Master Hand, Committee Coordinator and Master of Ceremonies
Please, take your seats. Our first committee meeting will now come to order.
In all of my seventeen years of hosting this tournament, I've never come across an endeavor quite like this. However, such an endeavor is imperative to erasing the scars of the past. 1999 and 2002 were tough years for Smash, and our initial assumption was "out of sight, out of mind". Unfortunately, the inverse of that statement has happened, because instead of healing the wounds, time has caused them to fester. Hopefully, this committee will be a suitable alternate solution to this problem.
At this time, I'd like to invite the organizer and leader of this committee to say a few words. Ladies and gentleman, please welcome Luigi Mario!
[applause]
…
Luigi Mario, Committee Leader and Organizer
Thank you, Master Hand.
The reason why I put together this committee is because, as Master Hand said, past events have left an aggravating sore on the Smash tournament. Namely, what happened during the first tournament in 1999 and during Melee in 2002. Many Smashers, including myself, were badly hurt and buffeted by the endless harassment caused by the tier lists. Friendships were shattered and betrayed, spirits were nearly killed, and in the case of one, major physical scars were left. I think it's time to stop acting like none of this happened.
Those who were directly affected by the tier list will be invited to talk about what happened. In addition, the perpetrators will also be invited to come forward and confess. We will not hear excuses for what they've done. Nor will we hear vain justifications behind their actions. No—they're going to tell us what they did, and they're finally going to be held accountable.
In order to ensure this accountability, the harassed will have the opportunity to confront their harassers, and with our help, they will ask—why? Why did the bullies do such things to them? What made them think it was okay? What motivated them? And we will press on and fight until we get answers.
I'm looking into your faces, and I see that all of you are as passionate about this subject as I am. You want to see justice done as much as I do. And you want to see the arrogant and the haughty brought down to their knees, just as I want to. Today, and the succeeding days, will be when that finally happens. The time has come, and their number is up. There's nowhere left for them to run, and there's nowhere left for them to hide. They're going to man up and for once face the consequences of their actions.
However, we won't accomplish our mission if we yell at or accuse people. I'm counting on you to remain calm during your questioning, and so is Master Hand. Also, I'm counting on you to help me maintain my composure, because seventeen years later, I experience flashes of anger when thinking about what they did to me. Most importantly, acting too aggressively will discourage them from confessing.
If we stick together and remain level-headed, the unsavory events of 1999 and 2002 will be put to rest for good. But either way—the perpetrators behind these events must be held accountable—and they will.
Thank you.
[applause]
Please R&R.
