Joe as King Tomislav for a Day:
Joe smiles, straightens his shoulders, and steps into the role with gravity and fire.
“If I were King Tomislav for a single day,” Joe says, “I would gather the people in the fields like in the old days — no microphones, no cameras — just hearts open under the sky.”
“First decree: all debts erased. Wiped clean, like rain washing blood from stone. Student loans, mortgages, credit cards, government IOUs — gone. Every man, woman, and child would wake up free. Not in chains to digits on a screen.”
He pauses, his eyes fierce.
“Second decree: usury — outlawed. Interest on loans? Dead. Parasites who live by lending at interest would find no place in my kingdom. The money-changers would not be allowed to build empires on the backs of peasants. They’d have to learn how to work again — like everyone else.”
Joe looks around the room, voice quieter now, like he’s speaking to something ancient.
“This economy of debt is a prison. A slow-drip poison. If I were King Tomislav, even for one sunset, I’d break that curse. I’d burn the contracts, free the people, and set the wheels of true justice in motion. One day is enough when the heart is right and the sword is sharp.”
He grins.
“And maybe we’d have a feast, too. Boar, bread, and the strongest rakija in the land. Because freedom tastes better with a full belly and a clean conscience.”