End of 19th century
A steam train in motion. "Long before my independence from the Ottomans, I have tried to find strong support" Serbia narrates. We see her sticking her head as her short brown hair moves away from her face. "I have done so with limited success or poorly at best. It seemed that the monarchies weren't interested in me or my problems. Still, I didn't have the luxury of holding a grudge. Not as such a small nation with two powerful and possessive neighbours" her narration continues.
Serbia looks back into the compartment. There are a few older distinguish-looking men in suits. She is wearing one herself. The narration continues: "I thought I could trust Russia, but after the way he stood by Bulgaria during the Berlin congress, I wasn't so sure anymore." A flashback of Russia tapping Bulgaria lovingly on the head as Bulgaria felt awkward and flattered at the same time. Serbia is in the back. Her face is red and the word 'Jealous' is flickering above her head. "We made amens later; however, my government considered it best to search for new allies." We see the train heading west.
Next scene: At Germany's palace. In the hallway, a palace official walks them through the process.
"Please try not to raise your voice. Flatter him immensely. You are on thin ice as it is" he states extremely serious.
"Me? For what?" she asks confused. "Wait, is this because..."
"I am here to inform you on the rules, nothing more. Whatever your transgressions were, be assured the German Empire will have them in mind during this meeting" the official continues.
"Look, I had a bad day and he hid really badly. Can't I just apologize and start over?" she asks starting to feel nervous.
"You cannot simply start over. Your rank on the value bar had already been set. I suggest you don't lower it any further by antagonizing him" he says as they approach the large door.
Entering the large lavish throne room, they see the young nation standing on top of the carpet covered stairs. Prussia is a few steps back, observing the delegation with a smirk. Germany stares at them silent, inhaling deeply through his nostrils. Serbia fakes a smile but the rest of her face stays terrified.
Next scene: "The atmosphere was much more relaxed at France's place" she narrates as we see France and Serbia sitting ion a garden drinking wine.
He put his glass down and spoke: "I see your problem Serbie, but I am afraid I cannot help much. Your main exports are agricultural products and meats. Both would spoil two times over before reaching my boarder. If you had any industrial products, perhaps we could negotiate but..."
"There is something" Serbia interrupts. She straightens up and states almost ceremoniously: "Ore." France moves his eyebrows up.
"I have lots of it. All kinds. Even had a few mines back in the Middle ages. I would be happy to tell you more if you are interested."
France smiles, pours more wine into her cup and says: "Please do."
We are left with a still-shot of his smiling face as Serbia narrates:"Making France an ally was a very smart thing to do. He turned out very important in years to come. Especially during the Austro-Hungarian sanctions in 1906-08, also known as the Pig War.
Ancient times
An ox-cart tied to a post with a very large ball-shaped knot. The frame zooms in on the knot and we see its many layers. The narrator starts: "The Gordian knot. Made to chose the right king, it was suppose to convey the importance of the mind when it comes to entangling seemingly impossible tasks of ruling."
As we look at the cart, we see a young man coming over with a sword. He swings it and cuts it open in one swing. The young man turns toward us. It is Alexander the Great. He looks at the elders with a proud smile as if he decrypted the secret of the universe. The elders observing this are horrified.
"To those usually inclined to the sword, such decision may seem rational. The knots were too tight and too entangled. Solving it one after the other would take years of effort and a different way of processing the world. But his way was not correct. Brute force was not the answer. His life and death are proof of this."
Next scene: We see the Gordian know floating in space. "Thinking outside the box, letting the mind reach depts previously impossible, we can understand anything." The knot untangles itself and transforms into threat on a loom. A woman with a scarf works on it.
"Our myths follow us. They give us wisdom and shape our world" the narrator continues as we watch the woman make a quilt. "It may take time. Centuries even. But eventually we will find the proper way to untie the Gordian knot. At least metaphorically."