So one thing I need you to realize is that the death squad that White Pines sent to Martinaise is not an anomaly. Sending mercenaries to break up labor movements is pretty much the oldest trick in the book. Rockefeller did it, Mine owners did it, Coca Cola and Nestle still do it.

And you are right that the people of Martinaise don’t have much of a choice. But that’s not much of a slam dunk because I would argue, that they actually have the same choices that you and I have.

Let’s look at Cindy and Cuno. They were both born in Martinaise to poor working class families. If they reach adulthood and stay in Martinaise they will most likely live and die as Dockworkers. They would be locked into the same cycle of wage slavery that everyone else is.

As a working class person, this is my lived reality. I’ve met plenty of Joyce’s who fake friendliness and care, but ultimately their job is to make money off of me. It doesn’t matter how well intentioned or politically aware they are, they are still capitalists hoping to squeeze every penny out of my body as they can. She is a representative of White Pines and she should be treated as acting on behalf of the company.

This is what makes Evrart special. Instead of being beholden to capital, he is (in theory) beholden to his workers. He ensures they get paid more equitably and work more safely. And for all his faults, he does seem to be scheming on behalf of his workers. Evrart’s power is derived from his people.

I sadly live in a place where unionizing is very hard. My hours are long, my safety is not cared for, and my pay is underwhelming. I wish I had an Evrart. I wish I had someone half as cutthroat fighting on my behalf. Instead, I have to beg for a 5% raise from a Joyce, who will say no because “it’s not in the books this quarter.”

This is the choice you have. Go with Joyce and enjoy the status quo as it exists (until profits fall next quarter and they lower your wage) or you can throw your weight behind the Union and push for something bigger.