18430417 16:22:32

18430417 16:22:32

The remainder of food scrap left on Daron's plate was cold by the time Bernard Leeland had taken the last bite of his steak into his mouth. While he ground the meat in his mouth in the same consistently languid rhythm, Daron became increasingly uncomfortable in his surrounding and had to focus to not let his face reveal as much. He studied the gold trim at the corners of the high walls and the goil plated frames around the massive scenic oil paintings inside them. He looked down to see the unused place setting to his right and marveled at the meticulously placed five forks and four spoons; in doing so, he thought back to when he was in the log cabin and didn't possess more than five forks in total. The sound of Bernard's cutlery being gently placed on the china plate gave a faint echo in the large dining hall. The jarring echo compelled Daron to look up and gaze into the various cuts of crystal in the chandelier above the center of the table.
"Would you care for a cigar?"
His sudden question fed into Daron's nerves and caused him to face Bernard with a reflexive twist of the torso.
"Oh uh, yes, a cigar? I appreciate the offer and I would like one if you don't mind."
"It's in this box here, please help yourself." Bernard lifted the metallic handle upon the lid gently from the wooden box and removed a brown cigar from inside, and turned to look at him while holding the lid in the air. Daron quickly reached in and procured his own. The cigars were pre cut and felt damp enough to the touch that they seemed to leave a trace of tobbaco residue in the fingertips. Daron noticed the tray of matches at the side of the cigar box, but waited for Bernard to get one first. Daron though the cigar tasted more mild than what he had usually smoked.
"Daron, I pray that I'm not going to be too direct in saying this, but I think there's no other way to make the proposition. The reason that I called you to dine with me tonight is to discuss the future of the mayoral position in your town."
"You're looking to become mayor?"
"No, though I could see why you would think so with me having said that first. No, Daron, what I have in mind is that you inaugurate an election for the position of mayor. By giving that to the people, it would make your town seem more democratically open, and doing so would be a good way to encourage more people and businesses to migrate here. I think this town is large enough to justify it, and after seven years of you being the de facto mayor of the town, I think it might be time for you to earn that title honestly or graciously step aside to whoever does so."
"I can see the reasoning behind that, yes. But I do not envy a future of politicking in my own city just for the sake of being its elected mayor."
"I don't think you would have to do much of that at all. The citizens who live here now already know you for your qualities of leadership and your manner of public presentation. They will not be looking for you to make grand orations like that of Edward Everett. Were I you, I would simply stand on my record of accomplishments regarding the founding of the city and what kind of commerce and population it has already fostered."

tbc

18430522

Bernard Leeland had the entire saloon table covered in newspaper, and continued to switch the one in his hand for another lying in front of him, hurriedly scanning the columns and advertisements. He had no need to read the celebratory paragraphs about mankind's victory over the fallacious prediction of its cessation. The reports of trade prices from the various cities went in and out of his mind with nothing to be considered remarkable.

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