A few hours before the polls opened, Matthew Simon gave the following speech open for attendance by both the public and the media. The following transcript of candidate Simon's speech was released moments after its conclusion and made available via the media and public services such as the Rhydin Public Library. The speech itself was broadcast over several VidNet & AudNet channels for those members of the media and public who could not or did not attend in person.

::the speech, which takes place in a large conference room within the Rhydin Public Library, is set up in a town-hall format, with seats arranged in an amphitheater style. Matt walks freely within the semi-circle, without the use of a podium::

"Good afternoon!

The general election for Governor is upon us and in a few days, we'll all know whom you've decided to elect as your leader for the next year. As I've stressed throughout my campaign, this next year is a pivotal time for Rhydin. We are poised to make great positive strides not only domestically but also beyond our borders. We are Rhydin! We need and deserve someone capable not only of rising to the challenge, but who is best suited to ensure our mutual success. That candidate, I strongly believe, is me.

In the debate several days ago, you all had a chance to listen as we were asked questions on topics that you, the citizens, found important. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, only a few questions were asked and I'm positive we'd have fielded several others had we been able as there are numerous other topics that remain worthy of our time, attention, and response. However, I would like to clarify and respond to two things that I was unable to during the debate. First, let's watch Mr. Wystansayr's response to the question posed by Alain DeMuer, ?"What is your stance for or against the institution of slavery in RhyDin" And if you take no stance, why?""

::on the screen behind him, in the vacant portion of the semi-circle, a video plays of Corlanthis" answer:

"Slavery. Well. Many of you might have heard my stance on that last year. But I was called from the election by a pressing matter. See. I withdrew last year because someone very close to me was enslaved against her will. and I choose not to be a part of a system that allowed such practices to occur. I will not be a party to those events. Let me be quite firm on this. I do not support slavery. I do not support it implicitly. I do not support it explicitly. I do not support it in a house. I do not support it with a mouse. I. Do. Not. Support. Slavery. And this one issue, if you wish to see seriousness from me, you will find it in. Now. Candidate Simon did have one point. And it was a point I was unable to deal with last year. Slavery is entrenched, no denying that. But as Governor we have the tools to remove that infection from the city. Oh, not through anything so gauche aslaws, no. But it is with the business decisions I can make that I can spread the word that Slavery in Rhy'din will not be profitable! Now, I cannot tell private buyers how to conduct business. But as a signatory of the Fair Labor Agreement, I can make the decision not to support it through my actions and the actions of own business. And as Governor, I can do the same for the city itself in all of it's business dealings. Any..ah yes. Anymore questions?"

Once playback completes, the image pauses with an image of the costume-headed Corlanthis remaining mid-gesture for a moment before fading to black. Matt looks away from the screen and meets the eyes of several people within the audience::

"That clip shows perhaps the most poignant speech I've ever heard from a man wearing a large mannequin's head - a man who speaks, albeit in partial disguise, in earnest and seemingly with conviction. And he's right"we all did hear his stance on slavery last year. I want to play that for you now as well."

::the screen fades to black briefly before an image of the 2010 debate appears, with Harris D"Artainian asking, "As at least one of the candidates associates with slave girls, it makes me wonder, what stance do each of you have in regard to SLAVERY' Also. SLAVERY."

The camera then pans to Corlanthis, who after a deep breath and a pinch at the bridge of his nose, answers, "That's a good question and one that deserves an honest answer. I, personally, do not approve of the practice. But, as Governor it is not my job to enforce my prejudices upon the city. It is to provide for the citizens as a whole and do what is best for them. Slavery is, regrettably, an entrenched and valuable trade within the city and I would do my best to support it provided it continues to be desired by the clear majority of the Rhy'din population."

The screen pauses again and then fades to black. Matt lets the words resonate a moment before continuing::

"Just over one year apart and two very different answers. Last year, Mr. Wystansayr told you, specifically, that he spoke honestly. While still opposing slavery, he called it a "valuable trade within the city?, one that he would do his utmost to support. Moments later, he dropped out of the election altogether because, he now says, he so vehemently opposed slavery. Yet, a few seconds before quitting, he claimed that he was being honest that that he'd outright support slavery! At least then, you could look into his eyes and judge his sincerity for yourself. This year, hidden behind a mask, he changed his story completely. Last year, he would buoy slavery. This year, he would rid the city of it outright, at least in regards to business practices.

In contrast, my own stance on slavery, as explained in both last year's and this year's debates, has not changed. It's perfectly within reason that, in the last year, Mr. Wystansayr's convictions may have changed . By no means am I saying that Mr. Wystansayr or any candidate cannot change their minds on slavery or any other issue. Still, I believe there's something duplicitous in Mr. Wystansayr's words and actions. At the end of the debate, he openly admitted, whether in jest or not, that he was soliciting bribes for votes! In my opinion, Mr. Wystansayr's actions at the debate were shameful and I think his campaign is founded upon deceit he hopes to guise by farce. Of course, you will decide for yourselves at the polls not only if this man is the person you want to lead you in the coming year, but if you can trust in his words and actions across all fronts within that capacity of leadership."

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::after a deep breath, Matt continues::

If the last four elections have taught you anything, it's that governmental policies are not, except perhaps in very rare cases, black and white. It's not a simple matter of pro-slavery or anti-slavery, pro-trade or anti-trade, pro-magic or anti-magic. Simplifying an issue, especially a difficult and intricate one, into a black and white situation may serve to stir emotions, provide good sound-bites for the media, or prove an effective tool for getting people to believe something that just isn't true. In reality, though, politics, government, business, our individual lives, they're all complex. To dilute them down to a this-or-that situation does a disservice to the topic of debate and to each and every one of us as individuals.

In my time as Governor, I was as transparent as possible. If I had something to share, I shared. If I didn't have an answer, I was open about not having the answer and I explained the methods by which I was doing my best to provide you with that answer. I proved my ability to understand and overcome complex situations and issues " we worked together through many of them. Whoever is Governor must be able to succeed within and despite those complexities, not become stonewalled by them, overwhelmed by them or worse, tempted to turn them into simple black and white. Such actions will make for poor decisions, poor policy and result in nothing but harm to this city and each of us. We are Rhydin! We cannot afford to turn our city or our lives over to someone ill-prepared for the responsibilities that come with the Governor's office. Ms. Al-Amat, in her closing statement at the debate, said that she's 'someone willing to follow the true will of the people" which, on the surface, is a pleasing sentiment, but it's one that deserves scrutiny. A leader, a true leader, cannot simply follow the people's will " I have argued this before. On the other hand, a true leader cannot ignore or drive away those he or she leads; a true leader must listen to those he leads, but that leader, especially an elected leader, has been entrusted with a great responsibility. Namely, by electing or appointing a leader, the people, each one of you, are saying that you trust that person to make decisions, no matter the situation, in your best interests. That does not always mean following the people's will or bending to the whims of a small faction. During my two years as Governor, I've proven that I act in your best interests, even if that means standing firm against a popular movement. It's my promise that, if elected, I will continue to act in your best interests and those of Rhydin. Why' Because together, We are Rhydin!"

::Matt smiles, takes another breath, and concludes::

"Now, as the polls prepare to open, the time for your decision is at hand. Over this next year, we will succeed, or not, together. We will prosper, or not, together. We will, as one people and city, take steps forward or remain stagnant and still. This year, you have four candidates to choose from, four men and women who have plead our cases to you, who have spoken with you at length, and who have asked for your votes. We each come from different backgrounds with different beliefs and experiences " even when we generally agree with one another on a given subject, we try to convince you that our point of view is the one deserving of your vote. Now after having heard us, you will weigh and measure us and decide which you want as your leader. And that's the most important thing - you're electing a leader, someone you're trusting to not just listen to you but to, in the very end, govern and guide and where necessary, direct you not only as individuals, but as one city. Indeed, We are Rhydin! Once again, I thank you for your time, I ask for your vote and I look forward to us all taking our next steps together. Thank you."