The press are already gathered. Mayor-to-be-Aeshma is coming later, and the journalists are swarming. Literally, in the case of one fellow (or possibly woman) who looks like a giant bee.

I push my way to the front, using my pencil as a weapon, and settle in to wait for the candidate.

//Dagfari? Get the cell ready. I'm going to need to teleport back in a hurry.//

//Yes, Miss. And try and catch that bear, will you?//

"Vo.. volunteer??"

"Your heart quails?"

"No. No. It's just. . . I've done this before." I shudder at the memory of bad coffee , frayed nerves and pomposity.

Knut pats my back, sending me several feet off the sidewalk. "Fear not. The campaign will be sore trial, but we shall prevail for our cause is just and our tactics spring from the brain of Hecubus. Besides, we can bring our own food, and we'll really be getting on Aeshma's nerves."

"Okay. I'm up for it. Also, campaign flyers."

"Hmmmm. How about 'Aeshma: Willing to Pay Top Dollar for Your Vote'?"

"Knut, that's brilliant! Every lowlife in the city will be banging down Aeshma's door. Ooh! We could also advertise free foood at all Aeshma events."

"And order dozens of pizzas for his campaign headquarters!"

"I'm sold. Let's go sign up for polling duty - they always need people. We might try to infiltrate Aeshma's HQ while we're at it."

I killed the thread.

shaking fist at self

You bastard!

It's just resting.

Beautiful plumage, isn't it, guvnor?

FWIW, I'm kind of at a loss. Someone must know what happens next!

Well, it's an election, right? There needs to be a debate.

Also, maybe a quick recap is in order, but then there's that whole "I'm really lazy," thing.

t A crowd chanting.

"Re-Count! Re-Count! Re-Count!"

t Booming voice from above.

"I said re-*CAP*, you imbeciles!"

I was thinking debate, and then I was thinking POV, and then I was thinking I would need to create another avatar, and then I whimpered and curled up in the corner.

Dude, this whole conversation is so meta.

I was thinking debate, and then I was thinking POV, and then I was thinking I would need to create another avatar, and then I whimpered and curled up in the corner.

Yeah, I was thinking off screen, with the characters watching it on TV. I mean only one of the characters who'd be involved actually talks.

Dude, this whole conversation is so meta.

How scary is it that we're about this close to starting a Sang Sacre Bureaucracy thread.

Just back away slowly, folks.

"Don't even think it," I say quietly to Bob the Vampire. "Put the remote down and back away."

"But--it's on every channel!"

"Yeah, so?"

"I hate politics! It was tiresome back when you had fun guys like Jefferson and Adams around, it's tiresome now."

"You don't have to watch it. Besides, they're just advertising the debate, it's not even completely scheduled yet. Just be patient--" I give him a suspicious look "--unless this is your way of trying to destract me from the fact that you're watching Charmed repeats again."

"Not! Wouldn't! Maybe."

"Look, we managed to snag that advance copy of the Two Towers extended DVD, let's just watch that."

"Hoo yeah! Eowyn kicking ass."

"You're so predictable." We settle onto the sofa, both with our own bowls of popcorn, as Bob tends to bogart it all if I let him. "Achmed, it's starting!"

"Be right there, sitt! I'm finishing the falafel!"

I look up at Bob. "You do know I'll be watching the debate, right?"

"You don't love me anymore."

"We'll discuss that later. Hush, it's the pretty mountains shot."