Chapter Forty-Seven - In Which Lucy Does Politics


    <strong>Chapter Forty-Seven - In Which Lucy Does Politics</strong>


    <em>The cost of a vote?</em>


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


    <em>Last election cycle the cost dropped when a mobile gamepany traded votes for waifus. It was one of the most popr elections in a while!</em>


    --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 nce 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 nced at the store clerk, one eyebrow raised in an obvious question.


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


    Burringhams other eyebrow joined the first. A samurai! Thats wonderful! To think that I shop at the same ce 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-sh-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 y that Im actually your friend card before that. This time I was ying 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 nce, he said. But bodynguage, that will. You two seem close. After that it was all an educated guess. So! Clothing!


    We all moved over to one of the booths that was nearest. It was wider than some of the others, and without the more concealing walls to the sides. Perfect for a smaller group like ours to chat next to. The butler-clerk faded into the background, as did Burringhams secretary.


    Im looking for an outfit for a g Im holding tomorrow night. Its a big affair. Lots of folk from a few industries, some political types, plenty of paparazzi and those sorts. You know the kind of event Im talking about. Really shouldnt have put off finding an outfit until thiste, but Ive been run ragged these past few weeks, and when the incursion happened, well, that ruined more than one n, I think.


    I can imagine, I said.


    Its going to be memorable, I hope. He stepped up before the wall of the booth and the image of him before us was suddenly wearing a well-tailoured suit. A bit too in, dont you think?


    I looked at the suit, then shrugged. I guess. ck goes with everything.


    Including the background, you wont stand out in that, Lucy said.


    Burringhamughed. Good point! So, Ive been chatting for a bit, but thats hardly fair to you, I imagine your time is important.


    Its... somewhat urgent, yeah, but the kind of urgent thats best considered. If that makes any sense.


    It makes plenty of sense, he said. Miss Lucy, do you think I could do ck with a brighter shirt and tie underneath, or should I try something entirely different?


    Feels like undepensating, Lucy said as she eyed the disy.


    Burringham nodded and with a swipe of his hand the outfit disappeared. Lets try some more colour then. What kind of urgent but not situation are you dealing with here?


    I considered where to start for a moment before I jumped into it. The sewers. I dont know if it made it to any of the important media feeds, but the entire citys sewer system is... basically fucked. We have a day or two, I think, before it starts to copse. Then itll probably go all Jenga tower on us.


    That is somewhat urgent, yes, Burringham agreed. He frowned at his own image, and I noticed that he was only idly switching tie patterns while he thought. Alright, so we have an issue on our hands. Im going to assume that repairing the entire sewage system wont be all that easy?


    The people that used to take care of it have probably disbanded, I said. I dont actually know. Maybe theyre still down there working to give us all a bit more time, but I doubt were that lucky.


    I see, he said. So, have this incredible problem on your shoulders, and on your quest to solve it... you reach out to me.


    Yup.


    He nodded. Because Im running to be mayor. Which means youve spoken to thest mayor.


    I did. He didnt seem to give much of a shit. I had killed my share of people that day, so I just left. I tapped my hand on the hilt of the sword poking from my hip.


    Killing him wouldnt have helped, I dont think. Imend you on your restraint.


    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 gged 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 y 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 g 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 unpopr 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.


    Burringhamughed. Miss Stray Cat, your being here means that youre already doing politics. Congrattions!


    ***