Chapter 162
.
John Brown was still uneasy about Lenin's alliance with D'Hoffryn. But for now he was unwilling to break from him completely. Being in Hell, their choices for allies was somewhat limited. One day, Lenin asked Brown to come review some of their new recruits. They included Billy the kid, Jessie and Frank James, Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger. Brown was less than thrilled at some f these new "soldiers." He and Lenin went to talk in private.
.
Lenin: Before you say anything, I remind you we are in Hell, our allies are slim pickings.
John: Jessie and Frank James fought in America's Civil War, for the Confederacy. They were bushwackers, terrorists who slaughtered innocent civilians for not being loyal enough to the slavers. After the war Jessie said he would go around and shoot any african american who wasn't acting like a slave.
Lenin: That was said in a moment of bad temper and extreme excitement.
John: In other words, spontaneous sincerity. My followers were true believers in ending slavery, Jessie James seems like a true believer for the other side.
Lenin: I worked with bank robbers in my day.
John: I thought they were at least dedicated to your cause.
Lenin: Not all of them.
John: Bonnie and Clyde's reputations as "bank robbers" was largely exxagerated. They mainly targeted gas station, grocery stores. They stole from the poor working class. I admit I'm not too familiar with Billy the kid.
Lenin: D'Hoffry recommended him. When Billy was struggling to survive he stole cattle, including from a local cattle baron named John Tussle. Tussle and his posse tracked down Billy, beat him up. But then Billy undid his ropes and held Tussle at gunpoint. But he knew he couldn't take on the entire posse, so he said to Tussle "You have some good men on your posse. Room for one more?" Despite their rocky beggining Tussle and Billy ended up having a good working relationship. When Tussle was murdered by corrupt lawmen, Billy murdered them and became an outlaw.
John: I guess a vengeance demon would find Billy interesting. Are these really the people you trust to lead the revolution?
Lenin: They are not perfect, but yes I believe they can be taught to focus their anger towards constructive uses. And I believe you dealt with corrupt politicians during the Bleeding Kansas conflict.
John: Indeed. Charles Robinson was the governor of the abolitionist governor. He was an opportunist, but he was advancing the cause of abolitionism so we voted for him. He became the first governor of an american state to be impeached. Robinson was no more or less corrupt than the his pro-slavery counterpart, but somehow he was the one who was impeached. Why do you bring up the subject of corrupt politicians?
Lenin: Because I'm considering other allies, allies you might not like. but I would like your support in convincing others to accept them as allies.