1 April, 1937.
The Palais Bourbon.
It was the first time since the reconstitution of the provisional government that the ministers were gathered not to deliver justice or manage an emergency but to build something that would last.
Moreau sat at the head of the newly polished conference table, his coat simple, buttons undone.
Before each minister lay an unmarked leather folder and a single sheet of parchment headed.
"Emergency Budget Deliberation: Republic Restoration, April 1937."
President Lebrun, still the nominal head of the Republic, stood quietly at Moreau's side like a solemn witness to the birth of a second state.
Moreau tapped a finger to the table.
The room stilled.
"Messieurs," he began, his voice low, deliberate, "we are not soldiers today. Nor prosecutors. We are builders. We cannot command prosperity, only plan for it. We have a notional envelope of one hundred billion francs. That's the entire capacity of our republic for the coming fiscal year."
