Citizens Of Antiford 
When Things Go Sideways
She knows she’s late. She overslept, and Nellie was so very fussy this morning and she had a hard time handing her off to her husband’s mother, and then there had been a stalled out paddock’s carriage in the street and the bobbies were making everyone go around. She hopes Mrs. Dallion will forgive her. She goes to where they keep the key to the backdoor on the little hook by the door in the shed, but it isn’t there. One of the other maids must have forgotten to put it back. She sighs and hopes that somebody left the door unlocked.
She makes her way up to the house. There’s shouting coming from inside, though she can’t quite make out the words. She hesitates just inside the door. Should she ignore the shouting, go about her duties anyway? She decides that she’ll just go and she if she can figure out what they’re shouting about, and decide whether it’s any of her business from there. It’s coming from the front room, and so she hurries forward.
“You idiotic uncultured swine. Even if what you said is true, do you really think that gives the right ton arrest me?” That was Mrs. Dallion’s voice. Her blood went ice cold as she realized that was happening.
“We live in an age of equality, Ma’am,” Someone said, loudly enough, but not shouting. “You don’t get immunity for being a ‘delicate lady’.”
“If we live in an age of equality,” Mrs. Dallion yelled back, “Then you do not get to arrest me for crime that somebody else allegedly committed. Even if that somebody happens to be my husband.”
“It thought you stood behind you’re husband fully and vouched for his good character?” The same man from before asked her.
“Do you get some sort of sick pleasure in twisting my own words against me while you drag me off for my husband’s imaginary crimes?”
“Only in protecting the country, Ma’am.” The man answered.
“Please, we aren’t plotting against Antiford, neither me nor my husband. We’re law abiding citizens who love this country. Please.” She can hear the pleading desperation in Mrs. Dallion's voice.
“We’re taking her into the station, Sir?” That was a different voice, deep, but oddly androgynous.
“Yeah. This is fully above board. Drag her out the front so the whole city can see.”
She heads back to the kitchen. She can’t do anything anyway and if she makes herself known, then the coppers will want to talk to her. She’ll start her work. The steward will make sure she gets paid at least until the end of the week, and then...then they’ll see.