The Elected

The Elected

There was recently an election in a city in the USA. The elected individual had the first name of Blake, and he had a supporter who had the first name of Eric. After Blake won his election, Eric requested that they meet at a local bowling alley to both celebrate and talk. Much to the chagrin of Blake, Eric arrived two hours late, but Blake, being the gracious host that he was, greeted Eric friendlily and graciously.

“Hello Eric,” greeted Blake, “what can I do for you.”

“I am happy that you agreed to talk to me here,” responded Eric, “I don’t think that I was followed here, or that there are any cameras here.”

“What do you mean,” asked Blake, who began to sound nervous, “I thought that you said that you were good at being discreet.”

“I am very discreet,” responded Eric angrily who was annoyed that Blake questioned his competence, “I checked multiple times to confirm that I wasn’t being followed.”

Blake began to sound and look more nervous as Eric became more annoyed. “Alright, I didn’t mean anything by it,” reassured Blake, “I thought that you didn’t have any problems being seen with other people in public.”

“I don’t,” replied Eric, “what happened, happened almost a decade ago.” “I made sure that it is almost completely forgotten,” continued Eric angrily.

“Not to sound annoying, but how can you confirm that,” asked Blake.

“For the million time, I checked the news on both the paper and TV,” responded Eric, “it appears that people have forgotten about it and moved on.”

“Have you tried talking to any of my constituents to make sure that they have forgotten about what happened,” asked Blake nervously.

“Can it,” replied Eric, “even if they do talk about it, they probably have more important things to talk about anyways.”

“Alright,” replied Blake who sounded more reassured, “is there anything else that you want to talk to me about.”

“Yes, there is,” responded Eric, “and don’t talk about it directly.”

“Why not,” asked Blake who clearly wasn’t an experienced politician.

“Because,” responded Eric angrily, “you just don’t in case anyone is following you or accidentally overhears you.” “Also, Blake,’ continued Eric who began to sound more annoyed, “do not question me from now on.”

“Alright,” replied Blake, “you don’t need to bark at me.” “What do you need to talk about,” asked Blake.

“I helped you a lot in the election,” replied Eirc.

“I know,” responded Blake, “and I am grateful for that.”

“Not just that,” replied Eric, “I agree to make campaign donations to you.” “A very generous sum to,” continued Blake.

“Are you sure you want to say that here,” asked Blake. The two were also at the food court where there weren’t that many people there, but the conversation unnerved Blake regardless.

“People make campaign donations all the time,” responded Eric, “you just have to act appropriately with it.”

“Sometimes, I wonder why you didn’t run yourself as you come up with political lines all the time,” responded Blake humorously.

Eric wasn’t as amused. “Hey, it wasn’t easy help you,” Eric replied angrily, “and I expect that you help me in return.”

“Alright, alright,” responded Blake who was beginning to sound more exhausted, “what do you need help with.”

Eric then looked around to check if anyone was eavesdropping on them, and even though he didn’t find anyone listening in, he still spoke about the subject indirectly. “We live in a pretty wealthy city,” replied Eric, “you know that right.”

“Yea, everyone knows that,” responded Blake, “what do you need help with.”

“Shut up and listen,” replied Eric, “are you aware of what field I work in”

“You work in manufacturing if I remember correctly,” replied Blake.

“Not bad,” responded Eric mockingly, “I am a little impressed that you managed to remember that.”

Blake was annoyed by Eric’s insults, but he knew that he was an important figure in the county and decided not to antagonize him. “What do you want me to do when I am in office,” asked Blake.

“Every year, a new budget gets passed,” responded Eric, “you know that right?”

“Yes, I know that,” responded Blake who was trying to restrain himself, “the city talks about it every year.”

“You should also know that the last mayor wasn’t friendly to me at all,” responded Eric.

“Yea, I wonder why,” Blake said to himself. Blake was actually surprised to hear that as he thought that Eric was a celebrated figure in the city despite a few controversies due to charity work. Not wanting to antagonize his ally, Blake continued the conversation in a cordial manner. “Why didn’t he like you, Eric,” asked Blake.

“You actually aren’t bad at feigning surprise,” replied Eric who sounded more friendly than before, “you might actually be a decent politician.”

“Thanks,” responded Blake who wasn’t sure if Eric was being sarcastic or not.

“Wow, I actually said that,” responded Eric, “well you might have promise, but don’t forget that I helped you get to where you are.”

“Alright,” replied Blake who quickly stopped smiling. “Did you have to ruin that moment,” Blake said to himself.

“Back to politics,” responded Eric, “the last mayor didn’t trust me, and didn’t want to pass a budget without talking to me first.”

“You are an entitled prick you know that right,” Blake said to himself. “So, you want me to adjust the budget,” asked Blake. Blake was aware that by saying “budget,” Eric meant something else.

“More than that,” responded Eric who was also eating a sandwich he ordered. “I also need other changes to the budget that are more comprehensive,” replied Eric.

“I am not sure what he is talking about, but I think he will tell me sometime in the future,” Blake said to himself. “I don’t follow,” replied Blake.

Eric looked more amused than annoyed. “of course you don’t,” responded Eric, “we will need to meet again later.”

As the two began to finish their food, Blake had one more question. “Hey Eric,” asked Blake, “why meet here?” “Don’t you think it’s a little weird meeting here,” continued Blake.

“It’s a popular place,” replied Eric, “and we are here at a time where not a lot of people are.” “People will think that we are just two old friends talking,” continued Eric.

“That’s an interesting way to see it,” responded Blake.

“Also, if anyone sees us,” replied Eirc, “say that we are old friends.”

“Wonderful,” Blake said to himself sarcastically. The two then left the bowling alley with Blake more worried than he was a few days prior.