—1—

Mary Crawley prided herself on being the first to know everything. Every newscast, every rumor, every story – she wanted to know it all. So, as one can assume, she was the first to know who one the election, and booed the television angrily as Jack Barker's face appeared on camera.

Mary, not wanting anyone to miss a thing, summoned her parents and sister to the living room, where all four of them crowded round the television to watch the result blared loudly by the newsman.

"That's right, folks. Jack Barker has won the election for Prime Minister. Tell us, Jack: What will your first act be?" The newsman held the microphone to England's new Prime Minister.

Jack Barker was a man of average height and relatively good looks. His belief was that everyone ought to have the same privileges, no matter from whom they were born or how they were raised. The Queen of England herself was his main target, and her family. On many occasions, Mary would turn on the television, and immediately shout for the others to join her, for the Royal Family were being interviewed.

Mary's father, Robert, had huge respect for the Royal Family during what he described as "this difficult time." He joined her now, sitting beside her on the sofa. Cora, his wife and Mary's mother, sat fidgeting with her skirt as Jack Barker was once again declared the winner. She usually embraced change, but this was too far.

"As your new Prime Minister," said Jack, "I will personally see to it that the Royal Family will be no more. Furthermore, starting tomorrow, every noble family still in possession of a title and estate will be visited by one of my workers and escorted to their new neighborhood. Our future will be decided by us, not by wealthy and overly-privileged citizens."

The people on the television clapped, but not the Crawleys. Mary crossed her arms over her chest; the whole business of monarchy dismantlement was very upsetting. Her sister, Edith, resisted the urge to run up to the television and give it a nice solid kick with her Yves Saint Laurent heel.

Edith was a strawberry-blonde, with pretty brown eyes and a pale complexion. Of Robert and Cora's three daughters she was the only one who'd never married, although the youngest, Sybil, had died of a seizure four years earlier, leaving behind her widower Tom Branson. Mary, the eldest daughter, was a widow herself, for her husband Matthew was killed in a car crash months after Sybil's tragic departure. Matthew's mother, Isobel, still resided with them, spending most days with Violet, Robert's mother.

Edith reached for the television remote and switched the TV off. The four of them sat in uncomfortable silence for a few seconds, each pondering the question of where they'd be moved to.

"This whole bloody business has gone too far," said Robert at last, shaking his head.

"Where will we go, Papa? Mama?" Edith looked back and forth between her parents. Cora met Robert's eyes for reassurance before answering.

"That's up to Mr. Barker," she said, trying to make the situation come across as gently as possible. Her maternal instinct compelled her to offer help to her daughters, and keeping everyone calm seemed like her best option.

Robert let out his breath slowly. "God help the Queen's family," he said. The others nodded in agreement.

As promised, one of Jack Barker's workers arrived at Downton Abbey the next morning to further explain the plan. The worker's name was Mr. Hepps. Instantly, Mary took a disliking to him. She said so to Tom, who stood next to her.

"Don't shoot the messenger," he replied, although the joke flew by Mary because the atmosphere was so tense.

He and Isobel weren't required to be moved with the rest, since they'd married into the family and held no titles themselves, but both had declared the Crawleys the most important people in the world to them and stayed. Isobel came from the working class, whereas Tom used to be the family's chauffeur. ("Honestly," said Jack Barker, upon hearing of this, "Who still uses chauffeurs?")

Robert and Cora chose to stand beside Violet and Robert's sister, Rosamund. Both women looked incredibly displeased by the entire moving business. Edith hung nearby, close to her beloved aunt, and far away from Mary. The two didn't get along too well, so they usually kept their distance.

The final family member present was Rose MacClare, the daughter of Robert and Rosamund's cousin Susan. She seemed genuinely excited about the move and monarchy dismantlement, much to her family's annoyance. Everything to Rose was an adventure, much like the late Sybil. Both viewed life as a never ending action film, turning its challenges into hurdles they then jumped over, so to speak.

"Prime Minister Barker has made lists for you all," said Mr. Hepps. He reached inside his beige-colored overcoat and produced a thin stack of papers, which he held out to Cora. She took them and began to pass them out to the others.

"This says no pets," said Robert, concerned. "Does that include Isis?" Isis was Robert's Labrador Retriever, whom he was very fond of.

Mr. Hepps stiffened. "You can read, can't you? It says no pets. That includes dogs, Mr. Crawley."

Robert still wasn't used to being addressed by his surname. It was part of the "no titles" rule. He stared at the list in dismay, wondering who would take care of his precious dog.

"Is there a bar nearby?" asked Rose, already thinking about the many parties she could attend once she was free of her title.

"For the first few days, at the very least, no one will be allowed to leave their homes."

Rose groaned dramatically and flopped onto the sofa.

Robert raised his hand ever so slightly to get Mr. Hepps' attention. "Will I have to live with my daughters?"

Mr. Hepps passed around another round of papers. Robert took his and glanced down at it. It listed housing arrangements and, sure enough, he and Cora were sharing a home with Mary. Edith, on the other hand, was placed with Rose and Rosamund in house #4.

"There are two bedrooms per house, so you'll have to figure out who gets what. I suggest married couples share a bed, but extra mattresses can be provided."

Tom, who by now had received the latest paper to be passed around, said nothing as he read: House #2: Isobel Crawley, Violet Crawley, Thomas Branson. He figured such arrangements would be made, seeing as he and Isobel were the two not closely related to the Crawleys, and Violet didn't have a spouse. She could've been put with her children, but Tom had to admit it made more sense that Robert and Cora were together.

"Cars will come by tomorrow to pick two groups up," Mr. Hepps went on. "The final group will move in later, say, in three days' time. Sound good?"

Nobody answered. Nobody thought it sounded good at all.

Cora, Mary, and Robert were the first to move into the neighborhood, named Blanch Plaza. Cora tried to make the most of the situation but it was hard. Even she had to admit the house was a mess. She'd never seen a dirtier neighborhood.

"This is disgusting," said Mary. Her nose was scrunched up like she smelled something awful. Which, in the dump that was now their home, wasn't difficult to believe.

"I think we should appreciate everything we've been given," said Cora gently. "Edith is crammed into a home with the world's most energetic person."

"And my sister, may the Lord help her. Rose isn't going to like house arrest," added Robert. He dropped their suitcases in the middle of their new lounge. He looked around at the room, which was much, much smaller than he was used to. "Does Barker seriously expect us to clean this place without servants?"

"I think so," answered Cora, eyes wide.

Robert sighed. "Ghastly business."

Mary waited until Robert had gone upstairs to unpack before turning to her mama.

"How will you and Papa manage?"

Cora sat down on the dust-covered couch. She patted the space beside her, inviting Mary to join her. She did, but not before wiping off as much dust as she could.

"We'll get by, as will you. I think our biggest problem will be money. According to the many lists we've been given, the Department of Social Services will send us some in the mail each week once the house arrest is up. For now we must rely on what I've brought in my purse."

Cora rummaged around in her handbag until she found her wallet. Unlike the rest of the family, she was adept with handling money, and offered Mary two pounds.

"Thank you." Mary slipped the money into her own purse and kissed her mama on the cheek.

"I wonder if we'll be allowed letters," mused Cora, thinking of her mother and brother back in America. Surely, they'd want to hear from her.

"I do hope so," said Mary. "Tony Gillingham and I were corresponding regularly. As friends, Mama," she added, seeing her mother's look and stressing the word. "He's engaged now anyway, to Miss Fox, who I am sure will make him very happy."

"You know," said Cora thoughtfully, "I think this whole thing is going to be quite an adventure, one full of new experiences. Maybe you'll finally find the second love of your life."

Mary scoffed. "I already found it."

Cora tilted her head. "And who might that be?"

"Not who," Mary corrected. "What. The answer is Downton Abbey, where I shall be content to spend the rest of my days as soon as all this is over."

"If it's over. This will most likely turn out to be permanent, my darling, and you must prepare yourself for the challenges to come."

Mary let her perfect posture slip, leaning on the back of the couch. "I hate challenges," she sighed, wishing she at least had her maid with her.

"Everyone hates challenges. One learns to live with them."

Cora stood up and held out a hand to help Mary to her feet.

"I don't see why I have to," huffed Mary, accepting her mother's hand.

"Because I agree with Mr. Barker on one thing, and that is that, despite what you may believe, you are no different from everyone else."

Mary groaned in disapproval of this statement and went to unpack her things.