It's the mid-1920's and Adolf Hitler is rising to power in the “back alleys” of Europe – a.k.a. the remains of Germany from WWI. But no one is really concerned with him, for two reasons; first, post-war Germany is a wasteland and second, there are bigger fish in the proverbial sea right now than a Charlie Chaplain wannabe. After all, the recent assassination of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Winston Churchill, has everyone's attention and we all know who did it but no one will talk. The New York World blames Italy and Italy takes it, because they would rather take on all of Britain than face Joseph Pulitzer himself. The editor-gone-dictator left his impression on us all in WWI, and the smoke still lingering over Germany 5 years later keeps his might fresh in our minds. Amidst all the mayhem of Churchill's demise, Hitler was able to sneak in under the radar and easily succeed at the Beer Hall Putsch, therefore never going to prison and therefore never writing Mein Kampf. Of course, his success in the potentially historical coup afforded him the position of leader over...
Meanwhile, back in the flourishing land of America (once a democracy), George Randolph Hearst wanders the streets of Pulitzer City, New York. As he passes the massive office buildings and publishing houses, he smirks tiredly at the shiny slogan overhead: Pulitzer City – Home of The World. “Freedom of speech really backfired,” he thinks to himself. Free to speak as long as it complies with what's printed in The World. People hustle and bustle by with glazed eyes and half-smiles, pretending to agree with what they read. As long as it's cheap.
In a world where the pen is indeed mightier than the sword, a young and aspiring novelist sets out to challenge the press and the god who runs it. Fortunately for him, he has a nearly one-way ticket to the top, as his father handles Mr. Pulitzer's personal property affairs from St. Louis to Portland, Maine. A few favors and cordial greetings gets 20 year-old George Hearst a desk on the 34th floor of the Pulitzer Journalism Tower, and now he must bide his time and wait for the opportune moment to make his mark.
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