Chapter Forty-Seven - In Which Lucy Does Politics


    Chapter Forty-Seven - In Which Lucy Does Politics


    The cost of a vote?


    Currently, a single citizens vote is averaging out at approximately 1,245 credits each, at the going rate. That can change a lot.


    Last election cycle the cost dropped when a mobile game company traded votes for waifus. It was one of the most popular elections in a while!


    --Interview with Nimbletainments CPO, 2035


    ***


    Burringham--I dont know why, but some people just had a sort of... family-name only kind of face, and Jeff here was definitely one of those--took a moment to glance around the store while standing in the entrance. His gaze swept right by me without ever lingering before his attention was caught by one of the butler-looking guys.


    He started to chat with the butler, an easy, happy chatter that seemed to put even the uptight butler at ease. The two of them started to move towards a booth that the butler was gesturing at--Burringhams secretary in tow--when Lucy and I intercepted them.


    Hey there, I said with an easy grin. Youre Burringham, right?


    Jeff Burringham, he said with a handsome smile. A pleasure. I didnt expect to meet anyone that knew me here! He glanced at the store clerk, one eyebrow raised in an obvious question.


    The man cleared his throat. This is Miss Stray Cat and her companion; she is a local samurai.


    Burringhams other eyebrow joined the first. A samurai! Thats wonderful! To think that I shop at the same place as one of our protectors. He extended a hand my way, and without really thinking I shook. A pleasure to meet you, Miss Stray Cat. Ah, it is Miss, correct? She-slash-her?


    Yeah, I said. Actually, Im here because you are.


    Really? Im hardly that famous, at least not yet. I hope nothing Ive done has been so abhorrent as to require the intervention of a samurai.


    I shook my head. No, not what youve done. Come on, if you still want to shop or whatever, then thats fine. I want to chat, not interrogate you or whatever.


    I knew that no matter what that guy would be on edge. It reminded me a bit of the very, very infrequent visits by psychiatrists and social workers of that sort at the orphanage. They never directly questioned the kittens that thought weirdly, they always tried to play that Im actually your friend card before that. This time I was playing the part of the corporate-paid shrink though.


    Certainly, though first I would love to introduce myself to your lovely friend here. He smiled at Lucy and extended a hand to her. Instead of shaking it though he bowed over it and kissed the air over her knuckles. You must be Miss Stray Cats girlfriend, I presume?


    Yeah, Im Lucy, Lucy said. She had a bit of a flush toher cheeks, but it disappeared almost as soon as it had appeared. Howd you know? Good augs?


    No no, augs wont tell you that kind of thing, not at first glance, he said. But body language, that will. You two seem close. After that it was all an educated guess. So! Clothing!


    It was pretty close, I said. But now youre running for mayor. Im curious about your stance on the city not having any water thing.


    Burringham hummed. Ill be entirely honest with you, Miss Stray Cat. This is the first Ive heard of this situation. He turned towards his secretary. Did we know about it at all?


    It was a low-priority situation on our docket for the week. Filed in with a few other infrastructure issues, the secretary said. We did receive some news about a couple of samurai in the sewers yesterday, but it wasnt flagged as overly important. I can also confirm that the mayor spoke to a samurai yesterday, presumably Miss Stray Cat.


    Interesting, Burringham said. How many people are likely to be impacted by this? I know the question is a little callous, but its something I need to know.


    Anyone that has a toilet in their home, or who likes running water, I said.


    Burringhams frown grew. And what did the mayor say?


    Mostly he seemed to think that bottled water sales would go up, I said.


    Burringham crossed his arms. The election is in four days. A few people have tried to postpone it, myself included, but the mayor and his party insisted that we hold it on its scheduled time anyway. We wanted to push it back because in times of crisis, politics arent on peoples minds, and keeping the status quo is often easier than moving people around. But this might change things.


    Not for the better, I said. Its the poor folk that are going to get fucked over the most.


    I can imagine, yes. Burringham swiped his hand before him, and the screen started to play some generic footage of models in nice clothes. Alright. People need water. I agree with you on that, and besides, its such an obviously good stance to take that Id be an idiot not to. But that doesnt mean that Ill be able to do all that much, even if I do slip into the position of mayor. Theres a lot of entrenched groups to move.


    Like who? I asked.


    He shook his head. Miss Stray Cat, can I make a proposition?


    You can try.


    The gala Im holding tomorrow. Would you be willing to show up? Bring your beautiful friend as well, of course. If you help me gain the mayors seat, then Ill turn the revamping of the sewage system into my highest priority issue.


    His secretary looked up. Sir, that might be an unpopular stance to take.


    No, it wont, he said. Not the moment people start to run out of water. The mayors going to try to pin the failure on me, saying Im sabotaging it to make my cause look better, but with Miss Stray Cat saying otherwise people wont believe him.


    I dont know how keen I am on doing politics, I said.


    Burringham laughed. Miss Stray Cat, your being here means that youre already doing politics. Congratulations!


    ***