"Hungarians occupy the lowest level of brute existence," Francis Ferdinand declared—"the wild swine by comparison exhibits refinement and nobility—do you think the Chicago Stockyards might possibly be rented out to me and my friends, for a weekend's amusement? We would of course compensate the owners for any loss of revenue."
* * * * * * * * * *
I know this isn't a historical novel (sorry, "an historical novel," for all you "an before every single H word no matter how dumb it sounds" freaks) but until somebody proves to me that this isn't an actual quote by Archduke Ferdinand, it's canon, at least in my mind. People in fandoms usually refer to that kind of canon as "head canon," meaning "it's only canon to me, really." But isn't that what all history is? It's all head canon. That's what I'm learning from reading Mason & Dixon which, also, isn't history. But it has a lot to say about history and how we remember things. And now I'm going to remember that Archduke Ferdinand thinks swine are more noble and intelligent than Hungarian immigrants. I mean, it's just a fact! Not that swine are smarter than Hungarians! The fact is the Archduke thinks that! I'm not the racist here! Probably!
"We would of course compensate the owners for any loss of revenue"
Capitalism! Where the industrialists and railroad tycoons own their employees, and where rich people and royalty see those employees as objects to be bought, sold, or destroyed at their whim.
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