Pittsburgh City Hall, the Mayor's Office.
On the screen, a press conference from the Governor's Office in Harrisburg was being broadcast live.
Aston Monroe stood behind the lectern.
He had changed into a dark blue suit, his tie impeccably knotted.
As the new Governor of Pennsylvania, he wore an expression of profound anguish.
"Citizens, Pennsylvania is bleeding."
Monroe's voice carried a carefully rehearsed solemnity.
"The situation in Pittsburgh is out of control. Certain politicians with ulterior motives are inciting riots for their own personal ambition, destroying the industrial foundation we hold so dear."
"To restore order and protect the safety of three million families."
Monroe picked up a document from the table. It was the Governor's Order for a State of Emergency.
"I have decided to immediately declare a level-one state of emergency in Pittsburgh."
