinist invasion waits until mid-summer (Cerebus #150). Lord Julius and his goat visit the Abbess.

Cerebus #41 "Heroes": Theresa
The campaign continues, in Oldham and other places. Cerebus is planning on support from Good Abbey (with 15 votes) that Astoria does not know about. Cerebus believes he has 57 votes guaranteed, exactly what he needs to win. Astoria, not knowing about the Grace District deal, believes Cerebus to have 42, not enough to be elected.
Theresa - the former student of Prof Claremont (Cerebus #23-25)- joins as Astoria's protege.
Moon Roach becomes distraught over Astoria's lack of interest in him; a print war begins, which is odd since no area of Iest has higher than 10% literacy; the Elf tells Cerebus that Astoria is looking for an important antique -- of an Albatross duck. Enough time has passed during the campaign that the Roach and Dirty Drew have had time to visit Maggie's cathouse (several times?).
It's probably during this time period that Lord Julius visits Storm'send Manor. The Department of Electoral Management sends out ballots around this time.

Cerebus #42:
A long tract form Po's history. Mounting a last minute tour for additional support, the group trudges to the furthest corners of Iest, including Storm'send Manor, Oldcastle, Parmoor, and Garrison.
Cerebus does some secret campaigning, behind Astoria's back. He offers bribes to the commanders of the border fortifications in exchange for their support. Cerebus sits back enjoying the warmth of the Regency, thinking about Astoria suffering in the cold looking for more votes that she doesn't know Cerebus already has.
Moon Roach determines that snow is "Frostonite...fragments of intense cold formed when the Moon Roach's native planet Froston exploded."
Meanwhile, the print war has heated in the final weeks before the election. Will the next PM be an aardvark or a goat?
A day or two pass at the beginning of the issue.

Cerebus #43:
Tensions, political parties, and soldiers run high, during which the votes arrive at the Regency from Iest's provinces. Lord Julius' goat takes an early lead. Cerebus makes plans for armed rebellion if he loses. Lord Julius discovers he's sold all his soldiers to run his campaign and buy squid shaped bathtub.
As votes are announced and numbers are tumbled, a strange occurrance takes place... a single missing vote yields a tie!
Oscar is in the audience (Jaka's Story).

Cerebus #44:
A hasty ride out to Northbell in wint'ry weather is needed to find out who gets the one uncast vote... Cerebus or Julius' goat! The Roach and Astoria get locked in a moonshine shed so that Northbell's leader can have a private word with the candidate. He was hoping no one would notice the missing vote. According to him it was, "the good Father's natural justice at work, paying me back for aiding and abetting polyticians in the commission of an election."
The day after, back in Northbell. At least a week passes after this issue for the "temporary bridge" to be built.

Cerebus #45 "Cerebus' Six Crises: Crisis Number One":
He gote the final vote! As he enters office, Cerebus must calm the government employees and diplomats while tending to his dream of conquest. After selling land to one enemy, he uses the money to buy foces from another to capture the treasury in Beduin in Lower Felda.
Lower Felda turns out to be no prize, and Lord Julius sends his congratulations - and a bill for Lower Felda's outstanding debts.
Events move quickly in this period, but a number of days must pass. The events from "On Governing V" (Cerebus #59) may well have happened in the week between these two chapters.

Cerebus #46 "Summit Enchanted Evening": Leonardi
Lord Julius of Palnu and Duke Leonardi of New Sepra stop on by to discuss the future relations of their respective territories, boundaries, and interest rates. Lord Julius' suggestion that the New Seprans are stupid and rich causes Cerebus to change his plans of conquest, so he does!
Cerebus also gets a couple of Tarimite bishops totally sloshed. From them he finds out the secret of the Albatross revealed at last! Arnold the Isshurian arrives with a windfall.
Events move quickly in this period, but a number of days must pass.

Cerebus #47 "Crisis Number Three":
We meet another(?) Suenteus Po, an Anarcho-Romantic. Sgt.
Preston kicks butt.
Lord Julius pulls the rug out from under Cerebus' bankroll by cutting the value of the New Sepran crown, forcing Cerebus to send Bran for the Pigt armies.
Moon Roach, in an attempt to be helpful, causes Cerebus all kinds of internal problems.
Lower Felda beats back Iest's armies. In the midst of many setbacks, Iest is invaded by barbarians.
Events move quickly in this period, but at least 7 days must pass.
Sometime around now Astoria makes a despairing entry in her Private Journal (Women). Cerebus wishes for a mountain of gold (Minds).
1414

Cerebus #48 "Crisis Number Four":
Cerebus does his best to hold things together, not succeeding very well. The Hsiffies are invading, the Anarcho-Romantics are making silly demands, and Cerebus has serious financial strains. Cerebus deals with most of his troubles in his typical fashion, especially the Anarcho-Romantics.
Things get worse when the mercenaries find the New Sepran treasury empty, and Cerebus well as they leave.
Jaka tries to convince him to leave. Jaka's visit hints at a much deeper conspiracy that is interested in Cerebus.
Roughly two days pass.

Cerebus #49 "Crisis Number Five: the Last Stand":
Cerebus is totally drunk from four bottles of Borealan Whiskey as things fall to pieces around him. Astoria steps in for him.
Moon Roach tries to bring Cerebus out of his dazed state (thinking Cerebus was "doped") with a bucket of water.
Preparations are made for Astoria and Cerebus to flee to Eshnospur, but at the last minute, the invaders turn out to not be Hsiffies. It's the Conniptins (Cerebus #8-9).
Seems to be all the same day.

Cerebus #50 "Crisis Number Six: Denouement":
The New Pontiff of the Tarimites surrounds the Executive Mansion with tarimite troops. All of Cerebus' advisors, except Astoria, go crawling back to the Church. The Exodus Inward is over.
Cerebus walks out on Astoria, who was already making plans to rebuild their power elsewhere. Cerebus goes back to the Regency to get his stuff and say goodbye to the Elf. In the process he discovers something that could have given him the power he had lacked when his plans fell apart. He literally throws away the now useless symbol, and walks away.
Suenteus Po the Anarcho-Romantic starts writing The Six Crises in his jail cell.
The issue opens at least the next day, possibly several days later. A "few months" have passed since the Exodus Inward started One day passes during this issue.
Theresa flees to Lower Feldan embassy (Cerebus #60).

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