| I cannot believe this is my day. I AM MAYOR! It’s warm enough to walk into work this morning, so I do, along the river. Per usual, Miller is at his post in front of the Golden Pillar already, and it’s only 7 o’clock. He waves in my direction. “Well done, Madam Mayor, well done!” “Thank you!” I say. I don’t know how he does it – such late nights with Bitsy, then to be out there, clean and together. One thing’s for sure: Bitsy doesn’t hire the weak-livered. I was sure to put a copy of my job description in my briefcase before I left. My first order of business today will be drafting an advertisement for the Dispatch seeking the next head of tourism for Middle Valley. Much as I’d love to, I cannot maintain both jobs, especially with Bitsy on my team. I’m sure I’d lose focus. We’ll find someone else, and I’ll teach her all I know. Her, yes, her. It should be a woman. Keep up the feminine influence around here. I mean, think about the power brokers here: Bitsy, certainly, Shirley, Cassie, Elyse, though that one is quite bewildering … Hmm. Elyse. She certainly ran a fabulous campaign for Shirley. (She can’t help the fact that she was working for a viper.) And she knows people on both sides of the fence – the needy and the wealthy. The streets say she has a lot of money, thanks to her murderous ex, but I don’t have confirmation on that. This pittance of a salary wouldn’t be a problem for someone with Internet money, assuming she’s interested. I glide up to the storefront that I’ve called home for so many years and look up at the sign above me. Middle Valley Tourism Bureau. I had that sign painted up there so people would know right where to go as they approached the center of town – AND had six parking spaces (three on each side of the street) designated free so our visitors felt welcome. (I will admit to looking the other way when, every day, that crazy yarn proprietor Eliza parks in one of them, then scurries into her shop with her head down. Her business is hanging on by, if you’ll excuse me, a thread, so good for her. After all, she did assure me that I had her vote.) I step inside. A crowd is gathered in the middle of the room. My assistant, Jennifer, is beaming in my direction. “Good morning, Madam Mayor!” She points to the rest of the group, about seven or eight in number. They repeat in unison. “Good morning, Madam Mayor!” Jennifer scurries in my direction, arms outstretched, and I hug her back. “Now, Boss, we are celebrating today. We have some donuts and coffee, and over here is the mimosa bar.” She reaches for a full flute of the drink and raises it. “I’d like to propose a toast.” Everyone in the room moves toward the glasses, and each picks one up. “To our new mayor. We know how great it is to work for you here, and we’re sure … uh … whomever you pick, it will be great for them to work for you there, too. Cheers!” “Cheers!” I say, realizing that this is Jennifer’s way of asking for a job. The group mills about, laughter popping up from the discussions. I pull Jennifer aside. “I’d love to have you join me in the Mayor’s office. Why don’t you send me a resume and we’ll see what we can do? Maybe as chief of staff or operations …” Jennifer smiles. “I will. Shhh. Don’t tell David. I think he has some interest, too.” I shake my head. “No, we need him in IT here. I’d like for you to join me, though.” Jennifer nods. “Great, I’ll do it today.” Just as we clink glasses, I see David approaching out of the corner of my eye. “Ms. Moreno, congratulations,” he says, extending his hand. I set my glass down as he does and accept his hand. “I will miss this place, for certain,” I tell him. “I’m sure …yes, I’m sure. Well, keep me in mind over there as you build your team. I mean, I love the travel and tourism industry, but serving the town would be smashing, just smashing.” I nod. “I will. Thank you, David.” I walk to my office as the staff members settle into their desks, donuts and champagne at the ready. I doubt much work will get done today, but that’s okay. I doubt I’ll get much work done today either. The success or failure of this term will lie in the strength of the people I put on the team. I know Jennifer, and she’s as together as they come, so she’ll be fine. And with Bitsy involved at such a granular level in business development and handling partnership meetings, she’ll need a solid team member to support her. I’m certain Jennifer is it. As for the others … perhaps Bentley for parks and rec. He seems to know his way around vehicles (given his business), and I know everyone was thrilled with his work fixing up the park after the Mick statue was removed. Jennifer walks into my office just then. “Call for you from Silas Morgan. Wants to congratulate you and discuss future security concerns for Middle Valley at some point.” Silas, of course. Now there is a call I will most certainly return. |
Gunnar Olafsson