Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3336140" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-thirty-nine “Monday Night Debate”, Monday June 12th, 1882, 6:45 P.M.After leaving the party rally Jake headed home. There he quickly goes about strapping on his second pistol and putting packets of extra bullets in his duster. He then prepares his Spencer rifle for travel and wraps a couple sticks of dynamite in a saddle bag. He leaves these on his bed for later. He takes the pocket mirror from his night stand and drops it in the outside pocket of his duster.Though he has not carried it since he acquired the magical dagger that rides in his boot, Jake locates his old hunting knife. He ties it up to the inside back of his duster so he can draw it over the shoulder unnoticed. He smiles to himself as he does so, it has been a few years since he hooked it up this way. He slips his arms into the leather duster and looks in the mirror."Well Mr. Cook, I think you wear it much finer than that Ringo character did." He test draws the knife a few times, making the necessary adjustments. A short glance in the mirror to adjust his collar and then his hand is holding the knife, but only for a fraction of a second as it flies across the room and sinks point first into the closet door frame. "What are you doing Jacob Alistair Cooke?" he says to his reflection."Why I am preparing for a little of everything." Hands on his hips he asks, "Why would that be?" After a scratching his chin a little he answers, "I am not quite sure what the future holds and I may desire to leave unexpectedly. If I do, I will help to set things in order here in Promise City for my friends. Silver Jake Cook pays his debts and stands by his friends."The sounds of chatter floated out into the street from the brightly lit Town Hall diagonally across the street from where Jake was. Inside it would be a trick to find a seat for anyone who got there much later. Kate slipped inside and looked for any familiar faces to sit with. Minerva and Nakomo enter the hall and stand by the backdoor with the wall against their backs. They subtly survey the room looking for any suspicious characters or activity. Minerva pulls out her mirror, concealing it within the flowing sleeve of her blouse and directs it at people as they enter the room.Judge Isby and Kevin Tomlinson enter the room just before 7:00 and head to the front of the room. Judge Isby goes to the podium and says, “Welcome to the second debate for Town Council. I have a few announcements to make first. The Integrity Party has now officially dissolved. Elihu Upton will remain a candidate for the Town Council position as an independent candidate. Judge Lacey and Joseph Riser will remain as candidates for Town Council for the Unity Party, replacing Helen Barker and Patrick Seawell. Vidkan Gerhardsohn has withdrawn his candidacy for mayor and is now a candidate for Town Council for the Unity Party, replacing Cole Rixton.Ike and Jesse Sherman have withdrawn as candidates for the Liberty Party and Bob Skull has had his name withdrawn from the Freedom Party. Paperwork for replacements for those candidates must by filed in advance of tomorrow night’s debate for new candidates to be included in the debates. To provide a sufficient number of spaces for replacement candidates one scheduled independent candidate has agreed to participate in tonight’s debate instead.”Kate was glad the Unity and Integrity parties had already reorganized so they didn't have to worry about a deadline. She wondered which independent would join tonight’s debate. It would make a volatile night even more interesting. Eight candidates come out onto the stage.The Judge states, “The Candidates for tonight’s debate are alphabetically from left to right Vera Blake who co-owns Drover’s Hotel and Drover’s Livery and is a candidate for the Unity Party, Estaban Fuente who is employed by the El Parador Cantina and is an independent candidate, Vidkan Gerhardsohn who co-owns the Last Ditch Mine and is a candidate for the Unity Party, Kate Higgins who owns the Long Branch Saloon and is a candidate for the Freedom Party, Porter Norris who is employed by Hamilton Fisk and is a candidate for the Liberty Party, Jeremiah Peck who is employed by the Gunsight Brickyard and is an independent candidate, William Watkins who owns the Great Western Boarding House and is a candidate for the Law and Order Party, and Dennis Winston who is the Deputy County Recorder and is a candidate for the Law and Order Party.As stated before, all questions from the audience are to be submitted in writing. Audience members are to refrain from speaking directly to the candidates or will be subject to the same $ 100 fine issued last night. If another candidate or party are directly referenced in a candidate’s response that person or party member may respond afterwards and debate will continue until the moderator feels the subject is exhausted.”Meanwhile, Jake Cook stares at his reflection for a long moment before shaking his head, "Damn fool, that you do." With a shrug he releases his reflection and pries the knife from the wood. Once the razor sharp hunting knife is back in its sheath behind his neck, Jake makes his way to the debate. He arrives late and takes a seat in the back, deciding he will hold his tongue because he has better things to do with one hundred dollars.Chester takes a seat at the debates next to Jake. "Hey, Jake. How are you doing? Let's hope the merger will help our chances in the election." "I am well, Deputy. No resting on hope, it will help your chances. We need to do more though, and we will." Jake says cryptically. Chester whispers back, "Are you talking about the masked riders or something else?" Jake smiles, "Chet, if you want to be top lawman here you got to clean up all the problems. Those masked guys are just one. See me after the debates." Chester nods, "I was just thinking about which to take care of first. Running from fire to fire is getting us nowhere."Judge Isby looks down at the stack of cards and states, “The first question is for Bill Watkins. Two weeks ago you made a statement that only human male property owners should be allowed the right to vote. Do you still believe that?” Watkins replies, “I do. I have great respect for women but they need to also learn their place. The inferior races also have a role to play in society but the key decisions should be left for human men.” Kate cannot believe her ears, Women needed to learn their place? If she'd had the $100 to waste, Kate would have gladly paid a fine to tell Wakins just what she thought of him and the place he thought women belonged in.Candidates Kate, Vera, Estaban and Vidkan all raise their hands to respond. Ibsy however says, “Please put your hands down, I think his response speaks for itself and needs no further clarifications.”Judge Isby checks the cards and says, "The next question is also for Mr. Watkins. "At the organizational meeting where voter registration was decided you came close to a physical confrontation with you party's candidate for Mayor. How unified is the Law and Order party if they have difficulty maintaining order among themselves in public?" Watkins gives a brief answer of "That was an emotionally charged morning and Mr. Condon and I have put that incident behind us."Dennis Winston raises his hand and says, "The question asks about Law and Order Party unity, as a Party member may I speak to that?" Isby grants permission. Winston says, "The Law and Order Party is not as united as it needs to be. The published platform was made prior to my joining and so I was not able to provide input, although I feel that getting the preliminary ideas out for discussion was important and wish that the other party's had done the same. Following these debates I will recommend that the platform be revised based upon public input from these sessions. By election day you can count on seeing from us a truly united party with a solid platform."Isby sorts through the pile of questions, softly muttering “Watkins, Watkins, Watkins, Watkins, ah” he then looks up. “The next question is for Estaban Fuente. What makes a saloon singer qualified to run for Town Council?” Estaban’s reply is in perfect English with barely a hint of an accent.“I have great love for this town. I visited my friends the Escobar family on this site before there ever was a town. I have respect for all races, feeling that no race is inferior to another. As to my fairness and equal perspective on race I encourage you to ask the various humans, halflings and dwarves of the town who know me to confirm that fact. And my involvement and interest in the town goes far beyond singing and playing music at the El Parador. I actively participated in many events at the town Festival in March as well my participation in the upcoming theatrical production of Romeo and Juliet.As for the council itself, I have prior experience of having served for sixteen years as a member of the Town Council of what is now the City of Los Angeles, California. I served from the years 1822 to 1838, the years immediately following the Spanish rule. After the Spaniards left the town needed to establish its own government and laws, not unlike the task facing Promise City today. And that community has prospered greatly in the last sixty years just as I hope to help this one do during the next sixty years.”Kate had not known that Estaban had been involved in politics before. She realized that she had never really understood the long lives of her elvan friends. Without thinking, she had felt their experience would match whatever appearance of youth or age they presented to her human eyes. That shift in thought was going to take some getting used to.It is easy for Nanuet to follow the sounds of people to Town Hall once he returns to town, where he does his best to slip amongst the crowd and next to Minerva without being too noticeable to others. Minerva wordlessly smiles up at him and affectionately squeezes his hand. She continues to listen to the debates while using her mirror to discreetly scan the room for absent reflections.The next half-hour is dominated by a series of questions regarding the oldest profession as Kate Higgins is asked her opinion of the Law and Order Party's position on ending prostitution, which she defends as a viable means for a woman to make money. This is countered by Bill Watkins who uses very blunt terminology to condemn the practice.Estaban Fuente then states his opinion, discussing how various races view the act of making love differently and who Watkins human-centric view should not be applied to all, adding that a significant number of humans in town don't agree with the Law and Order Party's view either, otherwise those businesses would have gone out of business.Dennis Winston then enters the dialogue, restating what Bill Watkins said in a more diplomatic manner and citing Drover's Hotel as a saloon in town that agrees that the profession is vile. Vera Blake states that while she personally is opposed to prostitution, and would never offer it under her roof, she recognizes that in a community with hundreds of single men that there is a demand for those services and they are best provided in safe and regulated locations that the town physicians can regularly visit.Kate followed closely as the candidates debated prostitution. There were no surprises to her in what was said, but she was pleased to hear the back and forth with little sniping. This was how a debate should run.Vidkan is asked his opinion of the Law and Order Platform's decision to have saloons close on Sundays. Through his translator her replies that he finds the idea ridiculous, that most of his supporters follow the Norse pantheon which does not observe that day. His religion has specific times of year as high holy days, and during those congregating in places to celebrate is encouraged.Watkins responds by telling Vidkan that the majority of the people in town follow the Greek/Roman Pantheon and if he doesn't like that he can pack up and leave. Dennis Wilson then speaks up to apologize for Watkin's prior remark and says that opinion is Watkin's personal opinion and not representative of the Law and Order Party. He cites the friendship between Mayoral Candidate Frank Condon and his friends the Escobar family, who follow the Native Elvan Pantheons.Estaban Fuente corrects him stating that the Escobar Family follow the Central American Wood Elvan Pantheon, not the one of North America, although the confusion is understandable as both are worshipped at Father Vadlez's church. Watkins is going to reply but is cut off by Judge Isby who asks Vera Blake a question about town services. Vera talks of the need to expand the Fire Department, pointing out that other fires might not occur on Sunday Morning when most of the firefighters happened to have been in town. Mr. Wilson was beginning to worry Kate. They weren't really hearing much of what his own thoughts were, rather he was spending his time keeping Watkins from sinking the Law and Order ticket.Jeremiah Peck is asked a question about what his Indian wife's influence will be on his decision making for the town if elected. He states that he and Cornflower have a wonderful marriage based upon mutual respect and that he values her input, but it is he and not her who is running for office so the final decision will be his. Bill Watkin's face is one of pure disgust as Peck speaks.Watkin's get the next question asking about his sponsorship of the Promise City School of Moral Values and if the town really needs two separate schools. Watkins says, "The gods-fearing human children of this school need to be brought up right. As the name of the school states, we instill moral values in the pupils. The school employs an educated and qualified teaching staff who will see to it that the children of this town are the leaders of tomorrow." Kate was actually rather surprised Watkins' comments stopped where they did. He was certainly indicating she and her staff weren't qualified, but he could have said much worse things.Chester listens intently. He wonders if having Watkins on the Law & Order ticket hurts them or helps. No doubt there are many in town who feel the same way Watkins does, but keep it to themselves. Hopefully there aren't enough to decide the election or Watkins way of putting things will embarrass them into not coming out for the vote.Porter Norris has remained quiet until now and the next question is for him. It asks, "Could you please explain to those assembled what the Liberty Party stands for?" He replies, "I certainly can, we stand for Liberty for all peoples. We will impose no rigid rules and restrictions on the people, allowing them to live and worship as they see fit. This town is growing rapidly with new businesses opening every day, the town council needs to be able to adapt and go with the flow, to encourage this growth. If you put shackles on this community it will die."Dennis Winston gets the next question, which asks his opinion of the Liberty Party. He states "I find them dangerous. They are comprised of many people who the town does not really know, and I would be concerned about turning over matters to those who may not have the best interests of the town at heart." Norris counters, reminding Winston that he managed the former Indian Head Saloon for over a year and knows many of those in town. Winston counters by pointing out that the Indian Head was closed down by its landlord for giving haven to criminals, specifically Johnny Ringo and his friends.Watkins is asked another question regarding the linkage between the Law and Order Party and the Greek/Roman Church. He replies, "All of us on the party are very religious people and it plays a part in our daily lives. However, that does not mean that we whole-heartedly support this untamed spitfire of a Priestess who has wormed her way into our midst. Her current dalliance with that wild savage who loiters in town is an abomination to our faith. She herself obviously knows that, since she sent him away for several days while her church leaders were visiting." Chester reflexively looks around the audience for Minerva. Who knows how she'd react.Kate bristled at the insult against her friends but clamped her lips shut. Dignifying that would a response would only serve to make others think it could be taken seriously. Before Minerva says something to incur a fine candidate Jeremiah Peck raises his hand and says, "May I provide clarification? I have worked with the man who was just referenced." Isby allows it.Peck states, "Mr. Watkins, the Priestess's friend is named Nanuet. He is not a loiterer, but rather one of the hardest working men that I know of in this town. He not only co-owns a livestock ranch a mile from town but also works for both the Lucky Lady Dance Hall and Saloon and the Gunsight Brickyard. He is a personal friend of myself and my wife Cornflower. His recent departure from town had nothing to do with the Priestess, he was meeting with the Territorial Governor in Prescott as a representative of his tribe."Watkins replies, "Figures you'd try defending him, since you cohabitate with a savage yourself." Isby pounds the gavel as a red-faced Peck yells back, "Cornflower and I are lawfully wed." Watkins yells back, "Bull Excrement, the true Gods recognize no such union." Chester starts at Peck's outburst. He looks at Judge Isby to see if the judge wants him to step in.Kevin Tomlinson bounds up onto the stage and steps in front of Watkins. His sudden movement causes Watkins and Peck to both stop talking. Isby pounds the gavel again and says, "Mr. Watkins, Mr. Peck, I will have you both removed if you cannot conduct yourselves in a civil manner." Tomlinson is handed a chair and takes a seat on the stage near Watkins. Chester relaxes when Tomlinson jumps up on stage. He settles back in his chair and waits for the next question.The debate resumes, with a lengthy exchange between Estaban Fuente and Dennis Winston about the Law and Order Party's plan to limit the hours of the town's saloons. Vera Blake gets an opportunity to make the suggestion of not closing saloon but instead having rules for curtailing noise at later hours. Estaban indicates that is reasonable and Winston says it will need to be considered but has merit. Both Porter Norris and Kate Higgins strongly disagree, saying that the saloons are important businesses in town and should not be restricted. Chester finds himself agreeing with Vera Blake. Of course that could just be because he lives in a saloon. In fact a general noise law would work too.The next question is for Vidkin Gerhardsohn which asks how he will be able to effectively serve when he cannot speak either English or Spanish. He replies through his interpreter "I have been able to communicate tonight with the help of my friend and I do plan to learn the local languages. I presently know three languages so learning another one or two should not be difficult."The next question is for Kate Higgins and asks why she has decided to run for office. She uses the question to launch into a scathing attack on the Law and Order Party's platform, calling them a group of closed-minded bigoted fools who feel themselves superior to all others." Isby ignores Bill Watkin's raised hand and calls on Dennis Winston who calmly and politely states "The opinion of a single candidate is not necessarily that of the entire party, in fact, it is possible that some candidates may be changed on our ticket upon further reflection. Our party stands for what the name states, Law and Order, if you wish for those for Promise City then we are the party you should vote for.The final question in the debate is for Estaban Fuente, which asks why he has not tried to join any of the political parties in town and will he vote for the candidates on them. He eloquently replies, "Obviously my race alone would preclude me from the so-called Freedom Party, as its mayoral candidate has a strong bias against non-humans. My positions on saloons puts me in conflict with the Law and Order Party. From past experience I personally do not trust Attorney Fisk and his friends, so that rules out the Liberty Party. And while I respect many people on the Unity Party they might find some of my own ideas too radical, so I would not want to reflect negatively on them.As to who I will vote for, myself and Mr. Peck will be two of them, probably a few Unity Party Candidates for the other Council Positions as well as Town Marshall. I am undecided yet as to Mayor, as I have great respect for Emery Shaw but Frank Condon I consider a personal friend." Kate smiled to herself at this answer. She had chosen to work within the party system out of a fear that most people would vote for an entire party. But like Estaban, she planned to pick and choose her candidates and hoped his statement would remind people they could vote individually.The debate comes to a close and Judge Isby invites people to return on Tuesday night for the final Town Council debate. Watkins and Winston leave together along with Zeb Cook, the three getting into an argument on the way out regarding Winston's final comment. Others begin to depart.</blockquote>

Verification