i see the strings that control the system

[hellisforchildren]

WHO: Your Acting Mayor and OPEN
WHERE: City Hall!
WHEN: Sunday, May 8th through Thursday, May 12th
WARNINGS: None yet?
SUMMARY: Alex is doing his best to run things, feel free to bug him with issues, complaints, offers of help, attempted punches to the face, whatever!
FORMAT: WORDS, but make sure to mention when you're visiting in the subject line!

He'd set up food lines, he'd begun establishing a peacekeeping network, he had people in place to handle the power plants, the biggest jobs were out of the way. He even had someone else picking up the slack. There were still things to do, there would always be things to do, but for right now, just for this one moment, he thought he might get a moment's rest.

Boy, was he ever in for a surprise.

Comments

[trueltning_fury]

[he modestly waves it off and chooses to stand, gloved hands at his sides]

I have not been in touch with the rest of the police force, no. I know Jack Bauer is still in his position, but we haven't spoken.

It's... [sigh] ...on the edge of chaos. Not having any vehicles on the streets helps, but by being visible I've become a target of children wanting to know where their parents are. They're starting to get scared, and I don't blame them.

[a bit of a stern frown] Can we trust that something like this will just wear off after time?

[hellisforchildren]

[ Alex slumps back into his seat, rubbing at his temples. ]

I can really only hope so, but the best we can do is run damage control in the meantime. You've just gotta...I don't know, try to be nice and give them a satisfactory answer.

[trueltning_fury]

[eyebrow raise. Did he really just say "nice?"]

...I don't do well with children.

You'll want to watch for packs of teen-aged ones forming into gangs, though. They may still be young but they have enough control over themselves to make bad choices and gather others together.

[another pause, and he eyes Alex warily] Has anyone from outside the City offered to take command in the mayor's absence?

[hellisforchildren]

They haven't. I think a lot of the folks around are scared of trying with a City like ours, between the imPorts and our history of catastrophe. For now, you're stuck with me. [ Of course, it's not like Alex would let them, anyway. ]

As for your gangs, hearing that they're sticking together to help each other survive isn't a problem, that's for the better. Just keep an eye on them, make sure they aren't causing trouble or hurting anyone else.

If you can get them to help you keep the peace around th area, that's all the better. [ He scoffs. Sorry, Geddoe, but your underlying problem here is funny in a way that he can't help it. ] If you don't work well with kids, well, no time to learn like the present.

[trueltning_fury]

[oh, it's hilarious to anyone who isn't Geddoe. All the more reason for him to scowl]

They're not about to listen to an 'old man.' Small children can be intimidated, but the older they are, the more likely they'll be troublemakers. To assume that due to their age they'll be altruistic and want to help each other is naive. I don't plan on hurting any of them, but the more snide remarks I get the more I itch to teach them what age really means.

[another sigh; he's not satisfied with the state of outside assistance. If that's true, he's got a bone to pick with the government]

You have not asked for assistance directly since Saturday. Is it going that smoothly? [subtle undercurrent of doubt]

[hellisforchildren]

[ And now Alex is just giving him a look. But he's making it look more like a disapproving leader than a petulant teenager by leaning back in his seat and netting his fingers. This is exactly the kind of dude who could've learned something from this situation. ]

I'm not saying they're automatically altruistic, I'm just saying they're not necessarily as given to trouble as you seem to think. You stop them if they do start trouble, but don't expect they'll respect you just because you're an adult, especially if you're giving them that kind of attitude.

As for not being in touch, like I said, I delegated all that out to the Red Queen. Anything you would've needed to hear, you would've gotten from her.

[trueltning_fury]

[good thing Geddoe is so practiced at concealing his thoughts and feelings so well behind that stoic frown. He had a lot of them working at the moment, not the least of which was "just like every other young punk." Nope, keeping that to himself and betraying nothing in his expression]

It wasn't a plea for staying in touch. I was merely making an observation. And you haven't answered my question.

[hellisforchildren]

[ Clearly they would not get along very well if the circumstances hadn't forced them to. ]

I wouldn't say they're going completely without a hitch, given what all we're dealing with, but they're going as well as we could hope right now.

[trueltning_fury]

[clearly~...he nods. That's as satisfactory of an answer as he'll take right now]

Very well, then. I suppose I should actively coordinate with Jack to stay abreast of developments. I think I've learned enough here to satisfy my curiosity.

[hellisforchildren]

Yeah, you do that.

[ Sooner he's gone, the better, as far as Alex cares. ]

[trueltning_fury]

[well, here you go, Alex. He just gives a curt, authoritative nod and turns to go as abruptly as he showed up. He's like that. As long as you're not a Harmonian bishop, he doesn't have to play games of politeness]