"The Mayor was discussing the recent news reports about increased tension on the streets and how it might affect community relations," Bill Franklin, the president of the largest bank in the city said. He was part of the old guard, and while I knew he personally was clean, I also knew that his bank served as one of the various filtering mediums for both the Confederation and Owen Lynch. Hell, I even had an account there under one of my alternate identities. "He's also concerned about recent economic shifts that might affect employment in the city. With an election coming up soon, he'd rather not have a poor economy being a distraction from the important social issues he wants to focus on."
"I see," I said, looking around at the other people seated at the table. They represented the apathetic monied interests that frustrated me, but couldn't fight against yet. I needed leverage, and my war with the Confederation and Owen Lynch was the tool I needed. "Well, please go on."
The Mayor continued, and I listened with half an ear as he droned on, while I scribbled a note on the legal pad that Sophie had out. Anything of importance?
Not really. BTW, how was your nap?
Useful. Will tell you about it later.
OK.
I listened as the rest of the meeting went on, the other so-called financial and business leaders blathering on, using big words to basically say they didn't want to do anything other than cover their own asses. Finally, when I couldn't stand it any longer, I spoke up. "Mr. Mayor, no offense, but this meeting seems like a giant waste of time."
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Smiley?" Francine Berkowitz, who represented one of the city's unions sputtered. I had cut her off in the middle of a long winded speech where basically she was saying the unions were going to play ball with the status quo, which I knew meant with either Owen Lynch or the Confederation, depending on which union she was talking about. "How dare you..."
"No Ms. Berkowitz, how dare you," I interjected, cutting her off for a second time. "Let's speak honestly for a moment. This city is on a razor's edge because the criminal elements that have controlled the streets for so long are at each other's throats. Just before coming here, I saw on the local news that a bomb just went off at an airport warehouse, killing one man at his desk. Instead of terrorism, the first idea out of the news reporter's mouth is that it was another strike on whoever is trying to control crime in this city, I didn't have a chance to listen to the theory before coming over here. The fact is that crime controls this town, and all of you have either ignored it, condoned it, or are actively working with it. As a result, while you may have lined your own pockets, the life blood of this city has been slowly choked off for far too long."
I turned to the Mayor, looking him in the eye. "Nobody here has the, excuse the term, the stones to do a damn thing about it. So here's what's going to happen. Me and Sophie here, we're leaving. But before we leave, we're making sure that in the next election, this city gets a Mayor that will actually stand up and try to make things better. I don't give a damn about the party, or what their stance is on Common Core education standards, or whether they like their pizza crust thick or thin. What I care about is if they are willing to do what is needed to break the stranglehold that the criminals in this city have on it."
"That's a lofty goal for someone who's going to cut and run," Berkowitz retorted. "And just how are you planning on accomplishing this goal?"
"The same way that I went from being a nobody in this city to being able to arrive a half hour late for a meeting and get more done in fifteen minutes than you have in years," I said simply, standing up. "By the way, Ms. Berkowitz, how is it that a simple community organizer and union member can afford a custom tailored suits with handmade Italian leather high heels for a business meeting? Mr. Mayor, we can talk later. Have a good day."
The room rumbled while Sophie and I left, and I heard comments behind us. As Sophie and I were making our way through the marble halls of the foyer, I heard someone calling my name behind us. "Marcus! Marcus Smiley!"
I turned and saw the Mayor walking with a purpose towards me, trying not to look like he was rushing after me, but not doing too good of a job. "Mr. Mayor. When I said we could talk later, I didn't think you would want to five minutes later."
"You pissed off a lot of very powerful people in there, Marcus," the Mayor replied, as we turned and kept walking. Coming out into the sunlight of the mid afternoon, we walked across Civic Plaza, stopping by a hot dog cart to grab some food.
"Four big dogs," I told the cart vendor, while Sophie pulled some cash out of her purse. Nodding to her, I turned my attention back to the Mayor. "I know I pissed them off, Mr. Mayor. But those people need to get pissed off. They've been sitting in ivory towers for far too long, meanwhile the very foundation of their towers are sinking in a flood of sewage and shit."
"You have quite a way with words, Marcus," the Mayor replied. "By the way, outside just call me Joe. That Mayor stuff can be saved for the press and official duties. I hope one of those dogs is for me."